Wednesday, December 07, 2005

December 7, 1941: A date that will live in infamy...


FDR informs nation of attack on Pearl Harbor:


Powered by Castpost
December 7, 1941 a date that will live in infamy… It was 64 years ago today at 8: 00 AM on a Sunday morning Pearl Harbor, on the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii, was attacked by the Japanese Imperial Navy. The surprise attack had been conceived by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The force of 353 Japanese aircraft was led by Commander Mitsuo Fuchida. There had been no formal declaration of war.

The attack damaged /destroyed twelve U.S. warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned the raid as the start of the Pacific Campaign of World War II, and it was commanded by Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, who lost 64 servicemen. However, the Pacific Fleet's three aircraft carriers were not in port and so were undamaged, as were oil tank farms and machine shops. Using these resources the United States was able to rebound within six months to a year. The U.S. public saw the attack as a treacherous act and rallied strongly against the Japanese Empire, resulting in its later defeat.

Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships. Over half the U.S. Pacific fleet was out to sea, including the carriers. Simultaneously, nearby Hickam Field was also the victim of the surprise attack by the Japanese. 18 Army Aircorps aircraft including bombers and fighters and attack bombers were destroyed or damaged on the ground. A few U.S. fighters struggled into the air against the invaders and gave a good account of themselves. A total of twenty-nine Japanese aircraft were shot down by ground fire and U.S pilots from various military installations on O'ahu.


Links: Pearl Harbor Day Remembered
National Geographic: Pearl Harbor

Labels: news items

Posted by @ 9:50 AM
1 comment from:  Emory Mayne,