Attack on Pearl Harbor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Attack on Pearl Harbor
Part of the Asiatic-Pacific theater of World War II
Photograph of Battleship Row taken from a Japanese plane at the beginning of the attack. The explosion in the center is a torpedo strike on USS West Virginia. Two attacking Japanese planes can be seen: one over USS Neosho and one over the Naval Yard.
Date December 7, 1941; 84 years ago (1941-12-07) Location Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, US 21°21′54″N 157°57′00″W / 21.365°N 157.950°W / 21.365; -157.950 Result Japanese victory United States declares war on Japan
Belligerents
United States	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Husband E. Kimmel Walter Short	Isoroku Yamamoto Chūichi Nagumo
Units involved
U.S. Pacific Fleet	1st Air Fleet
Strength
8 battleships 8 cruisers 30 destroyers 4 submarines 73 other ships 390 aircraft	6 aircraft carriers 2 battleships 2 heavy cruisers 1 light cruiser 9 destroyers 8 tankers 23 fleet submarines 5 midget submarines 414 aircraft (353 took part in the raid)
Casualties and losses
4 battleships sunk 4 battleships damaged 1 ex-battleship sunk 1 harbor tug sunk 3 light cruisers damaged 3 destroyers damaged 3 other ships damaged 188 aircraft destroyed 159 aircraft damaged 2,008 sailors killed 109 Marines killed 218 soldiers killed 68 civilians killed 2,403 total killed 1,178 military and civilians wounded	4 midget submarines sunk 1 midget submarine grounded 29 aircraft destroyed 74 aircraft damaged 129 killed 1 sailor captured
Civilian casualties 68 killed 35 wounded 3 aircraft shot down

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a sudden military strike by Japan against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This happened on December 7, 1941. At that time, the U.S. was not officially involved in World War II. The attack, launched from Japanese aircraft carriers, led to the United States declaring war on Japan the very next day. Japanese military leaders called this event the "Hawaii Operation" or "Operation Z."

Before the attack, the U.S. and Japan had been discussing peace for months. Japan wanted the U.S. to stop its economic restrictions and allow Japan to access important resources. Japan's military leader, Isoroku Yamamoto, planned the attack as a surprise move. He wanted to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from stopping Japan's plans in Southeast Asia. Yamamoto hoped this quick strike would help Japan gain land and then negotiate for peace. On the same day as Pearl Harbor, Japan also attacked other U.S. and British territories in the Pacific, like the Philippines and Hong Kong.

The attack started at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time on December 7, 1941. Japanese planes, including fighters and bombers, attacked in two waves from six aircraft carriers. Eight U.S. battleships were at the base; all were damaged, and four were sunk. Most of these ships were later repaired and returned to service. Japan also damaged other ships and destroyed over 180 U.S. aircraft. Sadly, 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,178 were wounded. Japan lost 29 aircraft and 130 men. Luckily, the U.S. aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Important facilities like oil storage and repair shops were also not targeted.

Japan declared war on the U.S. and the British Empire shortly after the attack. The United States and the United Kingdom then declared war on Japan on December 8. A few days later, Germany and Italy, who were allies with Japan, also declared war on the U.S. This brought the United States fully into World War II. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy" because of the surprise attack. It was the deadliest event in Hawaii's history and the worst foreign attack on the U.S. until the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Why the Attack Happened

Growing Tensions Between Nations

Pearl Harbor in October 1941, a month before the attack. You can see Ford Island in the middle.

For many years, there were disagreements between Japan and the United States. Japan was concerned about America's growing influence in the Pacific. Japan also wanted to be self-sufficient, meaning it wanted to have all the resources it needed for its industries and military. They learned from World War I that wars could last a long time. This meant they needed access to important resources like oil and iron, which were not plentiful in Japan.

Tensions increased when Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and later expanded into China, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Japan tried to secure resources to win this war. However, Japan still relied on oil from the U.S.

In 1937, events like the attack on the U.S. ship USS Panay and the Nanking Massacre turned many people in Western countries against Japan. The U.S. stopped sending war materials to Japan in 1938.

In 1940, Japan moved into French Indochina. The U.S. responded by stopping shipments of airplanes and aviation fuel to Japan. President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the U.S. Pacific Fleet to Hawaii. He also increased military strength in the Philippines. These actions aimed to discourage Japan from further aggression.

In July 1941, the U.S. stopped all oil exports to Japan. This decision led Japan to plan to take over the oil-rich Dutch East Indies. On November 26, 1941, Japan's attack force left port for Pearl Harbor. This was just before the U.S. sent a message asking Japan to withdraw from China.

