Pearl Harbor 65th anniversary.

[syscom3]

The Japanese are on the move. Their carriers are "lost" and invasion forces are massing in the south of Formosa, which will soon be on their way to Malaya

Its is also the 65th anniverary of the Civilian Air Patrol

HAWAII ISLANDS: Communication Intelligence Summary for 1 December:
"General.-All service radio calls of (Japanese) forces afloat changed promptly at 0000, 1 December. Previously, service calls changed after a period of six months or more. Calls were last changed on 1 November, 1941. The fact that service calls lasted only one month indicate an additional progressive step in preparing for active operations on a large scale. For a period of two to three days prior to the change of calls, the bulk of the radio traffic consisted of dispatches from one to four or five days old. It appears that the Japanese Navy is adopting more and more security provisions. A study of traffic prior to 0000, 1 December indicates that an effort was made to deliver all dispatches using old calls so that promptly with the change of calls, there would be a minimum of undelivered dispatches and consequent confusion and compromises.
Either that or the large number of old messages may have been used to pad the total volume and make it appear as if nothing unusual was pending.

First Fleet.-Nothing to indicate that this fleet as a fleet is
operating outside of Empire waters. It is believed that such a large percentage of the First Fleet is operating with the Second Fleet Task Force that this fleet has ceased to operate in a prominent role.
Second Fleet.-This fleet is believed proceeding from the Kure-Sasebo area in the direction of South China and Indo-China. Takao does not appear to play an important role in today's traffic; consequently, the assumption is made that his fleet is passing up Takao. Certain units
of the Second Fleet Task Force are definitely in the Indo-China area (Cruiser Division Seven and Destroyer Squadron Three most prominent).
Third Fleet.-Nothing to report except that the same association of Second, Third Fleets, and Combined Air Force with South China and Indo- China Forces continues.
Fourth Fleet.-No change in the Fourth Fleet or Mandates area.
Fifth Fleet.-Nothing to report.
Submarines.- Large number of the Submarine Force believed to be in the area to the eastward of Yokosuka-Chichijima and Saipan Flagship
somewhere in this general area.
Carriers.-No change.
Combined Air Force.-No change. (Jack McKillop)

JAPAN: The Imperial Privy Council meets and after discussing a war with the Allies, the ministers sign the documents declaring war, and give them to Emperor HIROHITO, who signs them a few hours later, telling
his aides that he does not feel that a constitutional monarch can overturn his ministers on such a momentous decision.
The Chief of the Naval General Staff, Admiral NAGANO Osami, sends Navy Order No. 9 to the Commander-in- Chief, Combined Fleet, Admiral YAMAMOTO Isoroku:
(1) Japan has decided to open hostilities against
the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands early in December,
(2) the Commander-in- Chief of the Combined Fleet will smash the enemy fleets and air forces in the Orient and at the same time will intercept and annihilate enemy fleets should they come to attack us,
(3) the Commander-in- Chief of the Combined fleet will occupy immediately the key bases of the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands in East Asia in close cooperation with the Commander-in- Chief of the Southern Army and will capture and secure the key areas of the southern regions,
(4) the Commander-in- Chief of the Combined fleet will cooperate with the
operations of the China Area Fleet, if necessary,
(5) the time of the start of operations based on the aforementioned items will be made knownlater, and
(6) the Chief of the Naval General Staff will issue instructions concerning particulars.

The Midway Destruction Unit of the Pearl Harbor Strike Force, consisting of two destroyers and an oiler, departs Tatyama Bay, Honshu, Japan, today. The two destroyers arrive off Midway at 2100 hours on 7 December.

MALAYA: Reacting to reports of Japanese preparations, the British authorities declare a State of emergency in Malaya.

PACIFIC OCEAN: As river gunboats USS Luzon (PR-7) and Oahu (PR-6), submarine rescue vessel USS Pigeon (ASR-6) and minesweeper USS Finch (AM-9) proceed through the South China Sea toward Manila, Philippine
Islands, they become the object of curiosity by Japanese forces in the vicinity; first a floatplane circles the formation, then seven Japanese warships of various types.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: U.S. passenger liner ss President Harrison arrives at Olongapo, with the remaining elements of the 4th Marine Regiment withdrawn from Shanghai, China. President Harrison soon sails to
bring out the last marines from China.

