Pearl Harbor THE DAY OF INFAMY December 7, 1941 The goal of today will be to understand the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Background. The year is Japan has been waging a war of aggression in Asia since the 30s. Japan has conquered all before her. Her navy, army and air force are undefeated. Japan possesses modern technology and her soldiers use the latest thinking in strategy. Japan signed a pact with Nazi Germany and Italy because Germany looks like becoming the preeminent power in the West (Sept.1940). Called the Tripartite Pact. Only the United States of America is managing to curb Japan’s ambition by restricting her oil supplies.

Causes of the Attack… The U.S. demanded that Japan withdraw from China and Indochina Japan realizes that to succeed in her ambitions she must remove American influence from the Pacific. Because America is bigger and more powerful than Japan and a surprise assault is the only realistic way to defeat her. The U.S. oil embargo against Japan was hurting Japan’s economy

Imperial Japan’s First Air Fleet launches a surprise attack against the United States Navy (USN) based at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The President of the USA, Franklin Roosevelt, called it ‘a date which will live in infamy’ because the attack came before war had been declared. The result was that the United States joined World War Two as an ally of Britain against Germany and Japan.

. The islands of Hawaii Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, today. Ford island is in the middle, and battleship row is the dent on the SE side.

Battleship Row

Major Combatants Japan -Fleet of 6 Aircraft Carriers under the command of Admiral Nagumo and Admiral Yamamoto -Aerial Assault Force under the command of Mitsuo Fuchida United States - Pearl Harbor Naval/Army Base under the command of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and Lt. General Walter C. Short

Battle Sequence 5 PHASE ATTACK BY JAPANESE… (as noted by the U.S. Navy) PHASE 1: Combined torpedo plane and dive bomber attacks lasting from 7:55 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. PHASE 2: Lull in attacks lasting from 8:25 - 8:40 a.m. PHASE 3: Horizontal bomber attacks from 8:40 – 9:15 a.m. PHASE 4: Dive bomber attacks between 9:15-9:45 a.m. PHASE 5: Warning of attacks and completion of raid after 9:45 a.m.

Weaponry Used During Attack Japan Fighter Planes -135 Dive Bombers -104 Horizontal Bombers Torpedo Planes -A-At least 5 Midget Submarines

War craft (continued) United States -108 Fighter Planes (59 not available for flight) -35 Army Bombers (27 not available for flight) -993 Army/Navy Antiaircraft Guns

Eyewitness Account Commander Mitsuo Fuchida “Veering right toward the west coast of the island, we could see that the sky over Pearl Harbor was clear. Presently the harbor itself became visible across the central Oahu plain, a film of morning mist hovering over it. I peered intently through my binoculars at the ships riding peacefully at anchor. One by one I counted them. Yes, the battleships were there all right, eight of them! But our last lingering hope of finding any carriers present was now gone. Not one was to be seen.”

Casualties Japan -L-Less then 100 men planes -5-5 midget submarines United States -2-2,335 servicemen killed, 68 civilians killed, 1,178 wounded -188 planes -18 ships (8 battleships, 3 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, 4 other vessels)

USS Arizona

USS Arizona Burning: 1,100+ servicemen died on the ship

Eyewitness Account Marine Corporal E.C. Nightingale “I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me. As soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over him…He was dead…”

Eyewitness Account Lt. Ruth Erickson, USN (Nurse) “The first patient came into our dressing room at 8:25 a.m. with a large opening in his abdomen and bleeding profusely. They started an intravenous and transfusion. I can still see the tremor of Dr. Brunson’s hand as he picked up the needle. Everyone was terrified. The patient died within the hour.”

Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War with Japan - December 8, 1941 Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a

recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces- with the unbounding determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Effects/ Outcomes Japan dealt a seemingly crippling blow to the U.S. Pacific fleet (U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers: Lexington, Enterprise, & Saratoga were not in port) Japan began their quest for a Pacific empire The U.S. finally was forced to join World War II (“The Sleeping Giant was awakened”) The U.S. & Great Britain declare war on Japan (Dec. 8, 1941) Germany & Italy declare war on the U.S. (Dec. 11, 1941)