Battle of the Philippine Sea in World War II

Battle of the Philippine Sea in World War II The Battle of the Philippine Sea was fought on June 19-20, 1944, as part of the Pacific Theater of World War II (1939-1945). Having island-hopped across the Pacific Ocean, Allied forces advanced on the Mariana Islands in mid-1944. Seeking to block this thrust, the Imperial Japanese Navy dispatched a large force to the area. In the resulting battle, Allied forces sank three Japanese aircraft carriers and inflicted crippling losses on the Japanese fleet air arm. The aerial battle proved so one-sided that Allied pilots referred to it as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. The victory allowed Allied forces to isolate and eliminate Japanese forces on Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. Background Having recovered from their earlier carrier losses at the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Solomons Campaign, the Japanese decided to return to the offensive in mid-1944. Initiating Operation A-Go, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, committed the bulk of his surface forces to striking at the Allies. Concentrated in Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawas First Mobile Fleet, this force was centered on nine carriers (5 fleet, 4 light) and five battleships. In mid-June with American forces attacking Saipan in the Marianas, Toyoda ordered Ozawa to strike. Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, IJN.   Public Domain Steaming into the Philippine Sea, Ozawa counted on support from Vice Admiral Kakuji Kakutas land-based planes in the Marianas which he hoped would destroy a third of the American carriers before his fleet arrived. Unknown to Ozawa, Kakutas strength had been greatly reduced by Allied air attacks on June 11-12. Alerted to Ozawas sailing by U.S. submarines, Admiral Raymond Spruance, commander of the U.S. 5th Fleet, had Vice Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58 formed near Saipan to meet the Japanese advance. Consisting of fifteen carriers in four groups and seven fast battleships, TF-58 was intended to deal with Ozawa, while also covering the landings on Saipan. Around midnight on June 18, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, alerted Spruance that Ozawas main body had been located approximately 350 miles west-southwest of TF-58. Realizing that continuing to steam west could lead to a night encounter with the Japanese, Mitscher asked permission to move just far enough west to be able to launch an air strike at dawn. Battle of the Philippine Sea Conflict: World War II (1939-1945)Dates: July 19-20, 1944Fleets and Commanders:AlliesAdmiral Raymond SpruanceVice Admiral Marc Mitscher7 fleet carriers, 8 light carriers, 7 battleships, 79 other warships, 28 submarinesJapaneseVice Admiral Jisaburo OzawaVice Admiral Kakuji Kakuta5 fleet carriers, 4 light carriers, 5 battleships, 43 other warshipsCasualties:Allies: 123 aircraftJapan: 3 carriers, 2 oilers, and approximately 600 aircraft (around 400 carrier, 200 land-based) Fighting Begins Concerned about being lured away from Saipan and opening the door for the Japanese slip around his flank, Spruance denied Mitschers request stunning his subordinate and his aviators. Knowing that battle was imminent, TF-58 deployed with its battleships to the west to provide an anti-aircraft shield. Around 5:50 a.m. on June 19, an A6M Zero from Guam spotted TF-58 and radioed a report to Ozawa before being shot down. Operating on this information, Japanese aircraft began taking off from Guam. To meet this threat, a group of F6F Hellcat fighters was launched. Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher.   U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command Arriving over Guam, they became engaged in a large aerial battle which saw 35 Japanese aircraft shot down. Fighting for over an hour, the American planes were recalled when radar reports showed inbound Japanese aircraft. These were the first wave of aircraft from Ozawas carriers which had launched around 8:30 a.m. While the Japanese had been able to make good their losses in carriers and aircraft, their pilots were green and lacked the skill and experience of their American counterparts. Consisting of 69 aircraft, the first Japanese wave was met by 220 Hellcats approximately 55 miles from the carriers. A Turkey Shoot Committing basic mistakes, the Japanese were knocked from the sky in large numbers with 41 of the 69 aircraft being shot down in less than 35 minutes. Their only success was a hit on the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). At 11:07 a.m., a second wave of Japanese aircraft appeared. Having launched shortly after the first, this group was larger and numbered 109 fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers. Engaged 60 miles out, the Japanese lost around 70 aircraft before reaching TF-58. While they managed some near misses, they failed to score any hits. By the time the attacked ended, 97 Japanese aircraft had been downed. Fighter plane contrails mark the sky over Task Force 58, during the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot phase of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 29, 1944.   U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command A third Japanese attack of 47 aircraft was met at 1:00 PM with seven aircraft being downed. The remainder either lost their bearings or failed to press their attacks. Ozawas final attack launched around 11:30 a.m. and consisted of 82 aircraft. Arriving in the area, 49 failed to spot TF-58 and continued on to Guam. The rest attacked as planned, but sustained heavy losses and failed to inflict any damage on the American ships. Arriving over Guam, the first group was attacked by Hellcats as they attempted to land at Orote. During this engagement, 30 of the 42 were shot down. American Strikes As Ozawas aircraft were launching, his carriers were being stalked by American submarines. The first to strike was USS Albacore which fired a spread of torpedoes at the carrier Taiho. Ozawas flagship, Taiho was hit by one which ruptured two aviation fuel tanks. A second attack came later in the day when USS Cavella struck the carrier Shokaku with four torpedoes. As Shokaku was dead in the water and sinking, a damage control error aboard Taiho led to a series of explosions which sank the ship. Recovering his aircraft, Spruance again held off turning west in an effort to protect Saipan. Making the turn at nightfall, his search aircraft spent most of June 20 trying to locate Ozawas ships. Finally around 4:00 p.m., a scout from USS Enterprise (CV-6) located the enemy. Making a daring decision, Mitscher launched an attack at extreme range and with only hours remaining before sunset. Reaching the Japanese fleet, the 550 American aircraft sank two oilers and the carrier Hiyo in exchange for twenty aircraft. In addition, hits were scored on the carriers Zuikaku, Junyo, and Chiyoda, as well as the battleship Haruna. Japanese Carrier Division Three under attack by United States Navy aircraft from Task Force 58 in the battle of the Philippine Sea, late afternoon of June 20, 1944. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command   Flying home in the darkness, the attackers began to run low on fuel and many were forced to ditch. To ease their return, Mitscher daringly ordered all of the lights in the fleet turned on despite the risk of alerting enemy submarines to their position. Landing over a two-hour span, the aircraft set down wherever was easiest with many landing on the wrong ship. Despite these efforts, around 80 aircraft were lost through ditching or crashes. His air arm effectively destroyed, Ozawa was ordered to withdraw that night by Toyoda. Aftermath The Battle of the Philippine Sea cost Allied forces 123 aircraft while the Japanese lost three carriers, two oilers, and approximately 600 aircraft (around 400 carrier, 200 land-based). The devastation wrought by American pilots on June 19 led one to comment Why, hell it was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home!† This led to the aerial fight earning the name The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. With the Japanese air arm crippled, their carriers only became useful as decoys and were deployed as such at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While many criticized Spruance for not being aggressive enough, he was commended by his superiors for his performance.

A Childs Promise.

A Childs Promise. This Friday night seemed just like any other with Mom and I lounging on the sofa watching the Grand Ole Opry. I could feel the joy that the Opry brought to my mom just by the look in her eyes as she watched, listened, and sometimes sang. Well she hummed more than she sang but that was my mom's way of singing. As we watched her eyes would glow. Sometimes I would see a sparkle. As I watched her I knew what I had to do. I hugged my mom and said "Mother, when I'm all grown up I'm going to take you there". Mom hugged me in return and said, "I'm sure that you will".As I started dinner, I turned the radio on and to my surprise the station was doing a special on The Grand Ole Opry. This brought my childhood memories roaring back. The Grand Ole Opry played on the radio in the kitchen every evening as Mom cooked dinner.English: Grand Ole Opry House, in Nashville, TN. T...She would hum and I would ask her to dance (as I had seen my father do). She would accept, especially if it were a slow song . Mom said that when it came to fast dancing she was afraid that she would break something and that with nine children she needed every thing she had to keep up with us. We would dance and at the end I would bow and say "thank you madam", she would courtesy and off I would go. Then I remembered the promise that I had made to her so many years before. I had a plan.The following morning at work I put in for a week of vacation. Next came the wait for the approval. One day turned into the next, the next into the following. I...

Online Shopping Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Online Shopping - Term Paper Example With the increased exchange of products via the internet, the economy has been able to gain tremendously. Secondly, online shopping requires the services of middle-businessmen who will transport the products to the buyers. The middlemen serve an important purpose of ensuring the products and services are availed at the most appropriate time. This creates job opportunities to the many people that are unemployed (Miller 121). With such a development, the new economy develops since there are some people that have a disposable amount of income which is spent in the economy. Therefore, it is evident that online shopping has developed the proceeds of the economy by creating job opportunities and enhancing the economy through constant exchange of products from the sellers to the buyers. Similarly, it has enabled constant flow of money in the economy since the quality of products is improved. The buyers and sellers are the first hand benefiters from online shopping. Online shopping connects buyers to sellers in a more elaborate and easy manner. First, buyers get to know the location of sellers and how they can be contacted. This eases the process of acquiring products and services. As such, the buyers will have an easy time in locating the sellers. Secondly, the buyers will not waste time looking for an appropriate supplier of the products that need (Rich 167). This is convenient to people that have a busy schedule. As such, they will spend limited time in contacting an appropriate seller of the products they need. Thirdly, buyers do not have to physically access the sellers’ shop for the products. They can make communications via the internet and provide all the information that is needed. This eases the... Online shopping has had an effect on traditional shopping in a number of aspects. First, online shopping has reduced the number of people that rely on traditional shopping. For instance, this has reduced the number of people that physically access shopping centers and the market to buy products and services. Secondly, online shopping has increased the number of people that use electronic cash transfers in buying products. This has affected traditional shopping since very few people carry hard cash. This has had negative effects on traditional shopping since impulse buying has been reduced. As such, people that do not use online selling tactics are disadvantaged. Thirdly, online shopping has changed the world in that people expect to be supplied with the products they have bought. Many people expect the products to be delivered at their homesteads and door steps after making a purchase. This affects traditional shopping negatively since it does not have such services.Though online sho pping has its favored advantages, it has a number of drawbacks. First, there are some products that are not sold online. This makes it hard for a seller to attract some customers online.

Topic to be decided summative assessment for master of midwifery Essay

Topic to be decided summative assessment for master of midwifery research methods - Essay Example However, it is worthy to note from the onset that there exist a good number of differences between the two study approaches. The existence of similarities is also another feature that this paper will attempt to bring out. It should be noted however that this paper gives precedence to the medical field specifically on midwifery and nursing. This paper attempts to look at what differentiates the two and at the same time what distances the two approaches. In this paper, the attempt is made to draw the distinctions between the two approaches. The paper will also present arguments as to why the two can be used on a complimentary scale as opposed to ignorance amongst them. In this paper the blending need will also be explored. A good medical research recognizes the interdependent nature between qualitative and quantitative research methods of inquiry. Unfortunately, having made the realization that the two methodological paradigms are quite complimentary, there exist a few stumbling blocks that make their application impossible due to some difference. To begin with, qualitative and quantitative approaches to research often use different sets of assumptions. These differences run across the fact that the two methods’ assumptions and world views are antagonistically orchestrated. To add more to this, their ways of learning differ significantly. A closer look into these assumptions delivers a view that portrays them as inevitably irreconcilable. This may explain why researchers are more often asked to focus on one of the methods while engaging in any kind of research. This is taught to allow them the freedom and the comfort to handle their daily learning and study activities. This may be the reason why the different exponents of the approaches appear to lean to their choice of approaches with little or complete disregard to the other. In that respect, the two approaches are rarely

