Understanding Pearl Harbour: The Attack That Shook America

Why Did the Attack Happen?

Although the attack came as a surprise to the Americans, the plan had been in the pipeline for the Japanese for months. During the 1930s, Japan sought to expand its territory due to a lack of resources for its booming population. With no way of achieving self-sufficiency, taking what they needed by force seemed the only option. Their dominant military waged war in Manchuria (a region in Northeast Asia encompassing the entirety of present-day Northeast China) in 1931, China in 1937, and French Indochina in 1940.

The U.S. became increasingly concerned with Japan’s aggressive expansion, which threatened American interests in Asia. In response, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Japan, including a trade embargo on American oil and steel, two key components that fuelled the Japanese war effort. In mid-1940, President Roosevelt moved a fleet of ships to Pearl Harbour, hoping the Japanese would see it as a deterrent against their continued expansion.

Because of Pearl Harbour’s relative proximity to Asia, Japanese authorities feared the U.S. fleet might intervene if they continued their expansion in Southeast Asia. In 1941, negotiations between the USA and Japan began in an attempt to improve relations, but these failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Realising that a deal would not be struck, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese naval forces, decided that taking out the U.S. fleet was the best option. Plans were put into motion, and on November 26th, 1941, an armada comprising numerous aircraft carriers (carrying 360 planes), two battleships, three cruisers, and nine destroyers left Japan and sailed towards Hawaii. With Japanese plans to declare war already in place, the attack on Pearl Harbour was seen as a pre-emptive strike.

It was absolutely clear that the Pearl Harbour attack was a high-risk operation.

Doctor Takuma Melber, a Japanese-German academic and author of the book Pearl Harbour.

As they closed in, a single plane took to the skies under cover of the early morning darkness, sending back a short radio report: Pearl Harbour sleeps.

The stage was set.

The Attack

At 7:48 AM, the first wave of Japanese planes descended on Pearl Harbour. Because U.S. intelligence suggested an attack, if it were to happen, would most likely take place elsewhere, Pearl Harbour was left mostly unguarded. The battleships, planes and sailors were little more than sitting ducks.

The sky darkened over the Pacific island as the Japanese fleet unleashed bombs and torrents of bullets. One of the bombs blasted through the deck of the USS Arizona, the pride of the fleet, igniting the ammunition in its hold, causing it to explode and sink with over 1,000 souls trapped on board. Shortly after, the USS Oklahoma suffered a similar fate, with 400 sailors lost to the waters. The attack lasted a little over two hours, resulting in 2,403 American deaths. Over 1,000 more were injured, including many civilian casualties.

Nine battleships moored in the harbour were damaged, and many smaller ships were similarly impacted. The Japanese also destroyed over 300 planes. However, they failed to take out many strategic on-land facilities. The damage to the vessels was substantial but not total, allowing repairs to occur relatively quickly. Another positive was that America’s fleet of aircraft carriers was elsewhere on that day—some argue that these had overtaken battleships in military importance. This meant that all was not lost with the attack on Pearl Harbour—America retained the means to retaliate.

War is Declared

The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress. He declared the attack on Pearl Harbour “a day which will live in infamy.” Congress agreed and voted almost unanimously to declare war on Japan. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on America, and America reciprocated. This marked the United States' entry into World War II, fundamentally altering the conflict's dynamics.

Pearl Harbour is actually a disaster for the Japanese. It was a short-term victory with devastating long-term consequences. It's the death knell of the Japanese Empire.

Professor Phillips O’Brien, author of several books on World War 2, including How The War Was Won.

Following the attack, the United States mobilised for war. Military recruitment soared, and industries converted to wartime production. America would go on to participate in famous battles across Africa, Europe, and Asia, perhaps most notably playing a significant role on D-Day. Without their involvement, it is impossible to know how World War II would have played out.

Legacy

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour changed the course of World War II and, ultimately, history. Every year, on December 7th, a ceremony is held at Pearl Harbour National Memorial, where the fallen sailors are remembered. The wreckage of the USS Arizona can be seen just beneath the modern memorial building—a stark reminder of the lives lost on that fateful day.

In the broader context of World War II, Pearl Harbour set in motion a series of events that ultimately led to the Allied victory. The U.S. military response was crucial in turning the tide against the Axis powers.