From the time of the attack on December 7, 1941 until recent years, many misconceptions and myths have clouded the general population’s view of the historic attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan during World War II. Seventy years after the event, some details are still “educated guesses” or speculation, but the two-wave attack on Pearl Harbor will forever be, as the late President Roosevelt called it, “a date which will live in infamy.”
Japan’s Aggression in Southeast Asia
The relationship between Japan and the US had begun to tense in the 1920s with Japan’s expansion and invasion efforts throughout Southeast Asia. When Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, the tense relationship worsened and continued to grow worse. In 1941, Japan invaded French Indochina in an effort to gain control of resources while in the midst of war with China. At this time, the US began to draw the line and stopped supply shipments, including aircraft, parts, tools and fuel. The Japanese interpreted the action as unfriendly.
By 1941, President Roosevelt had begun moving the US Pacific Fleet from San Diego, California to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Steps toward increasing the US military presence in the Philippines were also taken and the US hoped these efforts would deter Japan’s continued aggression. The effort was somewhat ineffective, however, and Japan instead began to see war with the US as unavoidable.
In July of 1941, the US froze all oil exports to Japan. It had previously decided not to halt the oil exports because of Japan’s need and dependence on US oil, but with the domestic restrictions on oil consumption, the US had no choice. As a result, Japan turned attention to Malaya and the Dutch East Indies for natural resources and oil. In order to take those resources, however, Japan would have to take the US out of the equation because there was no doubt that if Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies and Malaya for resources and oil, the US would not be far behind.
Japan Ponders WWII Options
Japan had choices regarding what the next steps would be. At the time, Japan and the US had been in negotiations, with the US hoping for a peaceful agreement to prevent war but also limit Japan’s aggressive advancement throughout Southeast Asia.
While considering options, the Japanese could have attacked British colonies in Southeast Asia, but decided against it. It was believed that if Japan attacked British colonies in Asia, this would encourage US involvement in a war, which is exactly what Japan hoped to avoid. Attacking Pearl Harbor seemed the most reasonable option at the time, to the Japanese planners, with the idea being that if the US fleet was destroyed in Hawaii they would not interfere with Japan’s expansion and control efforts in Asia.
Japan Heads to Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack force consisted of six aircraft carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku. Admiral Yamamoto had decided the attack would occur in two waves beginning a half-hour after the US received a message from Japan expressing an end to their peaceful negotiations. This message was not a formal declaration of war, but it could clearly be interpreted as Japan no longer willing to listen or appease the US in negotiations.
Unfortunately, the message was delayed. Sometimes referred to as the “14-Part Message,” the 5000-word correspondence was transmitted from Tokyo to the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC. The message came in two parts but took longer to write out than anticipated and the US didn’t receive the message until after attacks on Pearl Harbor had begun. This led to a long-standing belief that Japan had attacked without any prior formal warning, but technically speaking, the warning had been intended but delayed.
Pearl Harbor Attacks
The Pearl Harbor attack is noted as December 8th in Japan because of the time difference, and December 7th in the US. The US casualties and damage was significant from the attack. Eight US Navy battleships had been damaged in the two waves of attack, with four battleships sinking. Three cruisers, three destroyers, an antiaircraft training vessel and a minelayer vessel were also damaged. The US lost 188 aircraft, as well. Human casualties were even more devastating, with 1282 people wounded and 2402 killed.
In comparison, the Japanese lost significantly less in the attacks. Twenty-nine Japanese aircraft were lost or damaged and 65 people were wounded or killed. Five midget subs were also lost and Japan had their first prisoner of war taken by the US; a Japanese sailor named Kazuo Sakamaki.
The Japanese didn’t expect a war with the US to last very long, and some overconfidence could be seen as the Imperial Navy’s undoing in the war. Ultimately, Japan surrendered to the US ending the War in the Pacific, and relations have improved considerably in the 70 years since the Pearl Harbor attacks. Remembering our history is important; not just to prevent history from repeating, but to honor those who served, lived and died through our nations’ best and darkest times.
Resources
Pearl Harbor Oahu: Official Tour Site
Pearl Harbor History (4Travel Japan)
Pacific Aviation Museum (Japanese) (English)
"14-Part Message" (ibiblio.org)
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