Measles Outbreak in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Measles Outbreak in America - Research Paper Example Reasons for Vaccination It is difficult to comprehend why any person would want to halt or slow such progress, but maybe it is due to the misinformation of such individuals that forces people to ignore the effects of non-compliance. For starters, there is no definite treatment for measles. The only things that can be treated are the symptoms that are brought on by measles. During the post-eradication phase of measles, the highest number recorded for measles cases was as low as 37. This is according to the CDC, which was responsible for vaccinating the American public against the spread of the disease. Even the cases that were present had originated from outside the country. Since then, America is now recording its highest number of cases, which was estimated at over 600 cases at the end of the year 2014. In January 2015, over 100 cases were reported. In terms of vaccination, one dose of the MMR vaccine can last an individual a lifetime. It is meant to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The use of this vaccine has increased the reduction rate of measles cases by 99%. For a highly contagious disease, this is an incredible number, meaning the eradication of this disease is possible. The aim of vaccination is to elicit certain responses in the immune system, which are often similar to when one is infected with the measles pathogen. In response, the immune system produces antibodies that fight against the disease, which means the individual vaccinated does not build up any severe symptoms.

The Battle Of Iwo Jima

The Battle Of Iwo Jima During World War II on February 19, 1945, the United States of America and the Empire of Japan fought for Iwo Jima, a small island approximately 660 miles away from Japan. Codenamed Operation Detachment by the United States, the battle lasted for 35 days, ending on March 26, 1945, and it remains the largest battle in Marine Corps history, with some 75,144 men being deployed to fight (Frank). The battle of Iwo Jima also marked the first time that American casualties were higher than Japanese casualties in an amphibious assault. American casualties reached 24,733 while Japanese casualties were a little over 21,570 (Frank Naval History). This number was due to the leadership of the Japanese during the battle. The general who was in command of the Japanese forces at Iwo Jima was Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. During the battle for Iwo Jima, Lieutenant General Kuribayashi would show that he was one of Japans finest Generals. In preparation for the upcoming battle, Lieutenant General Kuribayashi chose to focus his defense on the Northern two-thirds of Iwo Jima, instead on the beaches where the United States would land troops (Frank). Kuribayashi knew that Japan would not beat the United States, simply because of the amount of soldiers the United States would send. Knowing this, Kuribayashi decided to not focus his efforts on the southern beaches and lose quickly to a superior American force, but instead Kuribayashi decided to create strong defensive positions on the rest of the island to increase the amount of American casualties. It was Kuribayashis belief that if his forces could inflict enough American casualties, the United States would not be compelled to invade Japan, fearin g that they would lose too many soldiers. In the Pacific Campaign of World War II, the United States used a strategy called island hopping, where the United States would attack a Japanese controlled island, capture it, and then repeat the process until they got to Japan. This was the United States strategy to defeat Japan, and the island of Iwo Jima was the next island to be captured. Iwo Jima was also strategically important because of the airfields located on it (Burrell). Iwo Jima was close enough to Japan where the United States could use the airfields on Iwo Jima to attack Japan through the air with B-29 bombers. This was the main reason why Japan defended the island so heavily. While the island of Iwo Jima was defensively important to the defense of mainland Japan, it was of little offensive importance because by this time Japans strategy was strictly based of the defense of mainland Japan. One Japanese officer described Iwo Jimas offensive relevance as such, Our first line Army and Naval air forces had been exhausted in the recent Philippines Operation. The anticipation to restore our air forces, bringing their combined number to 3,000 planes, could materialize only by March or April and even then, mainly because the types of airplanes and their performance proved to be impracticable for operations extending beyond 550 miles radius, we could not use them for operations in the Bonin Islands area (Burrell). Before the actually land invasion began, the United States bombed the southern part of Iwo Jima, three days before where they would land their troops. This is where American intelligence significantly failed in two ways. It underestimated Kuribayashis forces by at least a third, and completely missed Kuribayashis intent to make his last stand at the north end of the island, instead of facing the Americans head on at the south end. These errors ended up causing the misdirection of the three day bombardment, the heaviest of the war, to the southern landing beaches, instead of focusing on the northern side of the island, where the majority of Kuribayashis forces would be. When the land invasion did begin, Americans forces were met with no resistance by the Japanese. Instead of attacking the landing forces head on, the Japanese waited for the Americans to advance onto the beach, than ambushed them as they closed in towards the Japanese position. Not only did the ambush cause a great number of initial American casualties, it was difficult for the marines to fight back due to the terrain of the beach. Instead of the beach being made out of sand, it was full of volcanic ash, which made it hard for the landing forces to dig into the ground and defend themselves. One marine described it as, trying to fight in a bin of loose wheat (Frank). American forces were able to eventually break the Japanese line, and on February 23, 1945, the southern end of Iwo Jima was captured by American forces. As the United States pushed forward, they were met with heavy resistance from the Japanese who were well fortified and prepared to face the enemy. The more up north the United States went, the harder it became for them to fight. The Japanese had dug many bunkers into the terrain, and were successful at using ambush tactics against the marines which only made their advance more difficult. As the battle continued, marines started better adapting to fighting the Japanese on rough terrain, and with their superior forces drove the Japanese back until they could retreat no more. Marines fought for a long and tiring 35 days until on March 26, 1945, the island was officially said to be secure by American forces. In addition to being a historic battle in World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima has also had a significant effect on American culture. You can see traces of the battle in many art forms and popular media in America. The Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima, a picture taken by American photographer Joe Rosenthal, depicts five marines and navy corpsman raising the flag on Mount Suribachi, at the southern end of Iwo Jima, on February 23, 1945. The photograph became a symbol for American patriotism during World War II, and the picture was even commemorated by being put on a postage stamp. You can also see the battle depicted in a movie directed by Clint Eastwood called Letters from Iwo Jima. In the movie Clint Eastwood shows the battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese side, depicting what Japanese soldiers experienced as the battle was fought. The movie won an Academy Award for best sound editing, and was nominated for three more for its depiction of the historic battle. In conclusion, the battle of Iwo Jima was one of the most important battles in the Pacific front World War II. With the United States successfully able to capture the island of Iwo Jima, they acquired the airfields on the island. With these airfields now under United States control, B-29 bombers would now be able to use the island to launch aerial assaults towards Japan, and would be able to use it as a fueling station closer to Japan. The battle also showed the United States how far the Japanese were willing to go to defend their homeland. Out of the initial more than 20,000 force, only 1,083 Japanese soldiers were captured alive (Frank). This showed the United States that Japanese soldiers were willing to fight to the death to defend their home, and that if the United States was planning on invading Japan, the amount of casualties would have been catastrophic.