UNITED STATES: In a meeting between Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Japanese Ambassador NOMURA Kichisaburo and special envoy KURUSU Saburo said "the Japanese people believe that the United States wants to
keep Japan fighting with China and to keep Japan strangled."President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders a "defensive information patrol" of "three small ships" established off the coast of French Indochina; he specifically designates yacht USS Isabel (PY-10) as
one of the trio of vessels. Schooner Lanikai is chartered and fitted out, but the start of the war results in her planned mission being cancelled. The third vessel, schooner Molly Moore, is selected for the mission but
is never taken over. Lanikai's civilian career had seen her used as a "prop" in the filming of motion picture "Hurricane" that starred Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall.
President Roosevelt meets with British Ambassador to the U.S., Lord Halifax, and indicates the U.S. will enter the war on the British side if they are attacked by Japan, but did not explicitly promise this. The Director of Civilian Defense, former New York City Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, signs a formal order creating the Civil Air
Patrol (CAP). Beginning in 1942, the civilian pilots of the CAP flew their unarmed personal aircraft over the East Coast on antisubmarine patrols. The CAP also flew search and rescue missions in the U.S. searching for downed aircraft.

[syscom3]

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Communication Intelligence Summary, 2 December
1941:
"General.-The most prominent factor in today's traffic is the apparent confusion in the routing of traffic for certain major parts of the Japanese Fleet. There were instances where the same dispatch was repeated several times after it appeared on the Tokyo broadcast and also where Takao Radio received the same dispatch that it had previously sent. ComSixteen reported Second and Third Fleets in Takao area and that Takao Radio was broadcasting traffic to these fleets. This broadcast was not uncovered here and contrary to location reports, there was one indication that these two fleets were not close to Takao. In several instances Takao Radio forwarded traffic to Tokyo for these fleets. Summing up all reports and indications, it is believed that the large fleet made up of Second, Third and First Fleet units has left Empire waters but is either not close enough to Takao for good communication or is proceeding on a course not close to Takao. The change of calls on December first has prevented this office from making definite statements at this date of the units now in the Southern area. To further complicate the situation, Shanghai Radio handled a considerable amount of traffic
which obviously was originated by and destined for units in the Takao area.

The Chief of Staff, South China area continues to appear in Shanghai ComSixteen reported nine submarines proceeding south by Camranh Bay. This group is believed to comprise both Submarine Squadrons five and six, which units normally operate with the First Fleet but have been included repeatedly in the Second Fleet Task Force for Southern operations. There was a very high percentage of high precedence traffic originated both by major forces afloat and Tokyo. Hainan continues as a prominent address. Palao and Third Base Force is holding the same relative importance.

- First Fleet.-Despite the lack of positive identification, the
First Fleet appears relatively quiet. From inconclusive evidence, it appears as if there may have been a split in the original or normal Combined Fleet Staff and that these may be two supreme commanders with staffs. As an example, traffic routing indicates one Combined Fleet call
associated with the Second and Third Fleets and apparently in company while another Combined Fleet call appears not associated with the Second and Third Fleets.

- "Second Fleet.-No units have stood out prominently the last two or three days. This is partly due to lack of new identifications but contributes somewhat to the belief that a large part of the Second Fleet is underway in company. Cruiser Division Seven and Destroyer Squadron Three are unlocated and unobserved since change of calls.

- " Third Fleet.-Nothing to report. Shanghai appeared in an
indirect way in some of the Third Fleet traffic.

- "Mandates.-Association of Submarine Force and Fourth Fleet continues. Some traffic for Fourth Fleet units still going through Truk.

- "Carriers.-Almost a complete blank of information on the
Carriers today Lack of identifications has somewhat promoted this lack of information- however, since over two hundred service calls have been partially identified since the change on the first of December and not one carrier call has been recovered, it is evident that carrier traffic
is at a low ebb.

- "Combined Air Force.-This force continues to be associated closely with Second, Third and Indo-China Fleets. Some units of the Combined Air Force have undoubtedly left the Takao area."

