Unusual Tactics by the United States in the Pacific War

On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii right before 8 am. The officers working that day had just woken up, having breakfast, and not expecting a thing. Because of that they were unprepared. The USS Arizona was one of the many ships that got hit. The ship immediately sank, taking 1,177 crew members on that ship. Japan’s aggression was literally being fueled by the United States. Beginning with the late-1940, the United States grew less patient with Japanese atrocities and began to restrict trade with the empire. In Europe busy fighting Hitler, the United States remained the only obstacle to the establishment of a huge Japanese empire spanning East Asia.

On June 3rd, 1942, the United States declared war on Imperialistic Japan and Nazi Germany. Due to the bombing of the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese the U.S. was forced to take action. The United States began their first naval battle near the Midway islands in defense of its pacific fleet and positioning. Midway was the Japanese' last goal for its western expansion in the Pacific.

“The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific. On December 7, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack. In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields were likewise destroyed. Most important, almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were wounded. On December 8, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy declared war against the United States. For the second time, Congress reciprocated. More than two years after the start of the conflict, the United States had entered World War II” (History.com).

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It was indeed a great shock to the United States, many documents show that the bombing on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to stop the United States from entering into World War II. This attack was the turning in point World War II, and United States making the decision to help the Allies. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because of its narcissistic political mentality and angered by United States placing the embargo act on oil.

The Japanese were fresh on the march after delivering such a horrific blow on American Forces stationed at Pearl Harbour, sinking many ships and crippling many others. Many Servicemen, Servicewomen and Civilians lost their lives. It was December 7 1941, America is now

Around 8:00 am on December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor (United States Naval base in Hawaii), dropping bombs on it and killing nearly 3,500 people. Pearl Harbor was a turning point for The United States. The day after Pearl Harbor, The United States officially declared war on Japan

but they were unsure of when the attack would happen, and did not know that

On the morning of December 7th, 1941, the Imperial Japanese navy conducted a surprise military strike against the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack led to the United States entry into World War II. The attack was an attempt to keep the United States Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions of the Empire of Japan. Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II and American History that led to major technological advances throughout the war as well as high tension between Americans and Japanese for years to come.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, U.S. commanders at Pearl Harbor were caught off guard when Japan executed one of the most remarkable examples of military deception in world history. While the mainland Americans went about their normal Sunday activities, the Empire of Japan was in the process of launching a world changing event. The attack on Pearl Harbor set into motion a series of events that unified America and most importantly shaped a nation.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a bombing attack on the American naval base in Pearl Harbor. This attack on the U.S. brought America into World War II. One Japanese general commented “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” (Yamamoto) Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. created a much larger enemy than they intended. After the attack the U.S. embarked on a bloody and hard fought campaign through the pacific, which ultimately led to the Dropping of two atomic bombs and the surrender of Japan. Although many lives were lost the American decision to drop the bombs was justified because it ended the war quickly, saved american lives, and showed the world the power of the U.S. The Pacific War was a long and drawn out process that was moving very slowly for the United States, was struggling to pull off any major naval victory and from the mistakes made of the U.S. basically leaving the Japanese unattended while they were fighting the Germans in Europe. The American decision to drop the Bombs was justified because the U.S. wanted to end the war quickly and not to have a costly invasion of the Japanese Homeland as well as showing power to the world. Truman wanted to end the war as fast as he could because we had been in conflict for 4 years now and the American forces were very weary and tired of war, the U.S. dropped it for the other reason of

Some countries weren’t able to recover from the damage they received and other countries chose to act on a plot of revenge. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked United States by bombing a American Naval Base just off Honolulu, Hawaii. United States was shocked by this sudden move and turned both pair eyes on them. This destruction strained relations between them for a long period

In 1942 the Bataan Death March and Battle of Coral Sea were also events that help lead to the bombing of Japan. The march was about 100 miles and many of the soldiers died before making it to the end. The march showed Japan true colors on how cruel they can be and puts more hatred on them. After the battle “the United States started turning into offensive after being defensive for the beginning of the war.” This helps us grow strong as a military unit, but didn’t help in the Battle of Tarawa in 1943 because they were also offensive causing “...one of the bloodiest battles of the whole war.”

In the early hours of December 7th 1941, The Combined Fleet of Imperial Japanese Navy launched a preemptive military strike on the United States of America. Their target, the U.S Pacific Fleet and its headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii .Their objective to launch a lighting preventative assault on the United States, cripplingly the U.S’s ability to take part in World War Two and contribute to the Allied War effort. The Attack caught the Pacific Fleet completely by surprise, U.S forces only becoming aware of the Japanese presence as they came under fire from waves of Japanese Aircraft and Ships. Inflicting extensive damage, sinking and damaging over a dozen U.S capital ships and hundreds of Aircraft, damaging even more and killing and maiming almost four thousand U.S serviceman at the cost of only Sixty-four Japanese casualties and one captured. Well successful in a tactical sense the attack was considered by many including multiple top level officers in the Japanese military officers as a strategic blunder if not an outright calamity, as the attack causing the previously neutral U.S to enter World War Two on the side of the Allies and lend them its substantial military and industrial might, tipping the odds firmly in the favor of the Allied forces.

The attack of Pearl Harbor had significantly affected the United States as it altered the minds of those who were against the war and those who were for the war. The several issues that Japan had over the war in China gave the United States no choice but to help defend them. The U.S. had taken away the necessary resources that Japan needed in order to prevent Japan from further expanding and taking over the neighboring countries of China and the Pacific region. With the fear of the U.S. being in the way of their plans, Japan took precautions against the U.S. along with the support of their allies. Essentially, Japan’s greed and desire for having control over Southeast Asia and the Pacific region provoked a conflict that was bound to happen

On December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was the target of an unannounced military attack by the Japanese Navy. This resulted in the United States entry into World War II. After almost 4 years of war, 400,000 US casualties, 6 months of air strikes on Japanese cities and an impending defeat of Japan, an ultimatum was delivered to Japan by the United States: surrender or be destroyed.