Destruction of Pearl Harbour ( 7 DEC 1941 ) - Real Images
Since 1638, Japan was an isolated nation; who
avoided getting involved with the domination of European power. However,
after many years of being isolated, they soon found out they were a
feeble nation. “Spain, and then the United State took total brutal
control of the Philippine islands, France subdue all of southern
Asia—Indochina, Britain control all of middle Asia—China, and Russia
restrain all of the northern Asia—Outer Manchuria” (The real reason
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor). In addition, ultimately, European became
powerful by setting monopoly trades in Asia.
According
to David Arendale, a history professor at the University of Minnesota,
in the 1930s, Japan had an increasing population that was exceeding
their nation. Furthermore, “Japan’s economy has begun to grow and to
industrialize rapidly. Because Japan has few natural resources, many of
the burgeoning industries had to rely on imported raw materials, such as
coal, iron ore or steel scrap, tin, copper, bauxite, rubber, and
petroleum” (Higgs, 2006). In this case, “the Japanese Empire was on an
imperializing [sic] mission across Asia” (Yu).
Japan
overran Manchuria, China on September 18, 1931. Japanese armed forces
attacked and controlled several of Manchuria's strategic points with
their planned attack. United States Secretary of State Stimson said this
attack was long-planned, systematically planned, and was an act of
aggression by Japan. Minister Johnson stated that this was no mistake or
accident by irresponsible officials, but was convinced it was an act of
war deliberately disregarding Japan's obligation under the
Kellogg-Briand Pact of August 27, 1928. During this time the League of
Nations was deliberating on the attack of Manchuria. Secretary Stimson
informed Secretary General of the League of Nations, that that the
League should in no way pull back it's vigilance, pressure, or authority
toward regulating China and Japan's action. Stimson also stated that
any nations acting independently would reinforce what the League of
Nation carry out. The United States called attention to both China and
Japan about their obligations under the Kellog-Briand Pact. This
Government was hoping for those countries to resolve their issues in a
peaceful way which would have them keep their promises and public
expectations around the world.
The
Japanese Government continues to deny that they had any plans to take
the Manchuria territory. The Japanese continue to befriend China, but
military operations continued to play out. Towards the end of 1932 Japan
had literally destroyed the remaining administrative authority of the
South Manchuria Government. The attacks and hostility continued between
Japan and China during 1932 and spread into the Shanghai territory.
Japanese Government asked United States to stop the hostilities, a
proposal was made on February 2 stated that both sides cease all acts of
hostility and withdraw from both sides from the Shanghai area. The
Chinese government accepted the proposal, but the Japanese rejected
certain points from the proposal which then made the proposal invalid to
them.
A
proposal was made to the British Government by Secretary of State
Stimson, that United States and the British Governments would invoke the
Nine-Power Treaty and the Kellogg-Briand Pact to the conflict in the
Far East. The British Government did not accept Secretary Stimson's
suggestions and later introduced in the Assembly of the League of
Nations as a ruling which was unanimously adopted. The resolution
stated, "it is incumbent upon the members of the League of Nations not
to recognize any situation, treaty or agreement which may be brought
about by means contrary to the Covenant of the League of Nations or to
the Pact of Paris" (Japanese Conquest of Manchuria 1931-1932).
In
1933, the United States President was given consideration to the
possibility of an arms embargo towards Japan. On May 17, 1933 the United
States Government agrees that the conflict in China is the
responsibility upon Japan and its action. Secretary Hull explained that
it is not United States Government to use their authority to restore
peace from the conflicts between China and Japan, and an aid in the arms
embargo would not restore peace since Japan is already an important
producer of arms sufficiently producing its own. The arms embargo on
either country would decrease one or the other in arms supply and would
not take any further actions. Secretary Hull also stated that unless
there is an agreement with Governments of all the great powers then
there would be no action, "...which would insure against the effects of
any retaliatory measures which the Japanese might undertake" (Japanese
Conquest of Manchuria 1931-1932).
“In
1940, Japan invaded French Indochina in an effort to control supplies
reaching China” (Attack on Pearl Harbor). This event led the United
States to block all exports from entering Japan except oils, because it
would be too extreme if oil was cut off. The U.S relocated the pacific
fleet to Hawaii and was order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to have
a military buildup in Philippines, in hoping to repress Japanese
invasion in Far East. Eventually, that did not stop Japanese expansion
which then led the U.S to stop oil from exporting to Japan in July 1941.
“This in turn caused the Japanese to proceed with plans to take the
Dutch East Indies, an oil-rich territory” (Attack on Pearl Harbor). The
interference of U.S made Japanese more angry and frustrated.
