The Japanese Attack On Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941–Videos

Posted on August 25, 2011. Filed under: American History, Blogroll, Books, Business, Comedy, Communications, Computers, Crime, Diasters, Employment, Federal Government, Foreign Policy, government, government spending, history, Investments, Language, Law, liberty, Life, Links, People, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Public Sector, Rants, Raves, Unions, Video, War, Wealth, Weapons, Wisdom | Tags: December 7 1941, Pearl Harbor, Surprise Attack |

This authoritative and suspenseful documentary takes you inside the secret activities of the Americans, the British and the Japanese as each nation moved fatefully toward the “date that will live in infamy.” For nearly 50 years, the world has believed President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s declaration that the Pearl Harbor attack was a completely unexpected assault on a neutral nation. Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor tells another, hidden story – using actual recording of intercepted diplomatic communications, declassified government documents, archival footage and interviews with diplomats and spies from around the world. We now know that intelligence operatives from the US and three Allied nations monitored the Japanese fleet’s progress on its deadly mission to Oahu in late 1941. Yet neither Admiral Kimmel nor General Short received a word of warning that might have allowed them to avert the sacrifice of 4,000 American casualties in less than 90 minutes.

Links to informative news articles by The New American magazine and other sources:

Pearl Harbor: The Facts Behind the Fiction
The raid on Pearl Harbor took the U.S. Pacific Fleet by surprise, but back in Washington, the Roosevelt administration was fully aware of the coming onslaught.

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 1 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 2 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 3 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 4 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 5 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 6 of 7)

Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor (Part 7 of 7)

Conspiracy? FDR And Pearl Harbor Part 1/3

Conspiracy? FDR And Pearl Harbor Part 2/3

Conspiracy? FDR And Pearl Harbor Part 3/3

(1/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor Episode 1 World War II

(2/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor Episode 1 World War II

(3/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor Episode 1 World War II

(4/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor Episode 1 World War II

(5/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor Episode 1 World War II

Background Articles and Videos

Japan – United States relations

“…Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese American relations had been constricted for years. Reasons for this include the belief that Western powers were hostile to Japan. America knew this and it led to problems arising within their relationship. The Japanese believed they were looked at as inferior. The relationship was also strained because the US opposed Japanese expansion and Japan’s demands were not being achieved by diplomacy. “… the American’s believe they are better than us. We are unable to keep a steady relationship with them as long as they hold these opinions. … The American’s are not complying with our demands… For these reasons our relationship is constricted, shall remain that way and will not be able to grow.” translated Masakazu Nanba 5 March 1938. These situations within their relationship all contributed to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor was seen from a public eye as a surprise, however in analyzing Japanese-American relations over the years leading to the attack, one can see an erosion in communications between the two countries. Japan being an energy scarce country, expansion was seen as the only viable source of securing their energy needs. The attack can only be seen as a culmination point in regards to Japanese-American interests in the Pacific region. Under the Washington Naval treaty and the London Naval treaty, the American navy was to be equal to the Japanese army by a ratio of 10:7.^[9] However, as of 1934, the Japanese ended their disarmament policies and enabled rearmament policy with no limitations.^[9] The government in Tokyo was well informed of its military weakness in the Pacific in regards to the American fleet. The foremost important factor in realigning their military policies was the need by Japan to move away from U.S oil dependence, securing new oil and energy sources.^[10]

Through the 1930s, Japan’s oil consumption was dependent at 90% on imports, 80% of it coming from the United States.^[10] Furthermore, the vast majority of this oil import was oriented towards the Navy and the military.^[11] America opposed Tokyo’s expansionist policies in China, the East Indies and the Pacific Islands. On July 26, 1940 the U.S. government passed the Export Control Act, cutting oil, iron and steel exports to Japan.^[10] This containment policy was seen by Washington as a warning to Japan that any further military expansion would result in further sanctions. However, Tokyo saw it as a blockade to counter Japanese military and economic strength. Accordingly, by the time the United States enforced the Export Act, Japan had stockpiled around 54 million barrels of oil.^[12] America exported oil to Japan until 1940, long after the invasion of Manchuria. Sanctions were too weak and not focused enough to stop the Japanese military at an early stage of expansion. By 1940, the American share of export of oil on the Japanese market dropped to 60%.^[13]

These various actions taken by Washington were nothing compared to the full embargo imposed on Japan in July 1941.^[12] All oil shipments were held back and Japanese assets in the United States were to be frozen. Since only 4.5 million barrels of oil were coming in from the Dutch East Indies, Japan’s reaction was to organize an attack of the United States on the Pacific front.^[10] The attacks on Pearl Harbor were strongly influenced by the energy insecurity which the embargo created.