Charm City :: Essays Papers

Charm City The bitter winds blow off the Chesapeake as we drive the Uhaul down the old cobblestone street toward our new apartment. My stomach flips with excitement. I'm actually moving to Baltimore. "Charm City." "The City That Reads." (At least this is what all the bus benches claim, but I'm sure many would argue.). The city where a young George Herman Ruth, Jr. swung a stick at a small rubber ball in front of 216 Emory Street and nineteen years later, after signing a contract with the Oriole's, adopted the name "Babe." The city where in 1826, an 8 year old Frederick Bailey retreated from the chains of slavery by learning to read and 21 years later, as Frederick Douglas, published the North Star, an abolitionist newspaper. The city where once upon a midnight dreary Edgar Allen Poe pondered, weak and weary and suddenly there came a tapping at his chamber door. The city where Marci Koch, an aspiring artist at 27, unpacked a Uhaul on a brisk wintry day in March of 1999. Various structures of different shapes and sizes decorate the Inner Harbor. At night, the darkness defines the scattered brilliance of towers, glowing wonders reflected in the water. The Lord Baltimore Hotel, once the tallest building in Maryland, glows gold, noble and proud. The king on a giant chessboard. The Legg Mason building stands at his side, his reigning Queen. The Bromo Seltzer building glows blue, dark and mysterious. The slender, square pillar resembles a castle. Clearly his rook. And the others scattered about, his bishops, knights, and pawns. Sprinkled upon red brick sidewalks, restaurants, shops, galleries, and hotels display dazzling signs that flicker and flash. Barnes and Nobles, Planet Hollywood, ESPN Zone. The Hyatt, The Hilton, The Sheraton Hotel. The Aquarium, Science Center, and Port Discovery Museum. A huge red and yellow neon guitar sits on top of the Hard Rock Cafe. The strings blink back and forth vibrating in the night sky. I imagine if it was real, all of Baltimore could hear it playing "Big City Nights" by the Scorpians. The sounds of the city create a symphony. The soprano squawks of seagulls, saxophones that compliment the deep sounds from ships in the harbor- a long, drawn out