Battle of Guam (1941) facts for kids

The First Battle of Guam was a short but important fight during World War II. It happened on December 8, 1941, on the island of Guam. Guam is a small island in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This battle was between the country of Japan and the United States.

Japanese forces attacked the island. They quickly defeated the American soldiers and sailors defending Guam. After the battle, Japan took control of Guam. They occupied the island for nearly three years. The United States finally took Guam back in 1944 during the Second Battle of Guam.

What Was Guam Like Before the Battle?

Guam is a small island, but it was very important. It was a territory of the United States. This meant it was part of the U.S. but not a state. Guam was a key stop for ships and planes traveling across the Pacific. It had a small naval base and a radio station.

The American forces on Guam were not very large. They mostly included U.S. Marines and Navy personnel. There were also some local Guamanians who helped defend the island. They had older weapons and not many supplies. They were not ready for a big attack.

Why Did Japan Attack Guam?

Japan attacked Guam on the same day they attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This was part of a larger plan. Japan wanted to expand its power in the Pacific. They needed to control islands like Guam. This would help them protect their new territories. It would also make it harder for the United States to fight back.

Controlling Guam meant Japan could use it as a base. They could launch planes and ships from there. This was a big advantage for them in the early parts of the war.

The Battle Begins

The Japanese attack started early in the morning. Japanese planes bombed the island. They targeted the naval station and other important places. The American defenders tried to fight back. But they were greatly outnumbered.

Soon after the air attacks, Japanese soldiers landed on Guam. They came ashore in different places. The American forces fought bravely. However, they were quickly pushed back. The fighting lasted only a few hours.

The USS Penguin

One important event involved the American ship, the USS Penguin. This was a small minesweeper. It was attacked by Japanese planes. The crew tried to defend their ship. But the damage was too great. The captain decided to sink the ship. This was done so the Japanese could not capture it. Most of the crew survived and made it to shore.

The Outcome and Occupation

By the end of the day, the American forces surrendered. They had no way to win against the much larger Japanese invasion force. Many American and Guamanian defenders were taken as prisoners of war.

Japan then began its occupation of Guam. This period lasted for about 31 months. Life on Guam changed a lot under Japanese rule. The islanders faced many hardships. They had to wait until 1944 for the United States to return and free the island.

Images for kids

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  Japanese landings on Guam

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  Another illustration of the route Japanese forces followed during the invasion

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  USS Penguin, an American minesweeper attacked during the battle

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  Captain Haviland of the USS Penguin (bottom row, 2nd from right) as a prisoner of war

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Guam (1941) para niños