THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 7, 1941 – HOW AND WHY IT SUCCEEDED

Early in the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based planes and submarines attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet and nearby military airfields at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Eight American battleships and ten other naval vessels were sunk or badly damaged.  A total of 64 American aircraft were destroyed and over 3,400 military personnel were killed or wounded.  The attack marked the entrance of Japan into World War II on the side of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and the entrance of the U.S. on the side of the allies – thus World War II.  The attack was always considered possible but not probable. Were critical judgment errors made by America’s national leaders and its military that made America so vulnerable or did motivations by America’s European allies to have America represented in WW II result in this devastating attack?  Listen to this stimulating presentation to find out.