The attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 is probably the most well known raid in modern history. This well thought out and complex event was very much a tactical victory for the Japanese and like the raid on Taranto a few months previous, showed that aviation was able to wreak havoc on stationary naval vessels.

However, it was a strategic loss of a very large magnitude. It ensured that Japan would end up on the losing end of things and it helped to bring down Germany and Italy as well. Quite a series of consequences resulting from the will of one man, that being the sometimes petulant Isoroku Yamamoto.

Consider this. Had the Japanese not attacked the US Pacific fleet and continued in their conquest of British and Dutch possessions in Southeast Asia, there is an excellent chance that the US would not have gotten directly involved. The US had no treaties with either nation to come to their aid in time of war. Much of America was isolationist in their outlook. Without the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany would not have declared war as was their requirement under the Axis treaty, nor would have Italy. The American entry into the World War would have been delayed, perhaps for years, providing the Axis the time needed to solidify their gains.

Of course, this is all pure conjecture, but it was highly probable. However, Yamamoto felt that an attack at Pearl Harbor would not only nearly destroy the US Pacific Fleet, but would cause the US and other Allies to sue for peach, allowing the Japanese to keep their gains. The Japanese were living in a world of fantasy. The Pacific Fleet was not destroyed and carried out major raids against Japanese posessions and even Japan itself in the four months following Pearl Harbor. The loss of the battleships was no big deal as they were too slow for carrier task forces and besides, many were not returned to service until mid-late 1944.

Not only did Yamamoto screw up by attacking Pearl Harbor, he did so again at Midway six months later, though in that raid, the Japanese had major bad luck and lost a majority of their effective striking force.

Back at Pearl Harbor, the complacency and downright stupidity of many US commanders just made things easier for the Japanese. Airplanes were gathered together to protect against 'sabotage', making them easier targets thanks to General Short. The radar systems in place were not operated round the clock and the information centers that received initial radar and Navy reports dismissed the information provided to them. Even those aircraft that could have gotten airborne had been disarmed and as such, few got into the air and even fewer had any success.

Of course, the Japanese did not have it all go their way as there was some confusion, especially in the second attack, but thanks to the lack of preparedness on the US side, it was much less of a disaster than it could have been.

The result was a galvanizing of the American populace that turned into a hatred that motivated them to do all they could to see to the destruction of their enemies.

Mark Stille brings his insights, expertise, and superb research into play to show us just exactly what went on during this "day of infamy". Through combat reports and diaries on both sides, a clear picture of what happened during the 7th of December is provided to us, free of the usual embellishments we have come to consider as facts over a massive number of retellings. Included are many photos, quite a few of which we have seen before, but usually not in companion with each other. These help to tell the story of that day and help to enlighten us as to what really went on.

It was a book that I found to dispel myths and open my eyes to the events of the day. Most highly recommended.

November 2011

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