VI. The World Wars and the Interwar Period, 1914–1945 > K. World War II, 1939–1945 > 14. The War in the Pacific, 1941–1945 > 1944, Feb. 2
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1944, Feb. 2
 
Invasion of the Marshall Islands. Roi (Feb. 3), Kwajalein (Feb. 6), and an air base in Eniwetok (Feb. 20) were seized by the U.S. troops. On March 1 American troops landed on the Admiralty Islands, and new landings were achieved in New Guinea (April 24) at Hollandia and Aitape. The Schouten group was invaded (May 28) and the Marianas (June 16).  1
 
June 16
 
U.S. superfortress bombing planes raided the Japanese home island of Kyush, opening a campaign of destructive attacks on Japanese cities which ended only with the Japanese capitulation.  2
 
Aug. 11
 
The reconquest of Guam was completed. On the Indian frontier the last Japanese invaders were driven back to Burma.  3
 
Sept. 14
 
American forces disembarked on Morotai in the Molucca Islands, and on the Palau Islands in the Carolines (Sept. 15).  4
 
Oct. 19
 
U.S. invasion groups, commanded by MacArthur, landed on the island of Leyte, opening the campaign for the reconquest of the Philippines.  5
 
Oct. 21–22
 
SECOND BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA. The Japanese fleet, having failed to halt the invasion, withdrew from Philippine waters (Oct. 25). It had suffered 40 ships sunk, 46 damaged, and 405 planes destroyed. More U.S. forces were promptly landed on the island of Samos (Oct. 26).  6
 
Nov. 26
 
A new phase of the Pacific war opened with the initiation of raids on Japan by U.S. land-based B-29 bombers operating from Saipan in the Marianas.  7
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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