The Japanese strategy for winning the Pacific war considered the island geography and perceived weakness of the opponent. The Allied air forces in the Pacific were small and weak. Japan planned to launch attacks from their bases in the Pacific and take out the Allied forces there and then develop those island resources to use as their own. In reaction to the U.S. attempt to conduct island-hopping, the Japanese made use of under-trained Japanese pilots who deliberately crashed into Allied ships, carried out balloon bomb missions, and engaged in hand-to-hand combat determined to fight to the death. Japanese kamikaze pilots during WWII flew a suicide missions, by loading their planes with explosives, targeting the enemy, and then deliberately crashing into the enemy. Americans and Allies who fought in the Pacific and were captured by the Japanese faced horrific conditions as prisoners of war. They were forced to work in mines, factories, railroads, and other places. Prisoners were beaten and starved. The Pacific Theater was important because winning in the Pacific opened up additional bases for the victor and ultimately success.