How did the Japanese succeed
in launching such a devastating
attack on Pearl Harbor - and
why did the Americans fail to
prevent it?
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
• November 26, 1941 six Japanese aircraft carriers left
for Oahu, Northern Japan.
• 408 aircraft to be used in the aerial torpedo attack:
360 for the two attack waves & 48 defensive patrols
• The first wave to be primary attack, and the second
to finish anything off
• Before the attack commenced, two scouting aircraft
sent to report on enemy and four others to patrol in
the case of a counter-attack
• December 2 coded message arrived in Tokyo: "Climb
Mt. Nitaka." This was the signal to wage war, and the
fleet was to attack on December 7th 1941.
The First Wave
• 183 planes launched north of Oahu, commanded by
Captain Mitsuo Fuchida hit its target at 7:53 AM
• specially made aerial torpedoes designed for shallow
water
• 54 dive bombers were to attack ground targets
• aircrews ordered to target the important battleships
and aircraft carriers, or any other high value ships.
• first wave especially ordered to attack and destory
parked aircraft to prevent them from taking off and
defending themselves.
The Second Wave
• Consisted of 171 planes, commanded by
Lieutenant-Commander Shigekazu
Shimazaki hit it’s target at 8:55 am.
• 54 planes armed with general purpose
bombs
• 81 others to target aircraft carriers and
cruisers
• 36 focused on defense
How and why did America fail to
prevent it?
• Due to Pearl Habor’s shallow waters they didn’t
think an aerial torpedo strike would be possible
• Despite Britain warning America an attack of this
type was possible because they attacked Italy
November 1940 under similar circumstances
• Even though they knew Japan was planning
hostilities they didn’t think Pearl Habor was a likely
target
• The US decoded the statement that Japan was
severing diplomatic relations with the US hinting that
an attack was a possibility, however this wasn’t
transmitted until it was too late
• Because there wasn’t extensive proof of Pearl Habor
being a target, the local American navy and army
commanders didn’t take excessive precautions in
protecting their facilities, for example
- aircraft parked closely
- torpedo nets not deployed
- many officers and sailors on shore
- minimal crew members available
- warning signs disregarded by command
authorities
• No action was taken when a number of unidentified
aircraft were detected as it was presumed they were
American, when in fact they were a part of the first
wave