Simviation Forum - A date that will live in infamy

Dec 7^th, 2011 at 1:55am

Webb Offline
Colonel
Go 'Noles!
Morningwood Golf Resort

Posts: 1068

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Quote:

The attack on Pearl Harbor (called Hawaii Operation or Operation AI by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters (Operation Z in planning) and the Battle of Pearl Harbor) was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941 (December 8 in Japan). The attack was intended as a preventive action in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States ...

One hundred eighty-eight U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded ...

US President Franklin Roosevelt

Quote:

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 ...

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Back then Congress, not the President, had to declare war. The Constitution hasn't changed but no one bothers to challenge the President any more. No one bothers to challenge Congress or anything any American government does any more.

A bad day at golf is better than a good day at work.

Jim

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Dec 7^th, 2011 at 6:03pm

Steve M Offline
Colonel
Cambridge On.

Gender:
Posts: 4097

I didn't read the entire Wiki, but a little known fact is that Japan carried out attacks on 10 other locations on the same day, Dec. the seventh. Pearl Harbour being the most noted.

The only link I can provide is a podcast from Jeff Allan, a war historian and talk show host on AM radio. Hopefully this link will work..

http://www.570news.com/listen/listenplayer/307504--11am-pearl-harbour-anniversar...

At 11:18 minutes into the podcast listen carefully. The last half of the podcast is a movie review and unrelated.

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Dec 9^th, 2011 at 1:41am

beaky Offline
Global Moderator
Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

Gender:
Posts: 14187

I think of the Americans killed in this raid often, but I also think of Yamamoto's role in it, and I feel sorry for him.
He came up with the plan (which was brilliant, really), but he also knew that unless they could quickly find and sink the carriers, and destroy the drydocks and fuel tanks on the island, Japan would need a miracle to escape the wrath of the US, which didn't take kindly to such a stinging surprise blow within its own territory, especially when it occurred before their official declaration of war was presented (the diplomatic corps fumbled that and missed the deadline). "We've awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve," was his comment amidst the celebration of victory. Even though the plan was his idea, he was somewhat ashamed for "smiting an enemy while he sleeps".
He'd hoped to eventually negotiate a peace, but after the attack he knew they'd have to "eventually march on Washington and dictate terms" (which he knew was impossible) or Japan itself would get hammered. He was right when he said "I can run wild for six months... after that I have no expectation of success." He'd opposed the treaty with Hitler, and he was not popular for his view that the Axis could not possibly take on the whole world and succeed, particularly the Americas. But what could he do? Resign? Try to organize a coup? Japan needed him, so he just soldiered on. By the time everything went wrong for the JIN at Midway, forcing him to abort the invasion there, he must have known it was basically over for Japan.

The Wiki article below states that when his body was found near the wreckage of his transport (after being shot down by a P-38), he was holding his katana. That's a Japanese warrior for you...

I don't have much admiration for Japan's top leadership at the time (especially their Army brass, who had more clout with the Emperor and were derisive of naval air power, despite its obvious advantages), but Yamamoto was one of the best leaders they ever had, and a true patriot... what a terrible waste.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Dec 9^th, 2011 at 7:37am

expat Offline
Colonel
Deep behind enemy lines!

Gender:
Posts: 8499

Just as a side line to this thread, the last ship to have survived the attack was sunk on active duty in 1982. The USS Pheonix, was sold in 1951 to Argentina and renamed The General Belgrano. She is the only ship ever to have been sunk in anger by a nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Conqueror during the Falklands Conflict.

Matt

PETA People Eating Tasty Animals.

B1 Boeing 737-800 and Dash8 Q-400

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Dec 9^th, 2011 at 8:57am

robertwnielsen Offline
Colonel
Hello!

Gender:
Posts: 15

beaky wrote on Dec 9^th, 2011 at 1:41am:

I think of the Americans killed in this raid often, but I also think of Yamamoto's role in it, and I feel sorry for him.
He came up with the plan (which was brilliant, really), but he also knew that unless they could quickly find and sink the carriers, and destroy the drydocks and fuel tanks on the island, Japan would need a miracle to escape the wrath of the US, which didn't take kindly to such a stinging surprise blow within its own territory, especially when it occurred before their official declaration of war was presented (the diplomatic corps fumbled that and missed the deadline). "We've awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve," was his comment amidst the celebration of victory. Even though the plan was his idea, he was somewhat ashamed for "smiting an enemy while he sleeps".
He'd hoped to eventually negotiate a peace, but after the attack he knew they'd have to "eventually march on Washington and dictate terms" (which he knew was impossible) or Japan itself would get hammered. He was right when he said "I can run wild for six months... after that I have no expectation of success." He'd opposed the treaty with Hitler, and he was not popular for his view that the Axis could not possibly take on the whole world and succeed, particularly the Americas. But what could he do? Resign? Try to organize a coup? Japan needed him, so he just soldiered on. By the time everything went wrong for the JIN at Midway, forcing him to abort the invasion there, he must have known it was basically over for Japan.

The Wiki article below states that when his body was found near the wreckage of his transport (after being shot down by a P-38), he was holding his katana. That's a Japanese warrior for you...

I don't have much admiration for Japan's top leadership at the time (especially their Army brass, who had more clout with the Emperor and were derisive of naval air power, despite its obvious advantages), but Yamamoto was one of the best leaders they ever had, and a true patriot... what a terrible waste.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto

If you look up the "sleeping giant" quote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto%27s_sleeping_giant_quote, the director of Tora! Tora! Tora! says that he found the line in Yamamoto's personal diary.....however, even 70 years (plus 2 days) later, there's no verification Yamamoto actually said it.

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: