Seventy years ago today was the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Navy.
It was a crucial turning point in the war in that it brought the United States into the already ongoing conflict staging in Europe and Asia. The attack was a pre-emptive strike designed to weaken American forces so that Japan could stage operations elsewhere, specifically Malaya and the Dutch East Indies to claim the oil there, as we had cut off our exports to Japan following their invasion of French Indochina. The attack was also designed as a warning for America to stay out of the war, at least, long enough for Japan to build a larger navy.
Let’s take a moment to remember the two thousand plus that were killed in the attack and those who fell in the second world war that followed.
Pearl Harbor.
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense…With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounded determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.” – President F.D. Roosevelt – 8th December 1941