These events occurred in United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941.
The surprise was complete. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first hit its target at 7:53 AM, the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was all over. By 1:00 PM the carriers that launched the planes from 274 miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan.
The strike was intended to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and hence protect Japan's advance into Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, where Japan sought access to natural resources such as oil and rubber. 405 aircraft were intended to be used: 360 for the two attack waves, 48 on defensive combat air patrol (CAP), including nine fighters from the first wave. The first wave was to be the primary attack, while the second wave was to finish whatever tasks remained. The first wave contained the bulk of the weapons to attack capital ships, mainly torpedoes. The aircrews were ordered to select the highest value targets (battleships and aircraft carriers) or, if either were not present, any other high value ships (cruisers and destroyers). Dive bombers were to attack ground targets. Fighters were ordered to strafe and destroy as many parked aircraft as possible to ensure they did not get into the air to counterattack the bombers, especially in the first wave. Before the attack commenced, two reconnaissance aircraft launched from cruisers were sent to scout over Oahu and report on enemy fleet composition and location. Another four scout planes patrolled the area between the Kido Butai and Niihau, in order to prevent the task force from being caught by a surprise counterattack.
Behind them they left chaos, 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included 8 damaged or destroyed battleships. After this, United States declared war to Japan, becoming enemies of Germany and Italy, leading to World War II.
I have to admit, I only knew it had something to do with Japan and the US but I'd never pay attention to it.
ResponderEliminarIt is really shocking. I don't hate the US but, at least they have something of what they won't be proud. Besides, that is of what war is about.
It is amazing the number of death people, but it is even more amazing the revenge the US took, that if I am right, was the nuclear bomb.
This two countries are really violent, but Japan is not that much as the US.
I think America had have all these attacks because of their strong pride, that more than pride is a believe of omnipotence over all the world.
I knew alot about pearl harbor because i watched the movie, but obviously there's alot of stuff I didn't knew about! So it is great to learn more and ofcourse I feel annoyed by these kind of events because first, it is about war and second, I just don't like it.
ResponderEliminarwow, I didn't knew about this attack, I think i never saw the movie, but now i want to see:),
ResponderEliminarthis attack like all attacks are sad and increbile=/, i hate this things,