Map Description

History Map of WWII:

The Western Pacific, New Guinea, and the Philippine Islands July - September 1944


Illustrating:

Allied Advances to the Palaus and Morotai

30 July - 17 September 1944

Between 30 July and mid-September 1944, the Allies undertook significant advances toward the Palau Islands and Morotai as part of their broader Pacific campaign. These operations were strategically designed to secure airfields and staging areas necessary for the eventual liberation of the Philippines.

The assault on the Palaus — particularly Peleliu (landings began on 15 September) and Angaur (landings began on 17 September) — involved intense amphibious operations and fierce combat against entrenched Japanese defenders.

Simultaneously, the landing on Morotai on 15 September 1944, provided the Allies with a critical base for air operations and logistics, enabling them to project power further into the western Pacific. These advances effectively isolated Japanese garrisons in the region and paved the way for subsequent operations targeting the Philippines.

Air Attacks on the Philippines

7-22 September 1944

From 9-24 September 1944, Allied air forces launched a series of concentrated attacks on Japanese positions in the Philippines. These air raids were intended to weaken Japanese defenses, disrupt supply lines, and destroy air and naval assets in preparation for the forthcoming invasion of Leyte.

The Far East Air Forces (FEAF) played a pivotal role, conducting sustained bombing and strafing missions against airfields, ports, and military installations across the archipelago. These attacks significantly degraded Japanese capabilities, contributed to air superiority, and facilitated the Allied landings that would soon follow.

Credits

Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.

Related Links

About the Second World War
WWII Timelines