Maps of World War II
Maps of World War II > Pacific Theater 1944-45
Allied Plans for 1945

US Army and Navy leaders differed on the strategic direction of the war against Japan. Admiral Nimitz preferred to forgo occupation of the Philippines in favor of an invasion of Formosa to be followed-up with landings on mainland China. General MacArthur, supported by General Marshal, wanted to occupy the Philippines, then land on Okinawa and follow up with a landing on Kyushu (the southernmost of the main Japanese home islands). After this, they intended to strike Honshu.