The Whipsaw at Work: U.S.Mastery in Sequential and Cumulative Operations in the Pacific War
Abstract
U.S. joint-service commanders were extremely effective in their combination of sequential and cumulative operations in the Pacific War. In this analysis, effectiveness is evaluated in terms of the aggregate contribution of these operations in providing U.S policymakers with credible options to end World War II against a severely degraded Japan. Three U.S. efforts demonstrate the masterful balance achieved in the Pacific. First, Navy Admiral Ernest King led a masterful sequence across the Central Pacific to the Marianas Islands that placed the U.S in a dominant position to attack the Japanese home islands. Second, Army Air Forces General George C. Kenney and Army General Douglas MacArthur drove sequential gains that multiplied cumulative effects as demonstrated by Fifth Air Forces strategic reduction of Rabaul. Third, Admiral Chester Nimitz led a powerful submarine campaign that had three critical outcomes: it annihilated Japanese shipping, enabled the sequential advances that propelled the final U.S. drive on Japan, and eliminated Japans ability to sustain the war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1061990
Entities
People
- Brian D. Eno
Organizations
- Naval War College