Pearl Harbor: 19 Ships Destroyed In The Deadly Attack

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941, is one of the most infamous events in modern history. The attack, which killed over 2,400 Americans and destroyed 19 ships, led to the United States' entry into World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor is still remembered today as a turning point in American history, and it continues to be studied by historians and military strategists around the world.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was intended to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japanese expansionist policies in Asia. The Japanese had been expanding their empire in East Asia for years, and they saw the U.S. as a major obstacle to their plans. By attacking Pearl Harbor, the Japanese hoped to weaken the U.S. enough to prevent them from interfering with their plans.

In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, a wave of Japanese aircraft descended upon Pearl Harbor, catching the U.S. military by surprise. The attack lasted for approximately two hours, during which time the Japanese dropped bombs and launched torpedoes at the U.S. naval ships and facilities. The attack was highly successful, with 19 ships sunk or badly damaged, including eight battleships.

Background of the Attack

In the years leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, tensions between the United States and Japan had been escalating. The Japanese had been expanding their empire in East Asia, and the U.S. had been imposing economic sanctions on them in an attempt to slow their expansion. The Japanese saw the U.S. as a major obstacle to their plans, and they began to plan a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

The Japanese had been planning the attack for months, and they had gathered a large fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships, and other warships in the Pacific. They had also developed a new type of torpedo that could run in the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor, which they believed would give them an advantage over the U.S. naval defenses.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

At 6:00 AM on December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched their attack on Pearl Harbor. A wave of Japanese aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and torpedo planes, descended upon the U.S. naval base. The aircraft were armed with bombs and torpedoes, and they were determined to inflict as much damage as possible on the U.S. naval ships and facilities.

The attack caught the U.S. military by surprise, and they were initially unable to respond effectively. The Japanese aircraft were able to fly low over the naval base, dropping bombs and launching torpedoes at the U.S. ships. The U.S. naval defenses were quickly overwhelmed, and many of the ships were sunk or badly damaged.

Ships Destroyed in the Attack

A total of 19 ships were sunk or badly damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor. These included:

8 battleships: USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, and USS Nevada
3 cruisers: USS Helena, USS Raleigh, and USS Honolulu
3 destroyers: USS Cassin, USS Downes, and USS Shaw
4 auxiliary ships: USS Utah, USS Oglala, USS Tangier, and USS Rigel
1 minelayer: USS Oglala

Aftermath of the Attack

The attack on Pearl Harbor had a profound impact on the United States. It led to a formal declaration of war by the U.S. against Japan, and it drew the U.S. into World War II. The attack also had a profound impact on American society, leading to a massive mobilization of the U.S. military and a shift in the U.S. economy towards a war footing.

The attack on Pearl Harbor also led to a number of important changes in the U.S. military. It led to a greater emphasis on naval aviation, and it led to the development of new tactics and technologies for defending against surprise attacks.

Legacy of the Attack

The attack on Pearl Harbor is still remembered today as a turning point in American history. It led to the U.S. entry into World War II, and it had a profound impact on American society and culture.

The attack on Pearl Harbor also serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for surprise attacks. It highlights the need for strong naval defenses and the importance of intelligence gathering and analysis.