Japan attacked the American navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. In response, the United States declared war on Japan, starting a four year war between the United States and Japan. Japan’s Axis allies, including Nazi Germany, declared war on the United States shortly after the attack, bringing the United States into World War II. By producing materials, island-hopping, and heavy bombing of Japanese cities and conquering Japanese-held areas (and after two uses of nuclear weapons and Russia’s official entry into war against Japan), the United States and its allies forced Japan to surrender, thus ending the hostilities. …”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_%E2%80%93_United_States_relations

Export Control Act

“…The Export Control Act of 1940 was one in a series of legislative efforts by the United States government and initially the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to accomplish two tasks: to avoid scarcity of critical commodities in a likely pre-war environment^[1] and, more notably, to limit the exportation of materiel to pre-World War II Imperial Japan. The act originated as a presidential proclamation by Roosevelt forbidding the exporting of aircraft parts, chemicals, and minerals without a license, and was intended to induce Japan to curtail its occupation of the Indo-Chinese coast.^[2]

The text of the Act stated that whenever the President deemed it “necessary in the interest of national defense,” he could prohibit or curtail the exportation of military equipment, munitions, tools and materials.^[3][4]

Although controls were first authorized in 1940 in regard to munitions and similar materials essential to the defense effort, its coverage was extended in 1942 to all commodities, and broader geographic coverage, following America’s entry into World War II. The law was extended, with modifications through 1948, and it was envisioned that remaining controls would soon disappear at the time of re-enactment in 1949. The scarcity of certain goods in the world markets however, made continuance of controls necessary in order to prevent a drain on such goods from plentiful American supplies with its consequential inflationary effects. National security and foreign policy concerns, especially following the outbreak of the Korean War, were new and compelling reasons for passing the Export Control Act of 1949, and in extending it until (at least) 1958. The law included both domestic policies aimed primarily at conditions within the United States, as well as controls directed at conditions outside the country, as an instrument of American foreign policy. This is exemplified by the restrictions on export of certain strategic or military items to the Soviet bloc or to other countries which it felt, if permitted, would be detrimental to the foreign policy program of the US during the Cold War. The foreign policy motive became so strong that it brought legislation directing the President to enlist the cooperation of other nations in enacting controls on trade with the Soviet block to parallel those of the United States. The benefits of the various economic and military aid programs were to be withheld from non-cooperating nations, as in the Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act of 1951. …”

Background

“Moral embargo”

The Act was seen as a codified “moral embargo”, in that it was an expression of moral outrage,^[5] in this instance, stemming from the Japanese bombing of civilians in mainland China in the late 1930s. In June 1938, the U.S. Secretary of State, Cordell Hull on June, 1938 condemned the slaughter and its “material encouragement”. A month later, the Department of State notified aircraft manufacturers and exporters that the United States Government was “strongly opposed”^[5] to the sale of airplanes and related materiel to those nations using airplanes to attack civilian populations.

In 1939, the non-binding embargo was extended to materials essential to airplane manufacture and to plans, plants, and technical information for the production of high-quality aviation gasoline. These measures resulted in the suspension of the export to Japan of aircraft, aeronautical equipment, and other materials within the scope of the moral embargoes. As Japanese purchases of items other than aircraft and aeronautical equipment were minuscule, the moral embargo ultimately stopped the exportation of arms to Japan.

End of commercial treaties

Following the failure of diplomatic efforts to protect endangered American lives, rights and economic interests in China, America considered commercial retaliation against Japan. by Japanese authorities or Japanese-sponsored agents in China. The American government felt that its 1911 commercial treaty with Japan was not affording an appropriate level of protection to U.S. commerce in areas within or occupied by Japan. Simultaneously, Japan’s position under the treaty as a most favoured nation legally prevented the adoption of retaliatory measures against Japanese commerce. When the United States gave six-month notice of its withdrawal from the treaty in July, 1939, it removed the primary legal obstacle for embargo.^[5][6]

Effects

The embargo, which halted the shipment of material such as airplanes, parts, machine tools, and aviation gasoline, was designed to be an unfriendly act, but expanding it to include oil was specifically avoided. Japan was dependent on U.S. oil, and it was thought at the time that such would be a provocative step.^[7]

The Act was expanded in September of that year to include iron and steel scrap,^[8] an act that Japanese Ambassador Horinouchi warned Secretary Hull on October 8, 1940 might be considered an “unfriendly act”.^[9]

Controls were first authorized in 1940 in regard to munitions and similar materials essential to the defense effort, and extended in 1942 to all commodities.^[10] Always intended to be only temporary, the 1940 act was successfully extended in 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947.^[11]

Retaliation

The United States was not alone in its concern. Great Britain, which maintained colonies in the Far East also feared an aggressive Japan. Immediately following the enactment of the Act, the British ambassador would be asked by Japan to close the Burma Road, a key supply route of arms for China. Britain initially refused the request, but for a short period of time closed the road.^[2] The British and the Dutch followed suit in embargoing trade to Japan from their colonies in southeast Asia.^[12]

