Central Pacific campaign

The U.S.-led World War II advance across the central Pacific, capturing island bases and bypassing others to bring Allied forces within reach of Japan.

Island hopping: A military strategy that captures selected islands while bypassing others, isolating them rather than conquering them. The campaign used selective advances to secure bases without attacking every Japanese-held island.
Battle of Tarawa: A 1943 U.S. assault on the Japanese-held Tarawa atoll in the Gilbert Islands. Its costly landings exposed the strength of prepared island defenses and drove tactical changes.
Chester W. Nimitz: A U.S. Navy admiral who commanded Allied forces in the Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II. Nimitz directed the Central Pacific advance and its major amphibious operations.
Southwest Pacific campaign: The Allied advance through New Guinea and the Philippines toward Japan during World War II. It was MacArthur’s parallel route, distinct from Nimitz’s advance across the central Pacific.
B-29 Superfortress: A U.S. heavy bomber designed for long-range missions, used extensively against Japan in World War II. Marianas bases enabled sustained B-29 bombing raids on the Japanese home islands.
Amphibious warfare: Military operations that project forces from sea to land, often using ships, landing craft, and aircraft. Seizing the campaign’s island objectives required coordinated assaults from the sea.
Battle of Kwajalein: A 1944 U.S. amphibious operation that captured Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This rapid victory opened the way for U.S. forces to advance through the Marshalls.
Raymond A. Spruance: A U.S. Navy admiral who commanded carrier and amphibious forces in key Pacific operations. Spruance led major central Pacific campaigns, including the Marianas operation.
Pacific War: The major theater of World War II fought between Japan and the Allied powers across the Pacific and Asia. The central Pacific campaign was one major part of this wider conflict.
Strategic bombing during World War II: The use of air power to attack an enemy’s industry, infrastructure, and cities during World War II. The campaign brought U.S. bombers within range for an intensified air offensive against Japan.

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