Pearl Harbor
S.
intelligence decodes a message pointing
to Sunday morning as a deadline for some
kind of Japanese action. The message is
delivered to the Washington high
command more than 4 hours before the
attack on Pearl Harbor. But the message
is not forwarded to the Pearl Harbor
commanders and finally arrives only after
the attack has begun.
At 07:55, Hawaiian time, the first wave of Japanese
aircraft begin the attack. Along with the ships in Pearl
Harbor, the air stations at Hickam, Wheeler, Ford
Island, Kaneohe and Ewa Field are attacked.
The Japanese attack continues for two hours and 20
minutes. When it's over, more than 2,400 Americans
are dead and nearly 1,200 wounded. Eighteen ships
have been sunk or damaged. More than 300 aircraft
are damaged or destroyed.
Dec. 8: President Roosevelt addresses Congress and
asks for a declaration of war against Japan, which he
receives.
Consequences
· Decisive Japanese victory