World War II - Collector's Box Set Vol. 04 (DVDs)

'The Fall of Japan, Part 1' Joining the war Japan proceeded their war of conquest throughout the Pacific nearly unhamperedly until 1941. However, the frivolous attack of Pearl Harbour and the immediate entry of the Americans into the war heralded their slow but irresistible downfall. Even initial successes of the Japanese forces like the conquest of Singapore were quickly undone by the achievements of the allies like the Burman victory by Australian troops. - 1941: Unexpectedly the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. America wants to take revenge - February 1942: Singapore surrenders to Japan - September 1942: In Burma the allies defeat the Japanese infantry for the first time 'The Fall of Japan, Part 2' From the battle of Midway in 1942 to the American revenge of Manila in 1944/45 the allied forces won nearly every important naval battle in-between and made slow progress in conquering lands. One of the most important moments was the air strike at Tokyo which almost destroyed the hole city. However, the war finally ended by Japan's capitulation after the launch of the two atomic bombs onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki. - 1942: Turning point of the Pacific War - America wins the battle of Midway against Japan - 1944 to 1945: On the Philippines the American troops fight their way through to Manila - 1945: Tokyo is razed to the ground. In order to avoid Japanese act of reprisal, America drops two atomic bombs onto Japan which, then, capitulates. The Pacific War is over. 'Pacific Island Battles' From 1942 to 1945 the allied forces reconquered numerous islands which until then had been occupied by Japan. The battle of the Solomon Islands in 1942 as well as the conquest of Palaus in 1944 are only two examples of countless legendary island battles during the Pacific War. In 1945, the capture of the island Iwo Jima being situated only 1,000 km to the south of Tokyo enabled the allies for the first time to attack Japan directly. - 1942/43: America wins the battle of the Solomon Islands against Japan which thus lose the upper hand in the Pacific War. - 1943: Gilbert Islands, Tarawa - due to strategic reasons America has to subdue Tarawa - End of 1944: America has to recapture Palau from Japan in order to be able to advance towards the Philippines. - 1945: America conquers Iwo Jima. The island is of highly strategic importance as it is situated only 1,000 km to the south of Tokyo. It is mainly used as a base to start off air campains. 'Victory & Conclusion' After America had dropped the atomic bomb onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan surrendered. The Pacific War against Japan as well as the Atlantic War against Germany was won. However, President Roosevelt's death overshadowed the joy and relief as he was very popular in the USA. More than 30 million people died in World War II. This figure and further statistics reflect in a horribly clinical way how unbelieveably cruel the Second World War had been. - The atomic bomb is invented (and dropped onto Hiroshima) in order to win future wars in a faster way; Roosevelt dies. - America and Russia celebrate their victory. - Conclussion: Counting of the deads, strategical key points.