Japan saw the attack as a way to stop the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with its plans in Southeast Asia. They needed resources and felt this was a necessary step.

Military Planning for the Attack

The Japanese attack plan on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto began planning the Pearl Harbor attack in early 1941. He wanted to protect Japan's move into resource-rich areas like the Dutch East Indies. Yamamoto had to convince other naval leaders to agree to the plan.

Pilots were trained, and equipment was specially adapted for the attack. Intelligence was also gathered. Emperor Hirohito approved the attack plan on November 5, 1941. He gave final approval on December 1.

Many people expected war between the U.S. and Japan. However, officials did not think Pearl Harbor would be the first target. They expected the Philippines to be attacked first. They also believed Japan could not handle more than one major naval operation at a time.

Goals of the Attack

The route taken by the Japanese fleet to Pearl Harbor and back.

A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter on the aircraft carrier Akagi.

Japan had several main goals for the attack. First, they wanted to destroy important American ships. This would prevent the Pacific Fleet from stopping Japan's plans to take over Southeast Asia. Japanese naval leaders believed in a "decisive battle" where they would destroy many battleships.

Second, they hoped to gain time for Japan to strengthen its position. This would happen before the U.S. could build more ships. Third, they aimed to damage America's ability to fight in the Pacific. Battleships were chosen as main targets because they were seen as the most important ships.

Finally, Japan hoped the attack would lower American morale. They thought this might make the U.S. government agree to a peace deal.

However, attacking Pearl Harbor had some downsides. The ships were in shallow water, making them easier to salvage and repair. Also, most of the crews would survive. A major disadvantage was that the three U.S. aircraft carriers were not in the harbor. Yamamoto decided to go ahead with the plan despite these concerns.

Japanese leaders were confident they could win a quick war. Because of this, they did not attack important targets like the navy yard, oil storage tanks, or the submarine base. They thought the war would be over before these facilities became important.

The Attack Begins

Journey and Submarine Activity

Part of the Japanese task force on November 22, 1941, before it left.

On November 26, 1941, a Japanese task force, called the Striking Force, left Japan. It included six aircraft carriers. They sailed towards Hawaii to launch 408 aircraft to attack Pearl Harbor.

Before the main air attack, Japan sent five midget submarines towards Pearl Harbor. At 3:42 a.m. Hawaiian time, the U.S. ship USS Condor spotted a midget submarine. It alerted the destroyer USS Ward. The Ward later sank another midget submarine at 6:37 a.m. This was the first American shot fired in the Pacific War.

One midget submarine, Ha-19, ran aground and was captured. Its pilot, Kazuo Sakamaki, became the first Japanese prisoner of war. Other midget submarines were damaged or lost.

Japan's Declaration of War

The attack happened before Japan formally declared war. Admiral Yamamoto had wanted the attack to start 30 minutes after Japan told the U.S. that peace talks were over. However, the message was delayed. It was not delivered until more than an hour after the attack began.

American code breakers had already translated most of the message hours before it was delivered. The message hinted that negotiations would end. However, it did not officially declare war. A formal declaration of war was printed in Japanese newspapers on December 8. It was not given to the U.S. government until the day after the attack.

Some historians believe Japan intentionally delayed the message. They wanted to ensure a surprise attack. U.S. naval intelligence officers were worried about the unusual timing of the message. They tried to warn Pearl Harbor, but communication problems prevented the warning from arriving before the attack.

First Wave of Attack

The Japanese attacked in two waves. The first wave was seen by U.S. Army radar, but was thought to be American bombers arriving.

Attacked targets: 1: USS California. 2: USS Maryland. 3: USS Oklahoma. 4: USS Tennessee. 5: USS West Virginia. 6: USS Arizona. 7: USS Nevada. 8: USS Pennsylvania. 9: Ford Island NAS. 10: Hickam field.
Ignored infrastructure targets: A: Oil storage tanks. B: CINCPAC headquarters building. C: Submarine base. D: Navy Yard.

The first attack wave had 183 airplanes. They launched north of Oahu. This wave included bombers armed with armor-piercing bombs and torpedoes, as well as dive bombers and fighter planes.

As the first wave approached, U.S. Army radar detected them. However, the operators thought they were American bombers arriving from California. The Japanese planes were coming from a similar direction.

The Japanese air assault began at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time. Torpedo bombers attacked the battleships. Dive bombers attacked American air bases across Oahu. Only a few American fighter planes were able to take off and fight back.

American servicemen were caught by surprise. Ammunition lockers were locked, and many guns were not ready. Despite this, many Americans fought back bravely. For example, Ensign Joseph K. Taussig Jr. commanded anti-aircraft guns on the USS Nevada even after being wounded.

