Pearl Harbor Facts: 7 Things You Never Knew About the Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the US naval base located at Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian Islands. The attack was an essential event in the history of two countries, and it became the cause of the entry of the United States in World War II. The attack is also remembered for its incredible surprise, leaving the US confused about what was going on at first. To this day, the dramatic events of Pearl Harbor have stirred a great deal of interest, both from those of us who lived through it, as well as those who are learning about its history. In this article, we will look at seven lesser-known facts about the Pearl Harbor attack.
What Actually Happened at Pearl Harbor?
Though the attack on Pearl Harbor remains etched in history as a dramatic and grievous event, there is plenty of misinformation about what happened that day. Contrary to some popular assumptions, the attack did not occur during a single airstrike. In fact, the attack consisted of two different raids, with the first raid commencing at 7:48 a.m., and the second at 8:55 a.m. The Japanese forces did not actually enter the harbor itself but instead unleashed a barrage of shelling and bombing from an estimated 353 planes into and around the harbor. Over the course of two hours, the Japanese forces destroyed or damaged over 300 American vessels, over 350 airplanes, and killed around 2,500 people.
The Americans’ Surprise
The Japanese forces had kept the plans of their attack on Pearl Harbor a closely-guarded secret, with only a group of high-ranking officers knowing about it before the fateful day. Part of the success of the attack is attributed to the fortuitous timing. In 1941, war had not yet been declared, and the US had assumed that the Japanese forces would come with a declaration of conflict rather than taking them by surprise. This twist of fate left the US forces unarmed and unprepared for the incoming attack.
What Could the US Have Done To Prepare for Attack?
It’s understandable to ask whether the US could have done anything to prevent the attack from happening, or at least to mitigate its impact. At the time, the US Defense Department had received reports indicating possible Japanese aggression, yet those reports were not taken seriously enough to act upon them. In addition, the US had no idea that so many Japanese forces were all the way out in the middle of the Pacific. Had the US taken earlier action, they could have had the time to strengthen their defenses on the Hawaiian Islands and even deploy forces out in the open ocean to counter the threat.
What Was the Impact on the US Public?
When word of the attack spread across the US, it sent the country into a state of shock and confusion. While people had feared the prospect of war, they were still taken by surprise when the Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor. The entire nation mourned the losses and felt the wrath of a powerful enemy. Immediately afterwards, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, and within a few days, a unanimous vote in Congress declared a state of war with Japan.
The Attack on American Pacific Fleet’s Airplanes
During the attack, the Japanese forces made sure to target the American aviation forces in the harbor. The Japanese pilots aimed to get to the aircrafts stationed on the tarmac to prevent them from taking off. To ensure they met their goal, they focused their attention on the US Navy’s Planes, eventually destroying most of the US’s parked aircrafts, resulting in the deaths of up to 50 US soldiers.
What Did the Attack Cost the US Navy?
As one of the most strategically placed US military bases of the time, the US Navy had suffered a major cost from the attack. Almost half of the US Pacific Fleet – more than 20 ships – had been sunk or severely damaged. Among them were eight battleships and four destroyers. Additionally, the US lost more than 350 aircrafts, primarily based in the air stations at Wheeler and Hickham Field.
What Were the Long-Term Effects of the Attack?
The attack on Pearl Harbor caused a significant shift in the perception of the US military and its role in the world. After December 7, isolationism was no longer an option, as the US was brought into the fray of a world war. The US declared war on Japan the very next day, and soon the Japanese had attacked other US military bases around the Pacific. The US fought back, ultimately leading to its victory over Japan. This event marked the beginning of American global engagement, signifying the dawn of the US’s superpower status.
The attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor remains a defining moment in American and world history, one that demonstrated the power of a surprise attack and led to the US’s entry in World War II. In this article, we explored several facts about this threat, from the planning required before the attack to the actual impact it had on the US Navy. The event also serves as a reminder of the importance of military preparedness and the vital role it plays in protecting a nation from external threats. We can only hope that we never forget the tragedy of Pearl Harbor and use its lessons for the betterment of mankind.