JAPAN: The Foreign Office sends the following message to the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.: "(1.) Among the telegraphic codes with which your office is equipped burn all but those now used with the machine and one copy each of "O" code (Oite) and abbreviating code (L).
(Burn also the various other codes which you have in your custody.) (2.) Stop at once using one code machine unit and destroy it completely. (3) When you have finished this, wire me back the one word "haruna." (4) At the time and in the manner you deem most proper dispose of all files of
messages coming and going and all other secret documents. (5) Burn all the codes which Telegraphic Official KOSAKA brought you." A second message is sent to the Japanese consulate in Honolulu: "In view of the present situation, the presence in port of warships, airplane carriers, and cruisers is of utmost importance. Hereafter, to the utmost of your ability, let me know day by day. Wire me in each case whether or not there are any observation balloons above Pearl Harbor or if there are any indications that they will be sent up. Also advice me whether or not the warships are provided with anti-mine nets."

The Chief of the Naval General Staff, Admiral NAGANO Osami, sends Navy Order No. 12 to Admiral YAMAMOTO Isoroku , Commander-in- Chief, Combined Fleet: "(1) As of 8 December the Commander-in- Chief of the Combined Fleet will start military operations in accordance with
Imperial General Headquarters Navy Order No. 9. (2) Military operations will be launched against the Netherlands at an opportune time after attacking the United States and Great Britain." The Japanese Cabinet is reorganized because of "the deteriorating international situation."

MALAYA: British battleship HMS Prince of Wales (53), battlecruiser HMS Repulse (34) and destroyers HMS Electra (H 27), Encounter (H 10), Express (H 61) and Jupiter (F 85), arrive in Singapore and will form the British Far East Fleet. The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (92) was scheduled to join them, but was damaged when she ran aground in Jamaica, West Indies, on 3 November while training. These capital ships represent a British deterrence in the Far East.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The following message is from the
Commander-in- Chief Asiatic Fleet to the Chief of Naval Operations and also sent to Commander-in- Chief Pacific Fleet: "Bearing 070 from Saigon distant 180 miles 3 type I-61 submarines in cruising formation headed south 15 knots. 21 transports anchored Camranh Bay with six planes patrolling overhead."

UNITED STATES: Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles hands a note from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Japanese Ambassador NOMURA Kichisaburo and special envoy KURUSU Saburo asking for reasons the Japanese are increasing its forces in French Indochina. "It was my clear
understanding that by the terms of the agreement and there is no present need to discuss the nature of that agreement between Japan and the French Government at Vichy that the total number of Japanese forces permitted by the terms of that agreement to be stationed in Indochina was very considerably less than the total amount of the forces already there. The stationing of these increased Japanese forces in Indochina would seem to imply the utilization of these forces by Japan for purposes of further aggression, since no such number of forces could possibly be required for the policing of that region. . . . because of the broad problem of American defense. I should like to know the intention of the Japanese Government."

The first Naval Armed Guard detachment (seven men under a coxswain) of World War II reports to the Liberty ship, SS Dunboyne.

[syscom3]

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Major General Lewis H. Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, returns from his trip to Australia, and is instructed by Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur, Commanding General U.S. Army Forces Far East, to plan on leaving on 8 December for another
trip, this time a 5,733-mile (9 226 kilometer) journey to Djakarta, Netherlands East Indies; Singapore, Malaya; Rangoon, Burma; and Chunking, China, to co-ordinate defensive measures with the Dutch, British, and Chinese,
and to receive a report on Japanese air activities from Claire Chennault, commander of the American Volunteer Group (AVG).

Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander-in- Chief Asiatic Fleet, personally briefs Lieutenant John Walker Payne, Jr, captain of the USN yacht USS Isabel (PY-10) and assigns his ship to the "Defensive Information Patrol." As the threat of war grows ever larger, the small ship is sent out on orders from U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to make a reconnaissance of the coast of French Indochina. Payne sails today. She is ordered back to Manila on 5 December.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt again meets with British Ambassador Lord Halifax and indicates that the U.S. will enter the war on the British side if they are attacked by Japan, but does not explicitly promise this.

The Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C. sends the following message to Tokyo: "Judging from all indications, we feel that some joint military action between Great Britain and the United States, with or without a declaration of war, is a definite certainty in the eventof an occupation of Thailand."

[syscom3]

BONIN ISLANDS: The Japanese Navy's Guam Invasion Group, South Seas
Force, departs Haha Jima at 0900 hours. This force consists of nine
transports, four each heavy cruisers, destroyers and submarine
chasers, three gunboats, two each coastal minesweepers and netlayers,
and one each minelayer, oiler and seaplane tender. These ships arrive
off Guam at 0100 hours on 8 December.

