Centrifugal Offensive: The Japanese Opening Offensive in the Pacific: The wide-ranging campaigns seized much of Southeast Asia and numerous islands in the Pacific. Yet by the end of June 1942, the Japanese offensive had suffered two strategic defeats. What led to these reversals?

Other Articles:

• Operation Tidal Wave: Raid on Ploesti: One of the largest bomber raids up to mid-1943, the attack on Ploesti tested the capabilities of the USAAF in planning and carrying out the mission. The defenses were far heavier than expected. Operational mistakes and initiative figured highly in the outcome.
• Breakthrough at Sedan: Blitzkrieg Comes of Age: Though the German panzer formations would not reach the height of their operational effectiveness for another year, the lightning drive to the Channel coast represented the maturation of the concept of maneuver in which mobile operations overcome firepower.
• Demyansk: Hitler and Goring Learn the Wrong Lessons: Hitler’s stand-fast order and Goring’s ability to supply the Demyansk Pocket were successful in the first year of Barbarossa. Believing their Soviet enemies would not learn from these experiences would prove fatal the following year at Stalingrad.