How did the Japanese succeed in launching such a devastating

attack on Pearl Harbor - and why did the Americans fail to

prevent it?

The Attack on Pearl Harbor• November 26, 1941 six Japanese aircraft carriers left for

Oahu, Northern Japan.• 408 aircraft to be used in the aerial torpedo attack: 360

for the two attack waves & 48 defensive patrols• The first wave to be primary attack, and the second to

finish anything off• Before the attack commenced, two scouting aircraft sent

to report on enemy and four others to patrol in the case of a counter-attack

• December 2 coded message arrived in Tokyo: "Climb Mt. Nitaka." This was the signal to wage war, and the fleet was to attack on December 7th 1941.

The First Wave• 183 planes launched north of Oahu, commanded by

Captain Mitsuo Fuchida hit its target at 7:53 AM • specially made aerial torpedoes designed for shallow

water • 54 dive bombers were to attack ground targets • aircrews ordered to target the important battleships

and aircraft carriers, or any other high value ships.• first wave especially ordered to attack and destory

parked aircraft to prevent them from taking off and defending themselves.

The Second Wave• Consisted of 171 planes, commanded by

Lieutenant-Commander Shigekazu Shimazaki hit it’s target at 8:55 am.

• 54 planes armed with general purpose bombs

• 81 others to target aircraft carriers and cruisers

• 36 focused on defense

How and why did America fail to prevent it?

• Due to Pearl Habor’s shallow waters they didn’t think an aerial torpedo strike would be possible

• Despite Britain warning America an attack of this type was possible because they attacked Italy November 1940 under similar circumstances

• Even though they knew Japan was planning hostilities they didn’t think Pearl Habor was a likely target

• The US decoded the statement that Japan was severing diplomatic relations with the US hinting that an attack was a possibility, however this wasn’t transmitted until it was too late

• Because there wasn’t extensive proof of Pearl Habor being a target, the local American navy and army commanders didn’t take excessive precautions in protecting their facilities, for example

- aircraft parked closely- torpedo nets not deployed- many officers and sailors on shore- minimal crew members available- warning signs disregarded by command authorities

• No action was taken when a number of unidentified aircraft were detected as it was presumed they were American, when in fact they were a part of the first wave