CHINA: Two units of the Japanese Navy's Malaya Invasion Group (Vice
Admiral OSAWA) of the Southern Force, sail from Samah Bay, Hainan
Island, China. The two units are (1) th Escort Unit (Rear Admiral KURITA)
consisting of the heavy cruisers HIJMS Kumano, Mikuma, Mogami and
Suzuya and three destroyers; and (2) the Kota Bharu Cover Unit (Vice Admiral Ozawa) consisting of the heavy cruiser HIJMS Chokai and a destroyer. Both units were east of Kota Bharu, Malaya, on 8 December.

Two units of the Japanese Navy's Distant Cover Group (Vice
Admiral KONDO) of the Southern Force, sail from Mako, Pescadores Islands
today. (The Pescadores Islands are located in the Formosa Strait between
Formosa and mainland China.) The Main Unit (Vice Admiral KONDO) consists of the battelships HIJMS Haruna and Kongo, the heavy cruisers HIJMS Atago and Takao and ten destroyers. The Supply Unit consists of five oilers, a patrol craft tender and a transport.

EAST INDIES: The following message is sent from the U.S. Embassy in
Batavia, Netherlands East Indies, to the State Department in
Washington, D.C.: "War Department at Bandoeng claims intercepted and decoded following from Ministry Foreign Affairs Tokyo: "When crisis leading
to worst arises following will be broadcast at end weather reports: one east
wind rain war with United States, two north wind cloudy war with Russia,
three west wind clear war with Britain including attack on Thailand
or Malaya and Dutch Indies. If spoken twice burn codes and secret
papers." Same are following from Japanese Ambassador Bangkok to Consul General Batavia: "When threat of crisis exists following will be used five
times in texts of general reports and radio broadcasts: one Higashi east
America, two Kita North Russia, three Nichi west Britain with advance into Thailand and attack on Malaya and Dutch Indies." Thorpe and Slawson
cabled the above to War Department. I attach little or no importance to
it and view it with some suspicion. Such have been common since
1936."

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Communication Intelligence Summary, 4 December
1941: General.-Traffic volume normal with fair receiving conditions. Takao
Radio today instituted a fleet broadcast system using the prefix UTU in heading so that there are now two fleet broadcasts in operation. So far only a few messages have been placed on the Takao broadcast. There were a large number of urgent messages, today, most of these from Tokyo to the major commanders. Among others Tokyo Intelligence originated a seven part message to Chiefs of Staff China Fleet, Combined Fleet, Third Fleet, South China Fleet, French Indo-China Force and Sama. In all, this activity sent twelve messages to the major commanders

- Combined Fleet.- The outstanding item of today's traffic is the
lack of messages from the CinC. Second Fleet and CinC. Third Fleet.
These previously very talkative commanders are now very quiet. While the
Fleet calls are not yet well identified, the lack of traffic from these commands cannot be ascribed to that. These two commands are still prominent as addressees. It is now believed that the CinC. Second Fleet is in the vicinity of Takao and that the apparently conflicting evidence is due to traffic destined for the Tokyo UTU broadcast which CinC. Second Fleet is still copying. The CinC. Combined Fleet sent one message to an unidentified unit for information to Third Base Force Palao, CinC. Second Fleet and CinC. Third Fleet.

- Fourth Fleet.- The CinC. Fourth Fleet sent a message to Chief of
Staff Combined Air Force, information to Eleventh Air Corps, Chitose
Air, Air Squadron Twenty-four, Third Base Force at Palao and Fourth Base
Force at Truk. No further check could be made today on the presence
of Fourth Fleet units in the Marshalls. Jaluit appeared many times in
today's traffic being associated with Commander Submarine Force, Tokyo Radio and MUSI 88 (which is believed to be an oil tanker).

- South China.- Bako continues as an active originator addressing
many messages to Sama and Saigon. Except for traffic between South
China Commanders, all units in that area quiet.

