US Liberation of Hawaii (Days of Infamy)

Ever since the first failed attempt to retake the islands in mid 1942, the US had been preparing it's self for the eventual return to the Hawaiian islands. Nearly seven months of preparation, the US was finally ready. Launching the biggest fleet in history, it dwarfed the Nagumo Strike Force that tore up the Pacific Ocean in early 1942. The fleet then engaged and destroyed the Japanese Task Force defending the islands, clearing the way for a great air assault on the islands. This attack then paved the way for the US ground forces who landed and engaged the air and land elements of the 25th Army, under General Yamashita, and the Royal Hawaiian Army. After reaching the city of Honolulu, the US Army was engaged in viscous street to street fighting with a regiment of the SNLF which reduced the city to ruin and killed many of the cities inhabitants. After fierce fighting, the Japanese were all defeated and the Kingdom of Hawaii was dissolved back into the United States. The Liberation of Hawaii marked the first time in the war, the Japanese fought a defensive land campaign, and lost.

Background
Even before the 2nd Battle of the North Pacific even got under way, the US had been secretly constructing an airfield on the island of Kauai, under the very noses of the Japanese who never bothered with the other islands. After the US Navy smashed the Japanese Navy north of Hawaii, the US Army Air Force launched the opening phase on the islands campaign by a coordinated mass strike against military targets on Oahu with B-17's and B-24 bombers. The attack achieved complete surprise and many of the Japanese own rifles were destroyed. After the bombing raid, they then flew onto the air strip where they landed and underwent refuelling and repairs. The Japanese Army Air Force struck back, and although they destroyed many bombers on the ground, it wasn't enough. Realising the Yankees where on their way, the IJA moved north. During their rule, the Japanese had employed POW's to work on defences and tank traps, so unlike the Americans who defended the island from their own invasion, the Japanese were prepared. After the bombing raid, the bombers continued to take off and bomb Oahu in preparation for the liberation.

Battle for the Skies
After the bombing raid by the US Army, the US Navy then spare headed an aerial assault on Oahu to take on elements of the Japanese Army Air Force. Hellcat fighters led the charge, while Wildcats provided cover for the bombers and dive bombers. The Army had at it's disposal the Zero fighters from Zuikaku, and the survivors of the Naval Battle, along with their own Hayabusa fighters, famous from it's battles in Malaya. Unfortunately, the damage to the airfields by the bombing raid prevented the Japanese from launching their full air power, and things only got worse. Although the pilots Oscar fighters were incredibly incredibly skilled and had battle experience in China, the fighters weakness of less armour and no self-sealing fuel tanks wasn't it's only problem. Not only was it noticeable slower than the Zero, It's armament of two rifle calibre machines were horribly inadequate against the heavily armoured Hellcats, who's own six .05-calibre guns insured that no Oscar pilots survived being shot down. Within a matter of days, the skies quickly succumbed to the Americans. Although the Japanese had built revetments and camouflaged them, they failed to do the same for their repair equipment, allowing it to be easily destroyed and preventing them from repairing the damage. The one technological advancement the Army had was the Hien fighter which was a capable match for the Hellcat, there simply weren't enough of the fighters available to turn the tide of battle. Within the first two day, all the Armies attack planes and bombers were destroyed. Within the next three, the IJAAF ceased to be an effective fighting force. Although devastated, the planes of the Japanese managed to damage a few support ships of the US Task force, and just before the loss of Wheeler Field, a lone Japanese Zero snuck through the fleet's CAP's to bomb the escort carrier USS Copahee before making a suicide attack against the fleet carrier USS Bunker Hill.

The Oahu Landing
After the victory at sea, the US Liberty Ship carrying an invasion force of two Marine divisions and three Army divisions made steam for the northern beaches of Oahu, launching their Higgins boats. Awaiting them, were the Japanese infantry, dug in well., but American dive bombers pummelled their positions as the US landed. The Japanese opened up with artillery as they boats approached but it only allowed the ships blasting the shore to zero in on their positions. As the Marines landed, the infantry charged them, but were quickly mowed down. The situation rapidly deteriorated as the US landed their tanks, and the survivors were forced to regroup and retreat. With the US Marines now ashore, the first US Infantry troops quickly followed. They reorganised themselves and pushed south, quickly overrunning Haleiwa and just as rapidly repairing it.

