Co-Authored By:
Asked by: Zdenek Avellanas
news and politics war and conflictsWas the attack on Pearl Harbor a surprise?
Last Updated: 20th March, 2020
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise, preemptive military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States (a neutral country at the time) against the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, just before 08:00, on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941.
Click to see full answer.
Considering this, why was the attack on Pearl Harbor a surprise?
Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor would drive the United States out of isolation and into World War II, a conflict that would end with Japan's surrender after the devastating nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. At first, however, the Pearl Harbor attack looked like a success for Japan.
Similarly, how long did attack on Pearl Harbor last? By 0800 hrs the majority of US fighter planes were destroyed. They had been lined up on the airfields to prevent sabotage. The torpedo planes inflicted most of the initial damage to the ships at Pearl Harbor. The torpedo attack lasted about 11 minutes and was followed by bombers.
In this way, why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?
As war was inevitable, Japan's only chance was the element of surprise and to destroy America's navy as quickly as possible. Japan wanted to move into the Dutch East Indies and Malaya to conquer territories that could provide important natural resources such as oil and rubber.
What events led to the attack on Pearl Harbor?
- 1937.
- July: Japan invades North China from Manchuria.
- 1940.
- July: U.S. imposes trade sanctions, followed by an embargo, aimed at curbing Japan's military aggression in Asia.
- 1941.
- January: Adm. Yamamoto begins communicating with other Japanese officers about a possible attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Jan.
- February: Adm.