HONG KONG: USN river gunboat USS Mindanao (PR- sails from Hong Kong,
British Crown Colony, for Manila, Philippine Islands. She is the
last USN ship to depart Chinese waters prior to war. The Luzon
Stevedoring Company tug Ranger follows subsequently, carrying spare parts and 800 3-inch (76 mm) shells for Mindanao's main battery (previously stored
ashore at Hong Kong). Only two U.S. naval vessels remain in Chinese waters: river gunboat USS Wake (PR-3) at Shanghai to maintain communications
until a radio station is established at the Consulate General with Navy equipment, and river gunboat USS Tutuila (PR-4) at Chungking, where
she furnishes essential services to the U.S. Embassy. (Jack McKillop)

PACIFIC OCEAN: Under extremely poor weather and wave conditions,
Admiral NAGUMO's Hawaiian attack force manages to replenish its fuel
stores. The replenishment ships head for the return leg rendezvous point and
the carriers turn south for their final run to Hawaii.
That same day, a routine scouting flight from the USN aircraft
carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) en route from Wake Island to Hawaii,
sights Honolulu-bound tug USS Sonoma (AT-12) with Pan American Airways
barges PAB No. 2 and PAB No. 4 in tow. USS Sonoma, armed with only two
30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns, will eventually reach Honolulu,
Territory of Hawaii, on 15 December, with her tows.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The following message is sent from the U.S. Army
Forces Far East to the Army's Adjutant General in Washington, D.C.:
"Replying your radio of November twenty eight and your radio six
four seven on same subject all practical steps within the limits of the
facilities of this command are being taken to protect all air and ground
installations. "
USN river gunboats USS Luzon (PR-7) and Oahu (PR-6), followed
later by submarine rescue vessel USS Pigeon (ASR-6) and minesweeper
USS Finch (AM-9), reach Manila.

WAKE ISLAND: The USN aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), part of
Task Force 8, flies off 12 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcats, a detachment of
Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Eleven (VMF-211), to the island. The
Marine fighters are launched when the Enterprise is 75 nautical miles (139
kilometers) north of the island. Task Force 8 then turns east and
heads back to Pearl Harbor where they are due to arrive on 6 December.

A Japanese "Nell" bomber (Mitsubishi G3M2, Type 96 Attack
Bomber) of the Chitose Kokutai (Naval Air Corp) based on Kwajalein Atoll,
Marshall Islands, reconnoiters Wake Island undetected.

[syscom3]

Everywhere there are indications that war will start soon. How many times did the generals and admirals ignore what the Japanese were doing. Communications intercepts indicated the IJN was on the move.

Its also the first day of the beginning of operations for the German extermination camp in Chelmo, Poland.

ALASKA: Two U.S. Army War Plans Division representatives visiting
bases in Alaska note that housing is vulnerable to aerial bombing,
antiaircraft artillery is inadequate, roads are insufficient, and
storage facilities are inadequate. They recommend that the War Department
remedy these deficiencies as quickly as possible.

EAST INDIES: The Netherlands East Indies and Australia have a
long-standing agreement to aid each other in the event of war.
Today, the Australians are asked to send aircraft to Dutch Timor because of
Japanese ship and troop movements.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The U.S. Navy's Task Force 12 (Rear Admiral
Raymond Spruance), comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2);
the heavy cruisers USS Astoria (CA-34), Chicago (CA-29), and Portland
(CA-33); and the destroyers USS Drayton (DD-366), Flusser (DD-36,
Lamson (DD-367), Mahan (DD-364), and Porter (DD-356), depart Pearl Harbor
Lexington is carrying 18 Vought SB2U-3 Vindicators of Marine Scout
Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Thirty One (VMSB-231) which are to be flown off to reinforce Midway Island. The plan is to approach within 400 miles
(640 kilometers) of Midway and fly the Marine squadron off to land on the
island; this position would be reached by mid-morning on 7 December.
After launching the Marine aircraft, Lexington would be free to continue
training/scouting.

Communication Intelligence Summary, December 5, 1941:
General.-Traffic volume heavy. All circuits overloaded with Tokyo
broadcast going over full 24 hours. Tokyo-Mandates circuit in duplex operation.
There were several new intercept schedules heard. OMINATO radio working
SAMA and BAKO sending fleet traffic. The Takao broadcast handling traffic
Second and Third Fleet while the Tokyo broadcast is still handling
traffic for these units also. It is noted that some traffic being broadcast
is several days old which indicates the uncertainty of delivery
existing in the radio organization. There were many messages of high
precedence which appears to be caused by the jammed condition of all circuits.
A plain language message was sent by the Captain, OKAWA from Tokyo to
Takao probably for further relay addressed to FUJIHARA, Chief of the
Political Affairs Bureau saying that "in reference to the Far Eastern Crisis,
what you said is considered important at this end but proceed with
what you are doing, specific orders will be issued soon."

