=============================== Posted on 12/07/2004 6:10:50 AM PST by M. Espinola
December 7th, 1941 -Pearl Harbor Remembrance!
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Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned the Pearl Harbor attack. Two things inspired Yamamoto's Pearl Harbor idea: a prophetic book and a historic attack.
The book was The Great Pacific War, written in 1925 by Hector Bywater, a British naval authority. It was a realistic account of a clash between the United States and Japan that begins with the Japanese destruction of the U.S. fleet and proceeds to a Japanese attack on Guam and the Philippines. When Britain's Royal Air Force successfully attacked the Italian fleet at Taranto on November 11th, 1940, Yamamoto was convinced that Bywater's fiction could become reality.
On December 6th, 1941, the U.S. intercepted a Japanese message that inquired about ship movements and berthing positions in Pearl Harbor. The cryptologist gave the message to her superior who said he would get back to her on Monday, December 8th.
On December 7th, a radar operator in Oahu saw a large group of airplanes on his screen heading toward the island. He called his superior who told him it was probably a group of U.S. B-17 bombers and not to worry about it.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began at 7:55 A.M. on December 7th, 1941. The entire attack took one hour and 15 minutes. Captain Mitsuo Fuchida sent the message, "Tora, Tora, Tora," to the Japanese fleet after flying over Oahu to indicate the Americans had been caught by surprise.
Yesterday, December 7th, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
It is politcally incorrect to acknowledge such things.
Thanks for posting this great memorial.
It's tragic how history is so woefully taught these days. I wonder how many teachers will even bring up the significance of today to their students.
I was hoping for another "Saving Private Ryan" and instead I got another "Titanic".
Luckily "Band of Brothers" came out later that year.
True, the Japanese were brutal to its prisoners of war. Have you ever heard of Unit 731?
While stationed on Ford Island in 1979-1985 our Army ship and boats were berthed where the Tangier (NW Side of island) is shown on the map. Many of the bomb creators and bullet holes were still evident at the time.
As the "Greatest Generation” dies off and its economic political clout wanes it will be up to us to carry on and remember this day that must live in infamy.
It's getting to the point that kids are being force fed a mental diet of "It can't happen again" and "What did we do to make them mad".
Both concepts are immaterial about the reality of what starts war and what ends it.
Depends what you mean by "lost". Only a few were damaged beyond repair. As far as the capital ships:
Arizona was destroyed and remained where it is today.
Nevada actually got underway and was beached to avoid blocking the channel. It was repaired and took part in action in the war, participating in Overlord, June 6, 1944.
Oklahoma was eventually righted and was being towed to San Diego for extensive repairs when it was caught in a storm and sunk. Still pisses me off when I think about what those guys trapped inside the OK went through after the attack.
Utah was sunk and also kept where it is today.
West Virginia, Maryland, California, Tennessee were all repaired and saw action I think.
Pennsylvania was in dry dock and also came back in to service.
For me, I will be joining up with the crews that are restoring and presenting the USS Texas. I've fallen in love with that graceful old warwagon, and I want people to know what she did, and what the real history of the world is from that time.
Oh yes. Nice guys they were.
My younger brother was actually taught the "Japanese" view of Pearl Harbor. He asked the teacher would they next be seeing the German view of their invasion of Poland?
.......and..... Thank You Too,... All American Vetrans who fought evil for Christian freedoms to be enjoyed by all!
FREEDOM OF SPEECH..........Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah....etc!
/we (socialists) will bury You! (all you WW-II Vets, then we'll come to power.)
/PC
Somebody's been backfeeding your brother some truth, eh? Good job!
I keep him in line. Not only does he know where the Allies landed on D-Day he actually knows the names of the beaches the Americans hit.
Excellent. My father was on the U.S.S. Utah when it was sunk at Pearl Harbor and then transferred to the U.S.S. Ralph Talbot (DD390) after serving for 2 weeks on hospital and burial detail. Amazing stuff for a 17 year old seaman 2/c.
What the Japanese did to the Chinese ranks up with the worst of the Nazi war crimes.
An elderly lady I know very well witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. She saw the Japanese planes flying low overhead and then, as a student nurse, she was called to help treat the wounded. But I can no longer speak to her about this. Today, while her body is still relatively healthy, she has rapidly advancing Alzheimer's. This is nearing it's end stage and I don't expect her to live much longer.
Guess you've been here: The Unofficial Web Site for the Battleship TEXAS BB35
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