Pearl Harbor Attack
By: Caleb Anglin
What Happened?
On December 7, 1941 every house and window shook, as there was a explosion. The attack appeared to be towards ships and airplanes. Many bodies were found, but many deaths were not witnessed. Many people were scared, but many had to fight to stay alive. On December 6, 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt tried to make peace with the Emperor of Japan, there was no reply. The Japanese attack was under command of Admiral Nagumo. There were 423 planes total, but at 6 a.m., the first wave of only 183 planes struck. The second wave of 167 planes headed towards Pearl Harbor and attacked at 7:15 a.m. No American saw this coming. The first attack aimed towards airfields and battleships. The second attack aimed towards other ships and shipyard facilities. 8 battleships were damaged and 5 were sunk. 3 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, three smaller vessels, and 188 aircraft were lost. Japan lost 27 planes and 5 midget submarines.
Why did this happen?
Many ships were sunk and burned.
Much friction was caused between Japan and the U.S
What else happened?
Over 2,000 soldiers and sailors died. This happened at around 8 a.m and Japanese planes fighters attack a U.S naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. The USS Shaw and the USS Arizona were destroyed while the USS Arizona killed 1,104 men. The USS West Virginia survived and was later rebuilt. On December 8, 1941 Britain and the United States declare war on Japan. 3 days later Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. This was a boost for the United States to enter World War II.