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Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor Essay

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Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor

On the dawn of the 7th of December 1941, the unfolding of the strategic surprise attack on Pearl Harbor which had been planned in secrecy several months in advance by the empire of Japan took place and was known and remembered by many as the day of infamy (Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 7th 1941). The surprise attack executed by the Japanese military code named Kido Butai on Pearl Harbor resulted in many casualties to both the Japanese and American forces. Most importantly the accomplishment of Japans main goal of destroying the possible threat of the United States pacific fleet. Although the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was extremely successful, …show more content…

The attack on Pearl Harbor was planned out very well by the Japanese, due to knowing that the American ships were in port on Sunday the 7th of December 1941 and also where each ship was located. The Japanese pilots had maps, photos and models of the bay so they would be prepared and also able to distinguish their main targets. At the time of the attack the Japanese infantry advanced in two separate striking forces. The attack consisted of over three hundred Japanese planes all six of Japan's first-line aircraft carriers, Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku and also many fast battleships, torpedo bombers, destroyers, submarine and midget sub's.

In the early morning of December 7th 1941 at approximately 7:55am the leader Mitsuo Fuchida led the first attack wave to Pearl Harbor. The first strike force consisted of 180 aircraft
, included torpedo bombers, high level bombers and fighters. The unprepared and unsuspecting American military on Oahu had little or no warning about the attack and were very surprised and shocked when they heard the loud noises of the Japanese planes. Not long after the first raid at approximately 8:45am a second strike force of Japanese infantry reached

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