The Importance of Aircraft in World War II's Pacific War

From the moment the Pacific War began to the moment it ended, aircraft were of great importance during this conflict. The development of increasingly sophisticated bomber aircraft during the inter-war period allowed for more accurate bombing campaigns on military and industrial targets. In addition to this, new fighter aircraft designs could take these bombers out in larger numbers than anti-aircraft guns. As such, air superiority became an essential factor in the outcome of the Pacific War.

Before the Pacific War, both the Imperial Japanese Navy and the US Navy had invested greatly in the development of new aircraft carrier ships. Aircraft carriers could carry hundreds of aircraft to naval battles and other targets via the sea. As such, they were very flexible and could be positioned close to any coastal or island targets, or even naval fleets. With them, aircraft became all the more essential to naval operations and battles in the Pacific. No longer just for reconnaissance, the aircraft could now bomb other naval ships.

The perfect demonstration came at Pearl Harbor in late 1941. Here, hundreds of Japanese aircraft bombed US battleships and aircraft stationed at Pearl Harbor. The United States lost some battleships, although the loss of hundreds of aircraft that were clearly targeted by the Japanese was a double blow for the Americans. With their combined naval fleet and air force, the Japanese had scored a great tactical victory, providing the platform for further advances in the Pacific.

However, the importance of aircraft to naval battles had yet to be realized. This changed in 1942 during two battles, firstly at Coral Sea. The Battle of Coral Sea was the first naval battle in history that relied exclusively on aircraft and aircraft carriers. Now, the battleships were merely in support as aircraft sorties were launched towards the other fleet’s aircraft carriers and warships. However, the Battle of the Coral Sea was an indecisive battle.

Far more decisive would be the Battle of Midway, a few months later. During this battle, four Japanese aircraft carriers met three US aircraft carriers off Midway Island. Under Nimitz, the US fleet launched a devastating sortie whereby a few SBD dive-bombers broke through the relentless Japanese anti-aircraft fire to bomb three Japanese aircraft carriers. The impact was enough to sink all three, handing the Americans a big advantage in the battle. The Japanese were still able to bomb and sink the Yorktown after two sorties, although the Americans would also finish off their final carrier. As such, the battle ended with the Japanese losing four of their own aircraft carriers and hundreds of supporting aircraft. It was a battle won by the US bombers, which, despite the formidable Japanese A6M aircraft, were still able to sink the Japanese carriers.

By the end of 1942, it was clear that aircraft carriers and their aircraft were essential in the Pacific War. By sinking four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway, the Allies were now gaining the advantage in the Pacific War, and aircraft would become equally essential for land-based campaigns such as at Guadalcanal. During the Guadalcanal Campaign, Henderson Airfield became the key strategic target for both sides as the Japanese made numerous attempts to retake the airfield. The campaign involved thousands of aircraft in almost daily aerial battles between the Allies and the Japanese. In the end, despite the excellent A6M aircraft, which downed hundreds of Allied aircraft, the Japanese were not able to hold Guadalcanal and withdrew in 1943, which handed the Allies another significant victory.

Further naval battles in 1944 further demonstrated the significance of aircraft and increasing Allied air superiority. By this time, the Allies had developed more sophisticated aircraft such as the F6F, which was more than a match for the Japanese A6M. At the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the increasing obsolescence of Japanese aircraft became clearer as they lost a further three aircraft carriers and hundreds of aircraft.

By 1945, the War was seemingly all but over, although the Japanese had yet to surrender despite defeats at the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. However, the development of the A-bomb provided the Allies with a new weapon that could provide an alternative to an amphibious landing on Japan. As further calls for surrender were ignored, the Allies duly loaded the Enola Gay B-25 bomber aircraft with A-bombs that would be dropped on two Japanese cities.

The impact of the A-bomb was enough to win the war. Soon after, the Japanese surrendered unconditionally. As such, in much the same way as Japanese aircraft had opened the Pacific War, American aircraft had ended it.

Therefore, aircraft and their carriers won the Pacific War. Not just because of the Enola Gay, but because of US victories at the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In all these notable battles, Allied aircraft had been decisively involved in wiping out Japanese carriers, planes, and other military targets.

This article of mine was previously submitted to Medium.com, where you can read it here.