Pearl Harbor

[varmint]

i love conspiracy theories. trouble is that in my lifetime none have ever panned out. always keep an eye open though.


Declassified Memo Hinted of 1941 Hawaii Attack

Three days before the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt was warned in a memo from naval intelligence that Tokyo's military and spy network was focused on Hawaii, a new and eerie reminder of FDR's failure to act on a basket load of tips that war was near.

In the newly revealed 20-page memo from FDR's declassified FBI file, the Office of Naval Intelligence on December 4 warned, "In anticipation of open conflict with this country, Japan is vigorously utilizing every available agency to secure military, naval and commercial information, paying particular attention to the West Coast, the Panama Canal and the Territory of Hawaii."

The memo, published in the new book December 1941: 31 Days that Changed America and Saved the World went on to say that the Japanese were collecting "detailed technical information" that would be specifically used by its navy. To collect and analyze information, they were building a network of spies through their U.S. embassies and consulates.

Historian and acclaimed Reagan biographer Craig Shirley, author of the just released December 1941, doesn't blame FDR for blowing it, but instead tells Whispers that it "does suggest that there were more pieces to the puzzle" that the administration missed. The 70th anniversary of the attack is next month.

Declassified Memo Hinted of 1941 Hawaii Attack - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)

[fingpilot]

Not at all surprising.

[fred cook]

When I was in elementary school, I used to frequent a hobby shop in Marietta, Ga. The wife of the owner had a brother that was stationed in Pearl Harbor before and during the Japanese attack. The ship he was attached to was a supply ship loaded with small arms ammunition. She told me that her brother said that a day or two before the attack on Dec. 7, the ship was moved to a secondary anchorage location and camoflaged! Apparently someone had the foresight to make certain that there would be sufficient small arms ammo should the Japs attempt a landing. Since I was not born until 1948, this is as close as I ever got to info supporting a cover up. Make one wonder!

[Joe Bob]

FDR blew it? He was a civilian CinC, NO combat or other military experience. The brass hats in Pearl blew it.

Battleships all in a pretty row, radar mistaking the incoming as US bombers from the mainland, ammunition locked away, unarmed planes in the air, on the ground, a telegram coming ironically delivered after the attack by a Nisei warning to be alert....the list is/was endlist.

More than the Pearl HWIC should have been fired.

[Danimal16]

This is not news.

[john70t]

Before he was off'ed, Yamamoto was planning to trap part of the U.S. fleet in the Atlantic by bombing the Panama Canal.
A special twin hulled sub, the 1-400, was built to launch 3 airplanes for that task, and bomb coastal cities and refineries at night. I-400 class submarine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
With Yamamoto gone, the Army delayed the program until well after the Asian theatre was under way. It was then suggested to use the submarines for germ warfare against the west coast cities using the I-400 or ballons, but the idea was nixed. Some Japanese general said this would start "a war against humanity".

The chains of islands leading to Japan were conquored because the defenders often lacked resources. The central planners always had the final defense of the home islands in mind, and a conventional invasion would have taken years, if successful. Air superiority would have allowed carpet bombing of military sites, but a ground war would have been brutal(aka vietnam).

[BeyGon]

FDR accepted that the attack would happen, he just didn't believe the Japanese would be so efficient.
Dewey wanted to bring up the fact FDR knew it was going to happen when he ran against Truman but the Military wouldn't let him, it would show the Japanese we had broken their code.

[techweenie]

I have a different read on this:

In 1941, American popular opinion was anti-involvement and FDR wanted the US in the war against the Axis powers sooner rather than later. He recognized that only a 'galvanizing event' could do that. So the attack became a useful tool to get us committed.

[doug_porsche]

wonder how many memo's President Roosevelt received that week that were totally wrong?

[Moses]

Roosevelt KNEW an attack was coming. He presumed it would be in the Philippines.

A few days after Pearl Harbor, The Japanese attacked the air base in the Philippines and destroyed a lot of B17s that were just sitting there.

The Japanese were well organized. We were not.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I have a different read on this:

In 1941, American popular opinion was anti-involvement and FDR wanted the US in the war against the Axis powers sooner rather than later. He recognized that only a 'galvanizing event' could do that. So the attack became a useful tool to get us committed.

That too, he just didn't think they would be so good.

[madmmac]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I have a different read on this:

In 1941, American popular opinion was anti-involvement and FDR wanted the US in the war against the Axis powers sooner rather than later. He recognized that only a 'galvanizing event' could do that. So the attack became a useful tool to get us committed.

Ding,,,ding,,,,ding.

A war is the best way to get out of a depression. Well, for some Presidents anyways.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I have a different read on this:

In 1941, American popular opinion was anti-involvement and FDR wanted the US in the war against the Axis powers sooner rather than later. He recognized that only a 'galvanizing event' could do that. So the attack became a useful tool to get us committed.

Well, for once we agree on something! FDR did a lot of things that I dislike, but biting the bullet (so to speak) and getting the US into WWII ASAP was a necessary thing.

[Joe Bob]

I seem to remember reading that most thought the Germans would have done something to bring in the US. The Pacific War was kind of a second front throughout the war with the emphasis in the European theater.

Hell, the Aussies were fighting in Europe and left their homeland virtually undefended.

[patssle]

It wasn't the first time the government wanted war (Remember the Maine) and it won't be the last that they let an attack happen (9/11).