Story: Second World War

The war in the Pacific

This map shows the extent of Japanese expansion through the Malay peninsula and into the Pacific in early 1942. It also identifies some of the crucial sites involving New Zealand and United States forces in their response to the Japanese advance. The importance of the battles on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and the Americans' naval victories at Midway and the Coral Sea are evident.

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How to cite this page:

Ian McGibbon, 'Second World War - American counter-offensive', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/34579/the-war-in-the-pacific (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Ian McGibbon, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 May 2016