Pearl Harbour re-visited.

______________________________________________________________Vol. 6 Issue. 69 6th December 1941 3 pence ______________________________________________________________

PEARL HARBOUR RE-VISITED

By Ben Doff

The attack on Pearl Harbour occurred on December 6th 1941 in Oahu, Hawaii, and was called a "day of infamy" by President F.D. Roosevelt. This event brought the United States of America into World War 2. It all started when the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked in Oahu, Hawaii by the Japanese. During this time of year when we remember those lost at war, we need to re-visit those historical events that shaped the lives of the soldiers and changed many people’s lives forever.

It was in the early morning on December 7, 1941, as the sun was just beginning to rise in Oahu, Hawaii. A fleet of Japanese naval air forces were setting off from their respective aircraft carriers in various locations in the Pacific Ocean. Just as many of the islanders were waking up for breakfast, the attack began. The Japanese air fleet had arrived with revenge. No one was prepared for what was going to happen. Pearl Harbour, the United States' centre for military action in the Pacific Ocean, was almost completely destroyed. Anger toward the Japanese spread quickly throughout the entire country, and this anger led to the United States' entry into World War II.

The Japanese attack was devised and orchestrated by Admiral Isorohu Yamamoto. At first he was critical of war with the United States, however, if conflict was going to be unavoidable then he decided that a silent attack was going to be the most effective way to wound the Americans. Yamamoto intended to temporarily cripple America while he quickly conquered South East Asia and collected their resources along the way. He had hoped the attack would demoralise the American forces and ultimately Roosevelt would sign a peace treaty with Japan.

In November the Japanese army set out on their hundred-mile journey to Pearl Harbour, while maintaining complete radio silence. The first attack was on the 6th of December at six o’clock in the morning and it consisted of 183 bombers and torpedo bombers. The first wave of planes was said to have done the most damage. The second wave of planes came in at 08.54 and consisted of 170 planes.

The attack lasted two hours and only 29 Japanese planes were brought down. On the 7th of December, American president Roosevelt stated that “Today is a day of sadness and loss, ...

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The attack lasted two hours and only 29 Japanese planes were brought down. On the 7th of December, American president Roosevelt stated that “Today is a day of sadness and loss, but not a day of defeat. The American nation will survive. The American nation will continue with their lives and the American nation will retaliate to this outburst of war”.

Japan and America before Pearl Harbour:

The attack was one of the cleverest and most cunning attacks of the 20th century. Why did they choose America? Why not Germany, the instigators of WW2? Many people thought the attack was unnecessary and dishonourable. However, relations between America and Japan in the early 1930’s were fairly tense.

For many years America had been suppling oil to Japan, one of Japan’s most valued materials. In the mid 1930’s, Japan was lacking raw materials, especially oil. They planned to invade and take over the majority of South East Asia, which would boost their economy and their resources. America had been loyal to South East Asia for many years and did not approve of the take over. Although they knew this would cause conflict, the Japanese had no choice but to ignore America and take over South East Asia. The two countries could not compromise, so America put a brake on all oil going into Japan in 1937. With no oil, the Japanese navy and air force came to an immediate halt, and the Japanese economy dropped dramatically. Japan was outraged and they saw this as an act of war and felt the need to react immediately. Evidently, this was the excuse Japan used for the attack on Pearl Harbour.

Japan was also angry at America due to an incident which occurred in 1853 when America forced Japan to trade with them. They never forgot the shame and humiliation of this event and swore they would seek revenge on America. The opportunity presented itself at Pearl Harbour.

Australia’s Reaction to the Japanese attack:

When Pearl Harbour was bombed the entire alliance panicked. America was seen to be the ultimate power and seemed to be invincible. The damage at Pearl Harbour seemed fatal for a nation at war and the German vision for the first time seemed possible. Australia was particularly concerned considering their defence was poor due to the involvement of war in Europe and a relatively small population. While the Americans gathered their resources after the 6th December disaster, Australia felt even more threatened, with most of their troops fighting in South East Asia and Europe. However, America proved its loyalty to Australia by continuing to offer defence if necessary. This alliance between Australia and America became stronger than the alliance between Australia and Britain and Australia felt that America was more reliable than the British, as there were still mixed emotions towards the British after world war one.

Australia at War:

Only forty years after its initial establishment as a country, Australia found itself in the middle of a world war for the second time. Japan’s long-term master plan was to invade and control the majority of the southeast Pacific, and stretch its empire as far south as Australia. This threatened Australia greatly, as Japan would have most likely seen Australia as an easy target due to the size of its population and saw this opportunity as an excellent way to re-establish itself in the war and show Britain they were not going to be beaten easily.

If Japan was successful in their invasion of Australia, then this would have also affected the outcome of the war in Europe. Australia would have to pool all its men in its attempt to overcome the Japanese and this loss of support in Europe may have turned the tide of the war.

As soon as Australia saw the potential threat they faced, many Australian troops returned home from war in Europe to protect our shores from the Japanese threat and soon after America also came to the nation’s aid. This would have been a very challenging time for Australia, their survival being questioned for the second time in forty years. For a nation to have faced the terrors Australia did, and in World War Two, it is quite incredible that today, Australia survived to be come one of the most envious and respected countries in the world.

If it wasn’t for the support America gave to Australia, it is almost certain that the major population of Australia today would be Japanese. If Japan were able to conquer Australia it would have been only a minor victory. At this time Australia was seen as a very young and small country, somewhere in the south pacific and quite undeveloped. However it would have re-affirmed Japanese control in this region and may have enabled the Germans to win World War Two.

In the entire history of American warfare, the nation has never been affected as severely as they were on the 6th, December, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, which killed over 3000 American soldiers, only made the United States of America stronger. This was the beginning of a long, fierce and cruel battle between America and Japan.

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour killed over 3000 innocent American’s and damaged over 500 million dollars of America. The Japanese admiral Isorohu Yamamato, who devised the attack on Pearl Harbour on the 6th, December, 1941 said that, “We have won the battle but I feel we have only awoken a sleeping giant”. And he was right! For Australians, this event meant that our ties to Britain were no longer as strong. America replaced Britain as our number one ally and continues to be in the present stage.

America is feared worldwide as a patriotic nation ready to defend itself and its allies, even to the point of war. Australia is proud to be an American ally as we would not be where we are today without the United States of America.

Pearl Harbour - The US enters World War Two Richard Tames 2000

America – From New World to World Power Graham White 1986 p.160

Encarta ‘95’

PEARL HARBOUR

RE-VISITED