Pearl Harbour

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.

English: Chicago and North Western Railway locomot...

The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese...

NASA Satellite Image of Japan Captured March 11, 2...

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...