Battle for the North
With Haleiwa gone, and all airfields in the north under heavy attack, the majority of Japanese air power was forced back to Hickam Field. This meant they couldn't provide close air support for their own troops who were being mercilessly pounded from the air. Occasionally, the wild counter attacks of the Japanese would break though, but would just as quickly be forced back. During these counter attacks, the US forces discovered the grisly fate on those who had tried to surrender. Back in Honolulu, the decision was made to pad out the front line with Navy men, seeing as all Japanese ships were all destroyed, and Tokyo wasn't sending any help. Meaning that he would have to fight to the death, Yamashita was furious, but none the less obeyed. Meanwhile, as the US geared up for an attack on Schofield Barracks, the Japanese pre-empted the offensive with a sudden night assault. The attack failed and US pushed on within shelling distance of Wahiawa. As the US prepared for it's attack, King Stanley sent his own Army into the action in hopes of shoring up Japanese defences, while Captain Iwabuchi and the SNLF took command of the defence of Honolulu. The Hawaiian Army was thrown into the fight for Schofield Barracks with mixed results. While some units fought fanatically to the death, others chose instead to throw down their arms and surrender, leading to mixed opinions of the army from both sides. The Yankees then charged the barracks with tanks; though a few where lost to suicide attacks. This assault broke the Japanese lines and forced them to retreat, leaving what little remained of the army base in US hands. A few days later, they liberated what was left of Wahiawa.

Battle for the South
Half of the island had now been liberated. US Forces then regrouped for a major push south. Using close air support, the Marines then captured Wheeler Field, giving them a land air base in the south part of the island. By now, Japanese air power had ceased to exist. The US Navy then swung southward and began to bombard Pearl Harbor. This was the precursor to an amphibious assault by the Marines and Army against the harbor and city there. With both shore and air support the US troops landed and quickly overran the harbor, before heading into the city. This left Honolulu Harbor the only available port for the Japanese. Although offered an escape by submarine, King Stanley and his wife, along with the Japanese high command, chose to stay behind. General Yamashita, who had located his HQ to Pearl City, was killed in battle as the city fell.

The Battle for Honolulu
The fall of Pearl Harbor was seen to all as the final nail in the coffin for Japanese rule over Hawaii. What was left of Japanese forces withdrew into the city of Honolulu, and prepared to make a last stand. The Army high command along with the King and Queen of Hawaii, all bunkered up in the basement of the Iolani Palace and prepared for the inevitable. Meanwhile, the US finally attacked the city, but the defences of the SNLF twice repulsed them. A third charge, back up with mortars and artillery broke through their defences and a vicious street by street battle began. As the battle waged, and the city was destroyed, the IJA was separated from the SNLF as it retreated towards Iolani Palace, while Captain Iwabuchi and his men retreated to the Honolulu Hale. Having done all he could, Captain Iwabuchi lead the remaining Japanese Marines into the bowls of the building and had to be blasted out with flame throwers. He died defending the building alongside his men. Up at the Iolani Palace, the US Marines assaulted the Palace with mortars and artillery. The Japanese retreated into the Palace, Forcing the Americans to clear out the building floor by floor. As they did so, King Stanley and his wife committed suicide. The few Japanese troops left retreated through the residential area's of the city before making their last stand on the very sand of Waikiki beach it's self. After which not only the city, but the whole island had finally been liberated, but at a great cost in civilian lives.

Aftermath
With the death of the King and Queen, the Kingdom of Hawaii effectively ceased to be. The Japanese flag was hauled down and the Stars and Stripes was once more raised. People who had collaborated with the Japanese found themselves at the vengeance of the locals, and some where killed by mob brutality. Not only had thousands of average civilians had been effected by the occupation, but so had the whole islands themselves. Gone where the pineapple and sugar cane fields, and replaced with rice patties. The flag of Hawaii, which had been used for the Kingdom of Hawaii was quickly shunned by all, as everyone saw it as a symbol of the Japanese rule, rather than an independent Hawaii. The US forces were quick to rebuild all key military installations even as the battle had raged on. Pearl Harbor was cluttered with the wrecks of two fleets but was hastily being made ready for use at a speed which astounded what little Japanese prisoners had been taken. Of the thousands of Japanese personal who were on the islands, only a few hundred survived. Those who were left realised that the aim of the fanatical defence which had been to break American resolve had not only failed, but helped spur them on towards Japan.

