While we blame the Japanese for the deaths and destruction (and yes, they were the instruments of that death and destruction), I put equal blame on the US Army and US Navy.
US wargaming in the 1930s had shown that Billy Mitchell was right and that Pearl Harbor was vulnerable to an attack. But in spite of that, the Navy brass insisted that they (US Navy) could not conduct an undetected strike across thousands of miles of the Pacific, and therefore, neither could the Japanese.
The Navy insisted that the waters of Pearl Harbor were too shallow for torpedo attacks. The Japanese made changes they needed to make torpedo attacks highly successful.
The Army commander in Hawaii insisted that the real threat to the airfields was from Japanese-Americans, not an aerial attack.
The US forces were supposed to be on a “War Alert” status, but that sure did not seem to be the actual situation.
The Navy and Army spent more time before the war fighting with each other than preparing to fight a real war. They did not share intelligence well at all. There was no center for evaluating all intelligence — except FDR, who loved to get intel reports. But he was one man, and there was not much in the way of deciding what was real, and what wasn’t, nor to evaluate significance. Some cooperation between the services would have been very helpful.
Most of those who died on Dec 7 did so because of the failures of the US military to make realistic assessments.
I will say though, that the experience was taken to heart by the US military. I listened to talks by senior officers speaking of the need to avoid “a Pearl Harbor in Space.” Not loss of people, but loss of warfighting ability.
On a visit to Hickam AFB, I noticed that the building I had just been in had some peculiar markings, that looked like someone had tried to drill. I then realized that they were holes from 20mm cannon shells from Japanese strafing. A constant reminder for the need of informed vigilance.
Our military geniuses are still preparing us to fight WW2 , with bigger and bigger aircraft carriers, and fighter aircraft that cost tens of millions each. Stuff that will be obsolete in any new war.
My dad served in the Navy in the South Pacific during WW II. He came to do his sentry duty (watching radar, monitoring communications), and found that the previous crew had been playing poker while smoothly sailing during the moonless night. He turned on all the gear, waited for them to all warm up….and discovered they had sailed into the middle of a Japanese fleet.
Evidently, the Japanese were just as careless, as they managed to slip away undiscovered. Sometimes you can survive stupid.
The British thought the Japanese tended to have weak eyesight and therefore they couldn’t be any good at dive bombing. So they sent the battleship Prince of Wales and its cruiser, Repulse, out to sea without air cover. Japanese bombers sank them both in an hour.
And 79 years and 1 month later, another day that will live in infamy. The difference is on January 6, 2021, the attack on our nation was from within. Let us never forget that!
When my Grand mother went to a nursing home in 1998, my wife and I traveled to Louisiana to sort through her things. In a drawer, we found a Christmas card addressed to her from a cousin (who I didn’t know about) that was postmarked: USS Arizona, Dec 5,1941. I realized that by the time she got the card, he was already dead. She has saved that card for 57 years.
sipsienwa Premium Member over 2 years ago
I am surprised there are not more acknowledgements of this today. Read RED ROVER
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Most people call that kind of thing “oil spill”. Even when there’s an emotional component, it’s still pollution.
B 8671 over 2 years ago
God bless each and everyone entombed there. They paid the ultimate price and they got a ticket straight to heaven!
Walter Kocker Premium Member over 2 years ago
Fair Winds and Following Seas, my brothers
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 2 years ago
While we blame the Japanese for the deaths and destruction (and yes, they were the instruments of that death and destruction), I put equal blame on the US Army and US Navy.
US wargaming in the 1930s had shown that Billy Mitchell was right and that Pearl Harbor was vulnerable to an attack. But in spite of that, the Navy brass insisted that they (US Navy) could not conduct an undetected strike across thousands of miles of the Pacific, and therefore, neither could the Japanese.
The Navy insisted that the waters of Pearl Harbor were too shallow for torpedo attacks. The Japanese made changes they needed to make torpedo attacks highly successful.
The Army commander in Hawaii insisted that the real threat to the airfields was from Japanese-Americans, not an aerial attack.
The US forces were supposed to be on a “War Alert” status, but that sure did not seem to be the actual situation.
The Navy and Army spent more time before the war fighting with each other than preparing to fight a real war. They did not share intelligence well at all. There was no center for evaluating all intelligence — except FDR, who loved to get intel reports. But he was one man, and there was not much in the way of deciding what was real, and what wasn’t, nor to evaluate significance. Some cooperation between the services would have been very helpful.
Most of those who died on Dec 7 did so because of the failures of the US military to make realistic assessments.
I will say though, that the experience was taken to heart by the US military. I listened to talks by senior officers speaking of the need to avoid “a Pearl Harbor in Space.” Not loss of people, but loss of warfighting ability.
On a visit to Hickam AFB, I noticed that the building I had just been in had some peculiar markings, that looked like someone had tried to drill. I then realized that they were holes from 20mm cannon shells from Japanese strafing. A constant reminder for the need of informed vigilance.
scote1379 Premium Member over 2 years ago
HAND SALUTE………………………………………………………………2
FrankErnesto over 2 years ago
Our military geniuses are still preparing us to fight WW2 , with bigger and bigger aircraft carriers, and fighter aircraft that cost tens of millions each. Stuff that will be obsolete in any new war.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 2 years ago
And what a waste.. 80 years later Japan has prettywell bought the island.
Bill D. Kat Premium Member over 2 years ago
“A date that will live in infamy”.
I Play One On TV over 2 years ago
My dad served in the Navy in the South Pacific during WW II. He came to do his sentry duty (watching radar, monitoring communications), and found that the previous crew had been playing poker while smoothly sailing during the moonless night. He turned on all the gear, waited for them to all warm up….and discovered they had sailed into the middle of a Japanese fleet.
Evidently, the Japanese were just as careless, as they managed to slip away undiscovered. Sometimes you can survive stupid.
Hapthorn over 2 years ago
The British thought the Japanese tended to have weak eyesight and therefore they couldn’t be any good at dive bombing. So they sent the battleship Prince of Wales and its cruiser, Repulse, out to sea without air cover. Japanese bombers sank them both in an hour.
Lou Nattic, né Stan C over 2 years ago
And 79 years and 1 month later, another day that will live in infamy. The difference is on January 6, 2021, the attack on our nation was from within. Let us never forget that!
Scoutmaster77 over 2 years ago
When my Grand mother went to a nursing home in 1998, my wife and I traveled to Louisiana to sort through her things. In a drawer, we found a Christmas card addressed to her from a cousin (who I didn’t know about) that was postmarked: USS Arizona, Dec 5,1941. I realized that by the time she got the card, he was already dead. She has saved that card for 57 years.
pamela welch Premium Member over 2 years ago
Nicely done Marshall ♥♥
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
@Baslim the Beggar- Very interesting.