Second Wave of Attack

A Japanese B5N2 Bomber Kate over Hickam Field during the second wave.

This message, about the channel being clear, relates to orders for St. Louis to leave Pearl Harbor. It is now at the National Archives and Records Administration.

The second wave consisted of 171 planes. It included more bombers and fighters. This wave attacked Kāneʻohe and Pearl Harbor. The planes arrived from different directions almost at the same time.

Impact of the Attack

American Casualties and Damage

Arizona during the attack

Nevada, on fire and damaged, trying to leave the harbor before being beached.

West Virginia was sunk by torpedoes and bombs.

A destroyed Vindicator at Ewa field.

The attack lasted 90 minutes. A total of 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,178 were wounded. This included sailors, Marines, soldiers, and civilians. Eighteen ships were sunk or damaged. Five battleships were among them.

Nearly half of the American deaths were from the explosion of the USS Arizona. It was hit by a bomb that caused its ammunition storage to explode. Most of the sailors killed were young, around 17 or 18 years old.

Nine firefighters from Honolulu were also killed while responding to the bombing at Hickam Field. They were the only firefighters on American soil to be attacked by a foreign power. They later received Purple Heart medals for their bravery.

The USS Nevada tried to leave the harbor but was hit by more bombs and caught fire. It was deliberately beached to prevent it from sinking and blocking the harbor entrance. The USS Oklahoma was hit by four torpedoes and capsized.

Of the 402 American aircraft in Hawaii, 188 were destroyed and 159 damaged. Most were on the ground. Only a few pilots managed to get into the air and shoot down Japanese planes.

Japanese Losses

Fifty-five Japanese airmen and nine submariners were killed. One submariner, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured. Japan lost 29 aircraft, and another 74 were damaged by anti-aircraft fire.

Why No Third Attack Wave?

Some Japanese officers wanted to launch a third attack. They wanted to sink more warships and damage the base's repair shops and oil tanks. However, Admiral Chūichi Nagumo decided to withdraw for several reasons:

• American anti-aircraft defenses had improved during the second attack.
• He worried about risking more aircraft and ships.
• The location of American aircraft carriers was still unknown.
• A third wave would have taken a long time to prepare. It would have meant landing planes at night, which was very risky.
• The fleet was running low on fuel.
• He believed the main goal of the mission, to disable the U.S. Pacific Fleet, had been achieved.

Not attacking the repair yards, oil tanks, and submarine base was a big mistake for Japan. These facilities allowed the U.S. to recover quickly. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz later said that if these facilities had been destroyed, the war might have lasted two years longer.

Ships Damaged or Lost

Captain Homer N. Wallin (center) overseeing salvage operations on USS California in early 1942.

Twenty-one American ships were damaged or lost. All but three were repaired and returned to service.

• Battleships:
  • Arizona: Hit by bombs, exploded, and sank. 1,177 dead. It was not salvaged and is now a memorial.
  • Oklahoma: Hit by torpedoes, capsized, and sank. 429 dead. It was later raised but never repaired.
  • West Virginia: Hit by bombs and torpedoes, sank. Returned to service in 1944.
  • California: Hit by bombs and torpedoes, sank. Returned to service in 1944.
  • Nevada: Hit by bombs and a torpedo, was beached. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Pennsylvania: Hit by a bomb and debris. Remained in service.
  • Tennessee: Hit by two bombs. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Maryland: Hit by two bombs. Returned to service in 1942.

• Ex-battleship (target/training ship):
  • Utah: Hit by torpedoes, capsized. 64 dead. It was not salvaged and is now a memorial.

• Cruisers:
  • Helena: Hit by a torpedo. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Raleigh: Hit by a torpedo. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Honolulu: Lightly damaged. Remained in service.

• Destroyers:
  • Cassin: Destroyed in drydock, later rebuilt and returned to service.
  • Downes: Destroyed in drydock, later rebuilt and returned to service.
  • Helm: Damaged by near-miss bombs. Continued patrol.
  • Shaw: Badly damaged by bombs. Returned to service in 1942.

• Auxiliary Ships:
  • Oglala (minelayer): Capsized. Returned to service in 1944.
  • Vestal (repair ship): Heavily damaged. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Curtiss (seaplane tender): Damaged. Returned to service in 1942.
  • Sotoyomo (harbor tug): Sunk. Returned to service in 1942.
  • YFD-2 (floating drydock): Damaged and sunk. Returned to service in 1942.

Salvage Operations

After the attack, Captain Homer N. Wallin led a large salvage operation. Divers worked to patch holes, clear debris, and pump water out of the damaged ships. Within six months, five battleships and two cruisers were refloated. They were then sent for extensive repairs.

