re: the various conspiracy theorists, Cordell Hull’s formal “war warning” to all govt depts, Nov. 27, was ample warning to Kimmel and Short to be prepared for anything. It was not for civilian officials to spell out every possibility of attack etc. Of course hindsight is easy but the relevant information was in the hands of Kimmel and Short, they knew Japan had made surprise attacks in the past, the Brits at Taranto had showed what aerial attacks on a fleet in port could do, etc. No one hid the relevant info from Short and Kimmel, they had it and did not act sufficiently upon what they knew.
No one in Washington admitted after-wards that they suspected a Japanese attack on Hawaii -- yes, the Philippines and SE Asia, but not Hawaii.
""November 27, 1941 - This despatch is to be considered a war warning."Negotiations with Japan looking toward stabilization of conditions in the Pacific have ceased and an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days.
"The number and equipment of Japanese troops and the organization of the naval task forces indicates an amphibious expedition against either the Philippines Thai or Kra Peninsula or possibly Borneo.
Execute an appropriate defensive deployment preparatory to carrying out the tasks assigned in WPL 46.
Inform district and army authorities."
Both Kimmel and Short later claimed that if they had been better warned, they would have been better prepared.
But MacArthur in the Philippines, who was better warned, was virtually no better prepared.
And where Kimmel and Short were relieved and disgraced, MacArthur soon became a national hero.
So how do you figure that?
Here is one particularly interesting account:
"Probably the closest that anyone came to considering an attack against Oahu was Admiral Husband Kimmel.
On November 27, a large meeting took place in which Kimmel and his staff met with Lt. General Walter Short, the senior US Army commander in Hawaii.
During the meeting, the army's plan to assume command of the defense of Wake and Midway islands was viewed with concern by Lt. Colonel James Mollison, primarily because such a defense would drain valuable aircraft away from Oahu.To this Kimmel responded "Why are you so worried about this? Do you think we are in danger of attack?"
To which Mollison replied "The Japanese have such a capability."
"Capability, yes, but possibility?" asked Kimmel.
Immediately he asked the fleet war plans officer, Captain Charles McMorris, "What do you think about the prospects of a Japanese air attack?"McMorris replied "None, absolutely none."
Still, Kimmel may not have been completely convinced.
He turned down the prospective move of half the island's army aircraft, keeping them on Oahu just in case."
But again, the most intriguing question is: even had US forces been on higher alert, would there have been fewer ships sunk or men killed?