History
This is was the US Navy base for the
Pacific
Fleet. Battleship
Row is a row of moorings alongside Ford Island where the American
Battleships were moored. The were also submarine pens, fuel farms,
and all other manner of harbor facilities before the start of WWII.
Suprise Attack December 7, 1941
A
Japanese naval force based around the carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu,
Soryu, Shokaku, and the Zuikaku launched the surprise attach of
December 7, 1941 that brought the United States into World War
II.
Target of H8K Emily Flying Boat Attack
On the night of March 4-5, 1942, two Kawanishi H8K Emily flying
boats from the 24th Air Flotilla, based at Jaluit and Wotje bombed
Oahu's Mount Tantalus. Their intended target was Pearl Harbor,
which was covered in cloud. Instead, they dropped their bombs
on nearby Mount Tantalus causing no damage.
Second (Cancelled) Mavis Reconnaissance Mission
Another mission, secheduled for May 30, 1942 was to be a reconnaissance
mission over Pearl Harbor. It was cancelled when three submarines (I-121,
I-122 and I-123) discovered that French Frigate Shoals was under close
observation. If Yamamoto, had
known that Yorktown had made its way back to Pearl Harbor and was in
port with Enterprise and Hornet, this information might have been taken
into consideration during the upcoming battle of Midway.
Today
The harbor is still used by the US Navy. Several
museums and memorials ring the harbor, including the National Parks
and USN administered USS Arizon Memorial. Also, the retired battleship
Missouri forms the closing bookend of the Pacific war, the vessel
where Japan
officially surrendered in Tokyo Harbor on September 2, 1945.
Ford
Island
Island at the Center
of Pearl Harbor and Luke Field.
Battleship Row
USS
Arizona Memorial and Museum
The museum contains detailed history about
the attack, and artifacts. Included are parts of Japanese aerial
torpedo discovered impacted in the mud after the war and fragments
of attacking airplanes. It also alows visitors to cross Pearl Harbor to visit the USS Arizona memorial.
USS
Arizona BB-39
Sunk December 7, 1941
USS
Utah BB-31 / AG-16
Sunk December 7, 1941
