The sneak attack on Pearl Harbor changed the Second World War forever and announced the entry of Japan into the conflict with then President Franklin D Roosevelt calling it “a date which will live in infamy”.
Now, 79 years on from the attack, we take a look back on the attack that claimed more than 2000 lives and changed the course of history.
In a two waves, Japanese forces bombed the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.
Causing extensive damage to the site, and killing thousands, the attacks left America reeling in shock.
Stemming from the increasing rivalry between Japan and America it was a dramatic announcement from Japan that they wanted to challenge the US’ dominance.
The first bombs struck at 7.55am Hawaiian Time on December 7, 1941.
The morning attack was broken down into two waves with bombs continuing to drop until 9.45am – meaning it lasted barely two hours.
Despite the brevity of the attack, it was one of the worst attacks on American soil in history.
Pearl Harbor holds a deep-water naval base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, just west of Honolulu.
The base is the headquarters for the US’ Pacific fleet.
More than 2,400 Americans were killed in the morning attack with 1,178 wounded.
Among those killed were 2,008 sailors, 218 soldiers and airmen and 109 marines. Another 68 civilians were also killed.
About 100 Japanese also died in the attack.
Japan sent in 49 bombers, 40 torpedo planes, 51 dive-bombers and 43 fighter aircraft – just in the first wave.
Another wave of 54 bombers, 78 dive-bombers and 36 fighters were then sent in, aiming to completely disable the US naval base.
Five battleships were sunk with 16 damaged, while 188 aircraft at the site were destroyed.
One of the worst hit was the USS Arizona, with the battleship’s violent explosion killing more than 1000 officers and crew.
Two aircraft carriers that were normally based at Pearl Harbor, however, were undamaged.
Battleships
Arizona exploded
Oklahoma capsized
West Virginia sunk but returned to service
California sunk but returned to service
Nevada beached but returned to service
Pennsylvania hit by bomb, remained in service
Tennessee hit by bomb, remained in service
Maryland hit by bomb, remained in service
ex-battleship Utah capsized
Cruisers
Helena torpedoed, returned to service
Raleigh torpedoed, returned to service
Honolulu near miss, remained to service
Destroyers
Cassin bombed, returned to service
Downes caught on fire, returned to service
Shaw bombed, returned to service
Auxiliaries
Oglala torpedoed, returned to service
Vestal beached, returned to service
Curtiss bombed, returned to service
News that Pearl Harbor had been hit shocked Americans with the attack marking Japan’s entry into the Second World War.
Japan’s declaration that they would be joining the war was delayed, however, meaning that the attack was even more of a surprise to the US.
Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The US declared war on Japan with Germany and Italy just days later declaring war on the US.
This brought America into World War II – changing its course forever.