- Combined Fleet.- Neither the Second or Third Fleet Commanders
have originated any traffic today. They are still frequently addressed
but are receiving their traffic over broadcast. They are undoubtedly in
Takao area or farther south since the Takao broadcast handles nearly
all their traffic. No traffic from the Commander Carriers or Submarine
Force has been seen either.
- Third Fleet.- In one WE address a "Chief of Staff" sent a
message to "Commander Fourteenth Army abroad RYUJOMARU in Third Fleet.
HITOYO.GUN.SATI (IRO 1 REUZEU MARU). A number of MARUS have been
addressing the CINC. Third Fleet.
- Fourth Fleet.- The Secretary, Fourth Fleet and Staff
Communication Officer the Fourth Fleet were addressed at Jaluit today
strengthening the impression at the CinC. Fourth Fleet is in the Marshalls. The Commander of the South China Fleet has been addressing Palao radio
and the RNO TAIHOKU and the Commander Second Fleet.
- South China.-SAMA addressed much traffic to CinC. Second Fleet.
BAKO continues as an active originator with many dispatches to
Second and Third Fleet. The Commander Combined Air Force appears to be busy with the movement of Air Corps. SHIOGAMA Air and at least two
unidentified corps are moving, probably to Indo-China.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, RN, commander of the
British Eastern Fleet, meets with Lieutenant General Douglas
MacArthur, commander of the U.S .Army Forces Far East, and Admiral Thomas C. Hart, commander of the Asiatic Fleet, at Cavite, Luzon. Phillips requests assignment of two USN destroyer divisions to operate with the
battleship HMS Prince of Wales (53) and the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (34) now at Singapore, Malaya. Hart demurs. (John Nicholas)Admiral Hart receives amessage from Captain John Creighton, USN, his liaison officer in Singapore,
that the British have been informed by the U.S. government that the U.S.
would enter the war on the British side if one of several possibilities
occurred. Hart requests further information from the Navy Department.

POLAND: The first Jews are transported to Chelmno (Kulmhof)
extermination camp.

UNITED STATES: Japanese Ambassador NOMURA Kichisaburo and special
envoy KURUSU Saburo meet with Secretary of State Cordell Hull and hand him
the following note: "Reference is made to your inquiry about the
intention of the Japanese Government with regard to the reported
movements of Japanese troops in French Indo-china. Under instructions from Tokyo I wish to inform you as follows. As Chinese troops have recently shown
frequent signs of movements along the northern frontier of French
Indo-china bordering on China, Japanese troops, with the object of mainly taking precautionary measures, have been reinforced to a certain extent in the northern part of French Indo-china. As a natural sequence of this step, certain movements have been made among the troops stationed the southern part of the said territory. It seems that an exaggerated report has been made of these movements. It should be added that no measure has been taken on the part of the Japanese Government that may transgressthe stipulations of the Protocol of Joint Defense between Japan and France."

In the San Francisco, California, area, harbor defenses are on
full war alert and the troops are each issued 40 rounds of small-
arms ammunition.

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

It happened.



How weird. The top two pictures can look like one picture.

[Hunter368]

The survivors gather one last time. Very sad.

Pearl Harbor survivors meet for last time - Yahoo! News

[R-2800]

[Gnomey]

Been good reading this thread sys, good job.

[syscom3]

This is from the Yahoo news story just listed. It struck for me what was in the last part of the story.

Martinez, the USS Arizona historian, likened it to another reunion 68 years ago — the final gathering of Civil War veterans in Gettysburg, Pa., when aging warriors in blue and gray shook hands and shared war stories. In 1938, as in 2006, the nation faced an uncertain future in a world gripped by conflict.

"Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, who dubbed Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II "the greatest generation," agreed to be keynote speaker for Thursday's ceremony. A moment of silence at 7:55 a.m. was to mark the time when the attack began.

Martinez, the USS Arizona historian, likened it to another reunion 68 years ago — the final gathering of Civil War veterans in Gettysburg, Pa., when aging warriors in blue and gray shook hands and shared war stories. In 1938, as in 2006, the nation faced an uncertain future in a world gripped by conflict.

