*** World War II Pacific naval campaigns -- South Pacific Operation FS geography








World War II South Pacific: Operation FS -- Geography

aPcific War South Pacific geography
Figure 1.-- Here we see the geography affecting Australia and New Zea;and during World War II. The Japanese dominated the South Pacific from the Philippies south to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) as well as New Guinea and the Solomons. The Japanese realized that their new empire was not secure as long as Australia remained as an Allied bastion. Despite their vast conquesrs, the Japanese had not severed the vital sea lanes with America. A few small islands, including New Calenonia, Fiji, and Samoa off the mortheastern coast of Australia remained as a kind of protective shield for the still open sea lanes over which American men and equipment was flowing to Australia. And it was this island shied that the Japanese trgeted with Operation FS.

Geography is one of the major determinants of military strategy. And for the Allies it was the major determinnt of Pacific War strategy. As a result, emeny military movements could be basically sussed at by stuying the map. This is what the Japanese had to do. The Americans were aided by code breaking. Both were a factor in the Battle of Midway. Admiral Nimitz bet the ranch by committing his three available carriers at Midway. Had they failed, there is little doubt even without code breaking where the Japanese would strike next -- the island groups off the northeast coast of Australia (including New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa). There were other islands such as Tuvalu and Tonga hat the Japanese would have also sized, but New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa were their focus. Ne Caledonia in particular would play a major role in the subsquent nacal battles for Guadalcanal. These names do not rise high on any assessment of World War II island groups. But that is only because the Japanese had to cancel FS after the First Air Fleet's disaster at Midway. These islands were a kind of shield, protecting the sea lanes between America and both Australia and New Zeland. America ships were deliveing men and equipment in prodigeous numbers and quantity to Australia. Any Japanese offensive to seize Australia would have to begin by seizing these islands and severing the sea lanes. It is no accident that the first major effort of the America Pacific fleet was fought in the Coral Sea just north of these islands. That battle was fought to save Port Moresby, but the Japanese planned to return to the Coral Sea to seize the these islands as their next step after Midway.






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Created: 1:54 PM 12/28/2017
Last updated: 1:54 PM 12/28/2017