The ending of the commercial trade treaties further eroded the possibilities for dialogue between the two nations.^[13] Noted political economist Robert Higgs points out:

“

Roosevelt and his subordinates knew they were putting Japan in an untenable position and…that the Japanese government might well try to escape the stranglehold by going to war.[12]

”

Robert Stinnett notes in his book, Day Of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor, that America had broken the Japanese diplomatic code and knew that due to the pressure exerted by the Export Control Act, war was quickly becoming an inevitable outcome. He points to a deciphered communiqué between Foreign Minister Teijiro Toyoda and Ambassador Kichisaburō Nomura on July 31: “Commercial and economic relations between Japan and third countries, led by England and the United States, are gradually becoming so horribly strained that we cannot endure it much longer. Consequently, our Empire, to save its very life, must take measures to secure the raw materials of the South Seas.”^[12][14]

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

attack on Pearl Harbor

“…The attack on Pearl Harbor (called Hawaii Operation or Operation AI^[6][7] by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters (Operation Z in planning)^[8] and the Battle of Pearl Harbor^[9]) 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.

The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.^[10] Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and the four others present were damaged. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship,^{[nb 2]} and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 men were killed^[12] and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.

The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day (December 8) the United States declared war on Japan. Domestic support for isolationism, which had been strong, disappeared. Clandestine support of Britain (for example the Neutrality Patrol) was replaced by active alliance. Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Germany and Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day.

Despite numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy”. …”

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

 

Pearl Harbor History: Why Did Japan Attack? Eyewitness Accounts, Casualty List, Background

What Happened?

What led up to that Day in Infamy?

 

“…War itself generally makes little sense, but the attack on Pearl Harbor has always sparked the imagination.
3,500 Americans were killed or wounded in the attack on December 7, 1941.

Before The Attack

September 1940. The U.S. placed an embargo on Japan by prohibiting exports of steel, scrap iron, and aviation fuel to Japan, due to Japan’s takeover of northern French Indochina.

April 1941. The Japanese signed a neutrality treaty with the Soviet Union to help prevent an attack from that direction if they were to go to war with Britain or the U.S. while taking a bigger bite out of Southeast Asia.

June 1941 through the end of July 1941. Japan occupied southern Indochina. Two days later, the U.S., Britain, and the Netherlands froze Japanese assets. This prevented Japan from buying oil, which would, in time, cripple its army and make its navy and air force completely useless.

Toward the end of 1941. With the Soviets seemingly on the verge of defeat by the Axis powers, Japan seized the opportunity to try to take the oil resources of Southeast Asia. The U.S. wanted to stop Japanese expansion but the American people were not willing to go to war to stop it.  The U.S. demanded that Japan withdraw from China and Indochina, but would have settled for a token withdrawal and a promise not to take more territory.

Prior to December 1941, Japan pursued two simultaneous courses: try to get the oil embargo lifted on terms that would still let them take the territory they wanted, and … to prepare for war.

After becoming Japan’s premier in mid-October, General Tojo Hideki See Books about Tojo secretly set November 29 as the last day on which Japan would accept a settlement without war.

The Japanese military was asked to devise a war plan. They proposed to sweep into Burma, Malaya, the East Indies, and the Philippines, in addition to establishing a defensive perimeter in the central and southwest Pacific. They expected the U.S. to declare war but not to be willing to fight long or hard enough to win. Their greatest concern was that the U.S. Pacific Fleet, based in Pearl Harbor could foil their plans. As insurance, the Japanese navy undertook to cripple the Pacific Fleet by a surprise air attack.  See Books about Japanese Plans

The Warnings

The U.S. had broken the Japanese diplomatic code and knew an attack was imminent. A warning had been sent from Washington, but it arrived too late.

Early warning radar was new technology.  Japanese planes were spotted by radar before the attack, but they were assumed to be a flight of American B-17s due in from the West Coast.  Read the eyewitness account

The Attack

On December 7th 1941, on an otherwise peaceful Sunday morning on a beautiful Hawaiian island, the first wave of Japanese airplanes left 6 aircraft carriers and struck Pearl Harbor a few minutes before 8 AM local time. See Map of Pearl Harbor

In two waves of terror lasting two long hours, they killed or wounded over 3,500 Americans and sank or badly damaged 18 ships – including all 8 battleships of the Pacific Fleet – and over 350 destroyed or damaged aircraft.  At least 1,177 lives were lost when the Battleship U.S.S. Arizona More about the Arizona exploded and subsequently sank.

 

http://www.pearlharbor.org/history-of-pearl-harbor.asp

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