Salvage work continued for another year. The Arizona and Utah were too badly damaged to be repaired. They remain where they sank and serve as war memorials. The Oklahoma was raised but never repaired.

News and Aftermath

News Coverage in the U.S.

The Pennsylvania behind the wreckage of Downes and Cassin.

The White House Press Secretary, Stephen Early, announced the attack at 2:22 p.m. Eastern time. News reports quickly spread across the country. Radio stations interrupted their regular programs to share the news.

The front page of the Chicago Tribune, December 7, 1941.

At the time, commercial television was very new, so only a few thousand TV sets existed. Some TV stations in New York did broadcast special reports. Many people learned about the attack from phone calls or newspaper boys.

Immediate Consequences

A 1942 poster by Allen Saalburg issued by the United States Office of War Information.

The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his famous "Day of Infamy speech" to Congress. He asked for a formal declaration of war on Japan. Congress agreed less than an hour later. On December 11, Germany and Italy, Japan's allies, also declared war on the United States. The U.S. then declared war on them.

The United Kingdom had already been at war with Germany and Italy. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared war on Japan nine hours before the U.S. did.

The attack was a shock to all Allied forces in the Pacific. Japan continued its attacks, including on the Philippines. Just three days after Pearl Harbor, two major British warships, the Prince of Wales and Repulse, were sunk off Malaya.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivering the "Infamy Speech" to Congress, asking for a declaration of war, December 8, 1941.

Throughout the war, Pearl Harbor was often used in American propaganda to encourage support for the war effort.

One sad consequence of the attack was that many Japanese-American residents and citizens were relocated to special camps. This happened because of fears and distrust after the attack. In Hawaii, where many Japanese Americans lived, about 1,200 to 1,800 people were moved to camps. On the U.S. West Coast, over 110,000 Japanese Americans were forced into these camps. Canada also relocated its Japanese-Canadian citizens.

Many American servicemen who showed bravery during the attack received medals. These included the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. A special Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal was also created for veterans of the attack.

The Niihau Incident

Petty Officer Shigenori Nishikaichi's aircraft ten days after it crashed.

Japanese planners had chosen the island of Niihau as a rescue point for pilots whose planes were too damaged to return to carriers. During the second wave, a Japanese fighter pilot, Shigenori Nishikaichi, crashed on Niihau.

The island's residents had no phones or radios and did not know about the attack on Pearl Harbor. They helped the pilot but took his pistol and documents. Nishikaichi then got help from three Japanese-American residents to try and get his documents back. During the struggle, Nishikaichi was killed. This event made some people worry about the loyalty of local Japanese residents.

Strategic Importance

Rear Admiral Chūichi Hara of Japan later said, "We won a great tactical victory at Pearl Harbor and thereby lost the war."

The attack achieved its goal of damaging the U.S. fleet. However, it was not entirely necessary. The U.S. Navy had already decided not to send its fleet across the Pacific immediately if war broke out. Instead, the U.S. planned to focus on defeating Germany first.

It was fortunate for the U.S. that its aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor. If they had been, the Pacific Fleet's ability to fight would have been severely crippled. The U.S. had to rely on carriers and submarines. While many battleships were repaired, their slow speed limited their use in the war.

Japan's leaders believed that battleships would decide the war. Because of this, they saved their battleships for a "decisive battle" that never happened. Admiral Chester Nimitz believed the U.S. was lucky the attack happened as a surprise. If the Japanese had lured the U.S. fleet out to sea, they could have sunk the ships in deep water. This would have meant losing many skilled officers and crews.

Japan also failed to attack Pearl Harbor's repair yards, oil tanks, and submarine base. These targets were very important to the American war effort. Their survival allowed Pearl Harbor to continue supporting the Navy. This helped the U.S. respond quickly in the Pacific. Submarines, operating from Pearl Harbor, played a key role in stopping Japan's economy by cutting off oil and raw materials.

Some Japanese officers wanted to invade Hawaii after the attack. They believed this was necessary to win the war. However, Admiral Yamamoto decided against it. Japan's major defeat at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 ended any plans for invading Hawaii.

Debate on U.S. Intelligence

The USS Arizona Memorial.

There has been much discussion about why the United States was caught by surprise. Some people believe that American officials knew about Japan's plans beforehand. They argue that warnings were ignored. For example, naval war games in the 1930s showed that Pearl Harbor was vulnerable to such an attack.

However, most historians disagree with the idea that American leaders knew about the attack and let it happen. They point to the many factors that led to the surprise, including communication problems and the belief that the Philippines would be the first target.

See also

In Spanish: Ataque a Pearl Harbor para niños