Reasons for the Attack
With
other nation settling and invading Asia, Japan took that idea as a way
to expand their nation. Furthermore, it benefits Japan in getting useful
resources from other nation. In fear of Japanese expansion the U.S did
not want Japan to conquer East Asia, because it will then provide Japan
the advantage in destroying competitions. To stop Japan from expanding,
the U.S decided to ban all exports of raw materials from entering Japan.
In this case, “Japan lost more than 90% of its oil supply, and crippled
their economy and military” (Why was Pearl Harbor attacked?). During
this time the U.S were still recovering from World War One and had not
yet entered the Second World War.
Due
to a failed negotiation between the Japan and U.S, Japan had two
choices, they can either abandon expanding their empire or they can go
to war with the U.S. This gave Japan one decision to make, as they did
not want to lose face. They felt U.S already declare war against them by
cutting exports, [so] why not attack them.
“Early
in 1941, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander of the Japanese Combined
Fleet, had initiated planning a surprise attack on the U.S Pacific Fleet
at the beginning of any hostilities that the Japanese might undertake”
(World War 2 Interview Questions). With the plan of attacking U.S,
Japan decided that hitting Pearl Harbor where the U.S pacific fleets
were located was a good choice to make. Japan concluded that by
destroying the U.S pacific fleets will give the U.S a harder time to
recover and slow them down in attacking Japan. Furthermore, the plan of
the attack would provide Japan more time to invade the Far East area
without interference. In preparing the strategic, Japan trained their
pilots, and ground troops on tactics that will be enforce upon the U.S.
“There are approximately, 2,400,000 ground troops and 7,500 planes that
were trained to succeed this mission” (Why was Pearl Harbor attacked?).
In
November 1941, Chuichi Nagumo was the commander who led 30 ships, 6
aircraft carriers and 430 planes to Pearl Harbor. For the water attack,
“there are 20 submarines assembled at Kure naval base on the west coast
of Honshu to cooperate in the attack” (World War 2 Interview Questions).
The ratio of successfully launching a sneak attack was 1/3. There is
little chance U.S could recover from the attack blown.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On
December 7, 1941 in Oahu, Hawaii, the plan attack on Pearl Harbor was
initiated. Nobody knew about the attack and nobody knew about the
Japanese warplanes that were launched and headed towards the island. The
Japanese planes were launched from Japan's six largest and best
aircraft carriers. The attack on Pearl Harbor had two goals, "the
destruction of American aircraft carriers known to frequent area, and
the sinking of as many other capital ships as possible, especially
battleships" (Burbeck, 2008). With these two goals completed, Japan
would be hoping to neutralize United States ability to use their air and
sea units in the Pacific Basin for at least six months.
Japan's
plans were to occupy the East Asian and West Pacific regions during the
time of United States cripple. Allies would have to negotiate a
settlement from Japanese aggression and control. Japanese created and
planned their attacks based on American Navy's consistent habit of
returning to its main port every weekend. Japan also had an alternative
plan to attack the anchorage at Lahaina Roads, or pursue American fleets
in the Hawaiian Islands area. These plans were last resort due to them
initiating a direct attack, which Japanese fleets was willing to act if
necessary.
The
plan of attack was conducted by Commanders Mitsuo Fuchida and Minoru
Genda. The plan envisioned by the two commanders was to organize the six
carriers to use the passage between Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands.
Once the carriers have reached north of Hawaii, two float planes would
be launched on a scouting mission to assert American fleet presence. The
scouting parties final report were to be forwarded to Japanese carriers
and a deployment of its final point would be near. The Japanese high
level bombers carried special converted 16" naval shells, which was
capable of penetrating American carriers armor. The Japanese aerial
torpedoes were also modified to allow launching in shallow waters during
the attack. All preparations were carefully examined, planned, and
executed by the Japanese commanders, if not, and then the tables could
turn against the Japanese unpredictably.
It
was Sunday morning on December 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor when United
State Pacific Fleet was bombed by Japanese aircrafts. At first, the
American fleet thought the aircrafts were Americans, however, they soon
found out they were being attacked by foreign aircrafts. The first
attack took place at 7:53 AM, the second attack came at 8:55 and by 9:55
AM it was all over. The U.S started out with a force of 1,500,000 of
which 1,000,000 were not completely trained, 1,157 combat aircraft and
347 war ships” when the Japanese attacked (Why was Pearl Harbor
attacked?). The aftermath left “over 2,400 American dead, 21 ships had
either been sunk or damaged, and more than 188 U.S aircraft destroyed”
(Rosenberg). The attack shocked the American people and President
Roosevelt that Japan would abandon its policy of isolationism. The
attack on Pearl Harbor led United States to declare war on Japan the
following day.
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