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Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a major turning point
in World War II for the United States. ... Pearl Harbor Enters the War. ...
Pearl Harbor not a surprise. Introduction ? Pearl Harbor was vulnerable
to attack because of the obstruction of defense and warning. ...
The Major Motion Picture "Pearl Harbor". Pearl ... As a history lesson, Pearl Harbor
can best be described as incomplete and perfunctory. This ...
Pearl Harbor Conspiracy. ?It was very apparent to everyone who ... tragedy to
rally the nation toward war. ?AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR. ...
Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor On ... foreigners. People living during World War II
were affected in the same ways by Pearl Harbor. (http://www ...
Submitted by kotar on October 29, 2005
Category: American History
Words: 355 | Pages: 2
Views: 116
Popularity Rank: 67,644
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Although Pearl Harbor started the Pacific War, a war that Japan would lose badly, the attack itself was no failure. The Japanese wanted to cripple the Pacific Fleet and give them the space to invade South-east Asia. They did: Japan won every major battle until Midway in June 1942. By that time it occupied territory from Manchuria to the East Indies, and from India\'s borders to deep into the Pacific. The attack on Pearl Harbor bought Japan the space and time it needed.
Although only chance saved the American aircraft carriers, their survival was a major blow. However, the primary problem with the attack was the planning. Had Japan focused beyond the fleet and targeted the crucial shore facilities and oil reserves, it could have inflicted far greater and more lasting damage. As it was, of the ships damaged or sunk on December 7th 1941, only three - the Arizona, Oklahoma and Utah - were damaged beyond repair, and Utah was already obsolete. Japan gave America the chance to rebuild its fleet and re-enter the fight with brand new kit.
\'Operationally brilliant, the attack was nonetheless strategically disastrous.\'
Even worse, rather than crushing American morale as planned, the attack united the country behind Roosevelt and behind war. Americans were incensed by Japan\'s failure to declare war until later that day: the sneak attack fuelled American determination to fight on, even in the face of the setbacks of early 1942.
Pearl Harbor and the invasion of South-east Asia showcased Japan at its best - capable of massive daring and painstaking preparation. Operationally brilliant, the attack was nonetheless strategically disastrous. Never again would Japan have the opportunity to act with such forethought and planning. It got itself the short term breathing space it wanted, but also a war against both Britain and America. To invite such confrontation was the result of courage, optimism and (possibly) madness on...
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