Pearl Harbor: Attack, Casualties & Facts

Hi i want that my history assignmnt any topic from 1939 to 2000 and rest i hVe attached my file with that please follow the instructions and tey to complete it by 9 march

Running head: ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Thesis:..............................................................................................................................................2
Background......................................................................................................................................3
Military Planning.............................................................................................................................3
Objectives........................................................................................................................................4
Attack...............................................................................................................................................5
Japanese War Declaration................................................................................................................6
American damages and casualties...................................................................................................6
Japanese losses and Possibility of third wave..................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

2ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Introduction
Pearl Harbor‘s attack was preemptive surprise military attack by Navy Air Service of
Japan against the naval base of United States on 7th December, 1941 in Hawaii. This attack led in
formal entry of United States in World War II following day. The military leadership of Japan
referred to the attack as Operation AI, Operation Z and Hawaii Operation during the planning
phase. Japan looked the attack as a preventive action for keeping Pacific Fleet of United States
from interfering the military actions within Southeast Asia against Netherlands and United
Kingdom’s overseas territories1. Over time period of almost seven hours, coordinated attacks of
Japan were there on Philippines, Wake Island and Guam. Pearl Harbor’s attack is still ranked as
most successful surprise military attack in combined aerial/naval combat. This attack resulted to
launch of atomic bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima which became disaster for Japan. After
almost 80 years, this question remains: “Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?”
Thesis:
The Pearl Harbour Attack of the United States of America is the consequences of the
Hiroshima Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb blast initiated by America. The result of the attack is still
considered to be one of the most successful catastrophic results of all time and has achieved the
tag most successful military expeditions in the world history. The assignment tends to unveil the
reasons behind the attack in the mid-twentieth century.
1 Boggs, Carl. "From Pearl Harbor to the “Asian Pivot”: Contours of us Imperialism in the
Pacific." Perspectives on Global Development and Technology 16, no. 1-3 (2017): 217-
240.

3ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Background
War between United Stated and Japan had ben possibility that both nations were aware
of as well as planned, since 1920s. Relationship among two nations was cordial that they were
trading partners. There was no serious tension till invasion of Japan on Manchuria in year 1931.
Japan spent enough effort for attaining victory on mainland 2. United Stated ceased exports of oil
in 1941 to Japan. United States and Japan engaged to negotiate since 194, trying to improve the
relation between two nations. Japan intended this attack as a preventive action for keeping
Pacific Fleet of United States in interfering with the military actions within Southeast Asia
against United Kingdom’s overseas territories Netherlands and United States. Japan coordinated
attacks on Philippines, Wake Island and Guam for seven hours. The attack begun at 7.48 am
(Hawaiian Time). 353 Japanese aircraft attacked the base through two waves which were
launched from aircraft carriers 3. 2403Americans and 1178 others were killed and wounded.
Military Planning
The preliminary attack of Pearl Harbor’s attack begun quite early in year 1941, where
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto led the attack. There was full planning in early 1941 by Ryunosuke
Kusaka, who was Rear Admiral along with Captain Kameto Kuroshima and Captain Minoru
Genda. Over next few months, training was provided to the pilots, information was gathered and
there was adaption of equipment. Despite the preparations, attack plan was unapproved by
2 Chappell, Shelbey, Hannah Hart, William Pruitt, Chris Linneman, Alex Vermillion,
Colby Belcher, and John Ernst. "Japanese Intentions for the Pearl Harbor Bombing."
(2018).
3 Grasso, June. Japan's" new Deal" for China: Propaganda Aimed at Americans Before
Pearl Harbor. Routledge, 2018.

4ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Emperor Hirohito till 5th November. The emperor did not give final authorization till 1st
December. BY end of 1941, several observers believed hostilities among Japan and United
States were imminent. While Pacific facilities and bases of United States were given alert on
several occasions, there was doubt for United States officials that Pearl Harbor could be first
target. They incorrectly believed also that Japan did not have capability to mount more than
single primary naval operation.
Objectives
There were many major aims for Japanese attack. First, this intended in destroying
crucial fleet units of America, thus preventing Pacific Fleet to interfere with conquest of Japan
on Malaysia and Dutch East Indies as well as enabling Japan in conquering Southeast Asia
having no interference. Second, this was thought Japan was consolidating its position as well as
increasing the naval strength 4. Third, for delivering blow to ability of America for mobilizing
the forces over Pacific, the battleships were selected as major targets. Striking Pearl Harbor in
the Pearl Harbor had two disadvantages: maximum crew might survive this attack as many might
get rescued from harbor and ships targeted would be within shallow water, hence this would be
easy in salvaging and repairing them. Japanese confidence of their ability in achieving victorious
war meant also other targets within harbor like farms of submarine base, oil tank and navy yard
were ignored 5. In their thinking, this war would get over before having influence of such
facilities being felt.
4 Hall, Megan. "Heroes of World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor." Children's Book and
Media Review 40, no. 1 (2019): 29.
5 Jenkins, Peter S. "Pearl Harbor." In War and Happiness, pp. 227-238. Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham, 2019.

5ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Attack
On 26th November 1941, six aircraft carriers of Japan: Kaga, Akagi, Zuikaku, SHokaku,
Hiryu and Soryu departed Hittokapu to Hawaii, with intend to launch 408 aircraft for attacking
Pearl Harbor: 48 aircrafts for defensive Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and 360 aircrafts for both
wave attacks. Initial attack was first wave, while second wave intended for attacking the carriers
as their first objective, the cruisers as the second objective and battleships as third objectives 6.
Maximum weapons were carried out in first wave for attacking capital ships. Orders were given
to aircrew for choosing targets of the highest value such as aircraft carriers as well as battleships.
Dive bombers of first wave attacked ground targets. Orders were given to the fighters for strafing
and destroying parked aircraft for ensuring they could not get in air for intercepting the bombers
7. When fuel of fighters got low, then they refueled at aircraft carriers. CAP duties were to be
served by fighters whenever required. Before commencing attack, reconnaissance floatplanes
were launched form Japanese Navy from the cruisers Tone and Chikuma, one to Lahaina Roads
and other to Oahu for reporting fleet location and composition of United States. Report of
absence of fleet of United States had been reported from fleet submarine and floatplane of Tone
8. The area was patrolled by other scout planes between carrier force of Japan for detecting any
counterattack.
6 Johnson, Donald L., Robert J. DeAngelis, Dana J. Medlin, Jon E. Johnson, James D.
Carr, and David L. Conlin. "The Secant Rate of Corrosion: Correlating Observations of
the USS Arizona Submerged in Pearl Harbor." JOM 70, no. 5 (2018): 747-752.
7 Lassieur, Allison. The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Interactive History Adventure.
Capstone, 2016.
8 McDermott, Rose, and Uri Bar-Joseph. "Pearl Harbor and Midway: the decisive
influence of two men on the outcomes." Intelligence and National Security 31, no. 7
(2016): 949-962.

6ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Japanese War Declaration
Pearl Harbor was attacked before war’s formal declaration was made by Japanese
government. However, it was not intention of Admiral Yamamoto. He stipulated that attack must
not begin till half an hour after United States had been informed by Japan that the negotiations of
peace was ending. Though, this attack started before notice was delivered. The notification was
transmitted to Japanese Embassy of Washington from Tokyo9. It took tway long to transcript the
message and deliver it within schedule. Final part of message is describes as war’s declaration.
When several military officials and senior members of United Stated government saw it as strong
indicator that negotiations would be over and war might take place at any point of time.
American damages and casualties
The attack was for ninety minutes. America lost 2008 sailors and 710 sailors were
wounded. 218 airmen and soldiers got killed with 364 getting injured. 109 marines and 69
marines were killed and wounded. 68 civilians also were killed with 35 civilians got injured.
2403 Americans got killed with 1143 got injured in the attack. Eighteen ships run aground or
were sunk, which included five battleships 10. Every American who got wounded or killed during
this attack was actually non-combatants. Of American fatalities, almost half were for explosion
of forward magazine of Arizona after modified shell of 16-inch hit it. Nine firefighters of
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) became only members of firefighters over American soil for
being attacked by foreign power. Nevada tried in exiting harbor after being damaged by torpedo.
Several Japanese bombers targeted her as she suffered hits of bombs. She was breached
9 Nelson, Craig. Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness. Simon and Schuster, 2017.
10 Penney, Matthew. "Memorializing Pearl Harbor: Unfinished Histories and the Work of
Remembrance by Geoffrey M. White." The Public Historian 40, no. 1 (2018): 185-187.

7ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
deliberately for avoiding blockage of harbor entrance. Two bombs as well as two torpedoes hit
California. Burning oil of West Virginia and Arizona drifted on California and made situation
worse 11. Torpedoes made hole in Utah twice. Seven torpedoes hit West Virginia, where her
rudder was destroyed by seventh torpedo. Four torpedoes hit Oklahoma. Two 16 inch shell hit
Maryland, however neither caused enough damage. Though battleships were major targets for
the Japanese, other targets were not ignored by them.
Japanese losses and Possibility of third wave
Fifty-five airmen as well as nine submariners of Japan were killed during the attack.
Kazuo Sakamaki, however, was captured. Of 414 planes of Japan, 350 planes were part of raid
where Japan lost 29 planes. Many junior officers of Japan, which includes Genda and Fuchida
urged Nagumo for carrying out third strike for destroying as much torpedo maintenance, storage
and facilities of dry dock and fuel of Pearl Harbor. Genda believed that without having invasion,
there was necessity of three strikes for disabling the base. Captains of five other carriers were
willing as well as ready for carrying out third strike 12. Destruction of such shore facilities would
have damaged Pacific Fleet of United States more seriously when compared to loss of
battleships. At conference next morning, Yamamoto supported withdrawal of Nagumo without
launching third wave.
11 Rodzvilla, John. "Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack." Library
Journal 141, no. 15 (2016): 98.
12 Waterton, Emma. "Memorialising war: rethinking heritage and affect in the context of
Pearl Harbor." The Routledge Handbook of Memory and Place (2020): 237-248.

8ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Conclusion
Pearl Harbor’s attack was totally surprise, however United States along with Japan were
edging toward a war. Japan’s increasing attitude for China did not please United States.
Government of Japan government believed that only way for solving demographic as well as
economic problems was expanding into territory of neighbor and conquers the import market.
Officials of America responded to such aggression with the battery of trade embargoes and
economic sanctions. It was unexpected to military leaders of America that Pearl Harbor would be
targeted by Japan. Almost overall Pacific Fleet of United States was moored in harbor when
hundreds of aircraft were squeezed into adjacent airfields. Japanese attack over Pearl Harbor
destroyed or crippled almost 20 ships and 300 planes of America. Airfields and dry docks were
destroyed. However, Japanese failed in crippling Pacific Fleet. Moreover, assault of Pearl Harbor
had left most crucial onshore facilities of base: depots of oil storage, shipyards, submarine docks
and repair shops. As result, United States Navy could not rebound quickly form attack.

9ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
References
Boggs, Carl. "From Pearl Harbor to the “Asian Pivot”: Contours of us Imperialism in the
Pacific." Perspectives on Global Development and Technology 16, no. 1-3 (2017): 217-
240.
Chappell, Shelbey, Hannah Hart, William Pruitt, Chris Linneman, Alex Vermillion, Colby
Belcher, and John Ernst. "Japanese Intentions for the Pearl Harbor Bombing." (2018).
Grasso, June. Japan's" new Deal" for China: Propaganda Aimed at Americans Before Pearl
Harbor. Routledge, 2018.
Hall, Megan. "Heroes of World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor." Children's Book and Media
Review 40, no. 1 (2019): 29.
Jenkins, Peter S. "Pearl Harbor." In War and Happiness, pp. 227-238. Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham, 2019.
Johnson, Donald L., Robert J. DeAngelis, Dana J. Medlin, Jon E. Johnson, James D. Carr, and
David L. Conlin. "The Secant Rate of Corrosion: Correlating Observations of the USS
Arizona Submerged in Pearl Harbor." JOM 70, no. 5 (2018): 747-752.
Lassieur, Allison. The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Interactive History Adventure. Capstone,
2016.
McDermott, Rose, and Uri Bar-Joseph. "Pearl Harbor and Midway: the decisive influence of two
men on the outcomes." Intelligence and National Security 31, no. 7 (2016): 949-962.
Nelson, Craig. Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness. Simon and Schuster, 2017.

10ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Penney, Matthew. "Memorializing Pearl Harbor: Unfinished Histories and the Work of
Remembrance by Geoffrey M. White." The Public Historian 40, no. 1 (2018): 185-187.
Rodzvilla, John. "Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack." Library
Journal 141, no. 15 (2016): 98.
Waterton, Emma. "Memorialising war: rethinking heritage and affect in the context of Pearl
Harbor." The Routledge Handbook of Memory and Place (2020): 237-248.