Pearl Harbor Day

[Trinity Heckroth]

On december 7th, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked and bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and pulled the USA into the second world war.

Aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack on Pearl Harbor, crew members cheer departing pilots

A photo taken from a Japanese plane during the attack shows docked American battleships, and in the distance, smoke rising from Hickam Airfield where 35 men having breakfast in the mess hall were killed after a direct bomb hit.

The USS Shaw explodes during the Japanese air raid.

The battleship USS Arizona after a bomb penetrated into the forward magazine causing massive explosions and killing 1,104 men.

The next day, president FDR gave a speech to the American public. The speech was as follows.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese government also launched as attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

On this date, we take a moment to look back into our past, and examine it, hoping to learn from it. For only in learning from our past, can we create a better future.

[Lanny Ansar]

We were unofficially involved in the war quite a bit earlier than Pearl Harbor. We had established the 1st American Volunteer Group (Or the "Flying Tigers") and had them stationed within China by Mid-1941, defending China from the threat that japan was possessing, along with the US, Great Britain, and the Netherlands agreeing to Oil and Steel Embargos by August 1941. This essentially crippled Japan, being that the Island of japan itself is not even relatively close to being capable of producing resources, and that they relied entirely on export. We took up about 80% of japan's Oil Exports, which left them with only a few choices: Pull out of China and attempt to negotiate, or risk full-on war. Kanoe (Japan's Prime Minister) attempted to negotiate peace talks with FDR, but Japan's Military already had an eye out for the Netherlands / East Indies for their Oil and Rubber supplies, and after being entirely unsuccessful, Kanoe resigned as Prime Minister, and our good ol' buddy Hideki Tojo came in.

I believe we know the rest.

[Crash Silverfall]

As they made the beautiful movie: Pearl Harbor

[Lanny Ansar]

As they made the beautiful 4+ Hour movie: Pearl Harbor

Fixed

[Arc Vyper]

Civil Air Patrol's first mission was flying in relief to Pearl Harbor.

[Crash Silverfall]

Fixed