80 Years of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

80 Years of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Reported By C.Moalli December 7, 2021

Photograph taken from a Japanese plane at the beginning of the attack

On December 7th, 1941, at 07:48 local time, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on US Naval Station Pearl Harbor, on Honolulu, Hawaii, which housed the HQ of the US Pacific Fleet. That attack prompted the US declaration of war on Japan the following day and the remaining axis powers on December 11th.

Three hundred fifty-three planes, launched from 6 aircraft carriers of the Japanese Imperial Navy, conducted the attack split into two waves. The eight US Navy battleships present at Pearl Harbor were damaged, with four sunk. Excluding the USS Arizona, all damaged ships were later raised, and six were returned to service and fought in the Pacific Theater. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, one anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. A total of 188 US aircrafts were destroyed.

US forces shot down 29 Japanese aircrafts and destroyed five midget submarines. 2,335 US servicemen were killed during the attack, with 1,143 more wounded. Sixty-eight civilians lost their lives, and 35 more were wounded. The attacking forces endured 64 KIA and had one sailor captured. None of the US aircraft carriers were at Pearl Harbor during the attack.

Despite this significant blow, the US Navy recovered and moved forward on the Pacific Theater at WWII.

In honor and memory of those who fell, Hooah!