Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor: A Tragic Historical Event
Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor: A Tragic Historical Event
The attack on Pearl Harbor, which took place on December 7, 1941, is one of the most significant events in American history. On that fateful day, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise assault on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, resulting in the sinking of numerous American ships and the loss of thousands of lives. In this article, we will explore the ships that were sunk during the attack and provide an overview of the events surrounding this tragic historical event.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was intended to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japanese expansionist policies in Asia. The Japanese military had been planning the attack for months, and on the morning of December 7, 1941, a fleet of 353 Japanese aircraft descended upon Pearl Harbor, catching the American military by surprise.
The attack began at 7:55 a.m. Hawaiian Time, with the first wave of Japanese aircraft targeting the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s battleships and airfields. The second wave, which arrived about an hour later, focused on the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s cruisers and destroyers. The attack lasted for approximately two hours, resulting in widespread destruction and chaos.
Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor
A total of 19 U.S. Navy ships were sunk or damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor, including eight battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, and five auxiliary ships. The following is a list of the ships that were sunk during the attack:
- Arizona (BB-39): A Pennsylvania-class battleship that was sunk after a bomb hit its forward magazine, resulting in the loss of 1,177 lives.
- California (BB-44): A Tennessee-class battleship that was sunk after being hit by two bombs and two torpedoes, resulting in the loss of 100 lives.
- Oklahoma (BB-37): A Nevada-class battleship that was sunk after being hit by four torpedoes, resulting in the loss of 415 lives.
- Utah (AG-16): A Florida-class battleship that was sunk after being hit by two torpedoes, resulting in the loss of 58 lives.
- West Virginia (BB-48): A Colorado-class battleship that was sunk after being hit by two bombs and seven torpedoes, resulting in the loss of 106 lives.
- Tennessee (BB-43): A Tennessee-class battleship that was damaged after being hit by two bombs, but was later repaired and returned to service.
- Pennsylvania (BB-38): A Pennsylvania-class battleship that was damaged after being hit by a bomb, but was later repaired and returned to service.
- Maryland (BB-46): A Colorado-class battleship that was damaged after being hit by two bombs, but was later repaired and returned to service.
Casualties and Aftermath
The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in a total of 2,403 American fatalities, including 1,177 crew members of the USS Arizona. An additional 1,178 Americans were wounded during the attack. The Japanese also lost 55 airmen and nine submariners during the attack.
The attack on Pearl Harbor led to a formal declaration of war by the United States against Japan, and subsequently against Germany and Italy, marking the country’s entry into World War II. The attack also led to a significant increase in American military mobilization and a shift in the country’s foreign policy, with the United States emerging as one of the world’s superpowers in the aftermath of the war.
🌟 Note: The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in American history, leading to the country's entry into World War II and resulting in significant changes to its foreign policy and military mobilization.
Conclusion
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a tragic historical event that resulted in the sinking of numerous American ships and the loss of thousands of lives. The event marked a turning point in American history, leading to the country’s entry into World War II and resulting in significant changes to its foreign policy and military mobilization. Today, the USS Arizona Memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost during the attack, and the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually on December 7 to honor the victims of the attack.
What was the main objective of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?
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The main objective of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japanese expansionist policies in Asia.
How many American ships were sunk or damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor?
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A total of 19 U.S. Navy ships were sunk or damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor, including eight battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, and five auxiliary ships.
What was the total number of American fatalities during the attack on Pearl Harbor?
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The total number of American fatalities during the attack on Pearl Harbor was 2,403, including 1,177 crew members of the USS Arizona.
Related Terms:
- USS Arizona
- Arizona battleship