Posted on 11/29/2011 6:45:45 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY
Three days before the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt was warned in a memo from naval intelligence that Tokyo's military and spy network was focused on Hawaii, a new and eerie reminder of FDR's failure to act on a basket load of tips that war was near.
In the newly revealed 20-page memo from FDR's declassified FBI file, the Office of Naval Intelligence on December 4 warned, "In anticipation of open conflict with this country, Japan is vigorously utilizing every available agency to secure military, naval and commercial information, paying particular attention to the West Coast, the Panama Canal and the Territory of Hawaii."
The memo, published in the new book December 1941: 31 Days that Changed America and Saved the World went on to say that the Japanese were collecting "detailed technical information" that would be specifically used by its navy. To collect and analyze information, they were building a network of spies through their U.S. embassies and consulates.
Historian and acclaimed Reagan biographer Craig Shirley, author of the just released December 1941, doesn't blame FDR for blowing it, but instead tells Whispers that it "does suggest that there were more pieces to the puzzle" that the administration missed. The 70th anniversary of the attack is next month.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...
“War warnings” were sent. All Pacific commanders knew that war was coming within days. Very few expected something as daring as the attack on Oahu. Admiral Kimmel believed that the Pacific fleet was safest at anchor in Pearl harbor.
They knew after the Russo-Japanese War that they could fight; they knew from the war in China that they would. They just left the obsolete ships as bait.
Exactly. One has to look at what Japan gained from the attack. Virtually nothing. They sank battleships which were no longer really viable with the advent of the aircraft carrier and relatively useless fighter planes.
They didn’t get any carriers or fuel reserves. From a strategic standpoint it was a victory, minus the loss of life. Actually, genius, considering the results.
In late 1941, most knew that war with Japan was imminent, it’s just that no one knew when or where. Yes some decrypts may point to Pearl as the target but others pointed elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Japanese staged an excellent cover for the raid by making U.S. analysts believe the imperial fleet was at home in Japanese waters.
“And what was he supposed to do about it? There was no support for a war until after the attack.”
Possibly spread our naval flee out into other locations.
Soon after Pearl Harbor Tokyo was bombed and they lost the battle of Midway; Yamamoto was right that they had to win in six months, or they would lose.
The Japanese were impressive for a 1930s army; they were completely outclassed in the 1940s. They looked all the more impressive because the Allies decided to finish off the Axis in Europe first. Even many of Australia’s troops were fighting the Germans in North Africa, leaving the US to defend Australia.
Leads to speculation as to why exactly did the carries sail hours before the attack?
Bush’s fault.
I believe in coincidences and luck; I just look at the results of that war, compared to the goals 6 years earlier, and find it absurd. It really is marketed well, including some radio commercials about how conservatives should love some D-Daytour package (? - wierd); what was sold as getting a “toe-hold in Europe” completely ignores the earlier fighting in Italy (probably because they were against real units, led by Kesselring).
“Hawaii isn’t America, therefore we don’t attack. We shouldn’t have a base in Hawaii. That’s imperialism...” PaulBot Freak
Well, the carriers were at sea and not a one was damaged. I believe several someones knew a lot. Unfortunately the ones in the path of the attack knew nothing until too late, and didn’t know it from our side
Pearl Harbor What did Roosevelt know and when did he know it. Its Franklins fault. You know the Metal on the Arizona could not have melted and blown up from puny 500Lb High Explosive bombs can’t melt the armor plating. Just Saying. SARC/;) I am now A Pearl Harbor Truther.
For as long as there is any question of attack. The public would not be opposed to protecting our troops and installations through being vigilant.
I wonder how the usnews feels being scooped by about uh, 30 or 40 years?
My dad was in the code room. I was young when he spoke of it, but as I recall he spoke of an undelivered message that sat in a mail slot for three days. My impression from him was the information in that note was definitive, and that it was not normal for it to be just left there like that. We knew everything we needed to know to defend ourselves and didn’t. That’s who FDR has been to me my whole life.
One thing people should realize is the reason Japan took the risk. Japan has few mineral deposits to support their industry. They went after Australia for that very reason.
Currently, China is going full-tilt to lock up minerals world-wide. If they can make the case to Japan that they can replace the US in that regard, at a substantial savings, we would face a huge military and status loss of enormous proportions. Japan is tired of their 10-15 yr recession, I’m sure. Their natural aggression may be running out of patience.
I’m still waiting for Obama’s Hawaiian birth certificate to be declassified.
TRANSPARENCY!
Is that you Ron Paul?
ping
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