This Day in History: The Attack on Pearl Harbor

As World War II raged across Europe, Japan was deeply involved in its own revolutions and wars, mainly against China, and increasingly against the United States too. Japan maintained relations and alliances with the Nazis; however, it was not yet actively involved in the European war.

At that time, the United States held its main naval base at Pearl Harbor, located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.

On the 17th of Kislev, 5701, the military base was attacked by Japanese planes launched from aircraft carriers. The attack was a surprise, as the United States had not anticipated the possibility of such a war. The Pearl Harbor attack is considered the greatest intelligence failure of the U.S. – until the more recent tragedy, the fall of the Twin Towers on September 11. The Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor inflicted enormous damage on the Americans: 12 warships were destroyed, as well as 188 aircraft, and 2,459 soldiers and civilians were killed in the extensive attack. However, U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers were not docked at the harbor at the time and therefore were not damaged.

The surprising attack led the U.S. to join the Allies and enter the war in Europe, effectively turning it into a world war. By the end of the conflict, and with substantial help from the United States, the Allies had defeated the Nazis – as well as their Axis partners, which included Japan.