"The passing of that generation had its moment and we're going to have ours," he said.

But some veterans don't believe, or refuse to accept, that this will be the last major gathering.

"They claimed the 60th was going to be the last one. Now they have the 65th. When they have the 70th, then they'll be claiming, 'This will be the last one,'" Hyland said. "They've been crying wolf too many times."

Hyland does accept the fact that their numbers are falling fast.

"We all have our turn and our turn is getting closer," he said.

But until then, they are drawn to Pearl Harbor, and to each other. Military historian Douglas Smith, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., says they are proud of their service and eager to return "to their glory days," but most of all they revel in the bonds they formed long ago, when they were young.

The bond is so strong that some ask to have their ashes interred inside the Arizona, laid to rest with shipmates who were not so fortunate as to survive Dec. 7, 1941.

"They're coming home," Middlesworth said. "They feel they're coming home.""


Note - I personally think that the Pearl Harbor attack was the single event defining the 2nd world war and what was to follow. Even though the war had been raging in Europe for 2 years, it was still a "European War". This attack is what unified America into joining the hostilities. With the US not in the war, there was no chance of the allies to win. With America in the war, there was no chance for the allies to lose. Just the immense industrial, technical and scientific resources that was about to be expended changed the history not only for the war effort, but postwar when the US became the worlds first superpower.

[syscom3]

Sorry not to post Dec 6ths events. My regular source has been off line.


In Washington, DC, a newly-formed US government
subcommittee, named "S-1," meets. Its task is to establish,within six months, if an atomic bomb can be produced by theUnited States, and if so, at what cost.

That afternoon, Japan sends a the first segments of a 14-
part message to its embassy in Washington, ordering them topresent their final demands to the United States at 1 p.m.Washington time, tomorrow. This message is intercepted anddecoded by the Americans faster than the Japanese can do it.
This intelligence lands in the hands of Lt. Cdr. Alvin
Kramer of the Navy's Cryptographic Department, who drives around Washington that evening, showing the message to top officials.
The message indicates that the Japanese intend to break off negotiations completely, and is filled with inconclusive
posturing.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt reads the document, and says "This means war." He then sends a personal message to Japan's Emperor Hirohito, begging him to start negotiations afresh. Other American senior officers are less certain that the message means war. Some senior officers, like Gen. George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, and Rear Adm. Richmond K. Turner, Chief of War Plans, cannot be reached that evening. No warnings go out to Hawaii, or anywhere else, for that matter.
When Roosevelt's message reaches Tokyo (after a long delay by the Japanese telegraph agency), US Ambassador Robert C. Grew passes it on to the Foreign Ministry and asks for an immediate audience with the Emperor. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, the fiercest militarist, denies the American request.
At Pearl Harbor, all eight battleships of the Pacific Fleet
are in port, and all three carriers are at sea. On the battleship USS Arizona, YN3 Oree Weller stands zone
inspection in the ship's navigation office. He just manages to clean up dripping red paint before CAPT Franklin Van Valkenburgh inspects the space. Weller's space passes inspection, and Weller is handed his liberty card for that evening.
"A river of white flows down Hotel Street" that evening as
thousands of Sailors descend on Honolulu's main entertainment area, filled with shooting galleries, pinball machines, taxi- dancehalls, and cafes named the Black Cat, the Bunny Ranch, or Lousy Lui's. However, both the Shore Patrol and the Military Police have a quiet night...one Sailor is jailed for a "malicious conversation," and another from USS California for using a shipmate's liberty card. Only 80 out of 100,000 military on liberty or pass are carted off to brigs and guardhouses.
Many Sailors and soldiers enjoy simpler pleasures. PFC
Aloysius Manuszewski has a beer at the PX, and then writes home to his parents in Buffalo, N.Y. Officers' clubs hold small parties and Dutch treats. ENS Victor Delano spends a properly respectful evening at the home of RADM Isaac C. Kidd, who is COMBATDIV 2. It is the last night Kidd will be alive.
A lot of Sailors go Pearl Harbor's Bloch Recreation Arena,
where the main event is the "Battle of Music," a musical contest between ship's bands. The contest is won by USS Pennsylvania. The band of USS Arizona finishes second. The musicians are rewarded by being allowed to sleep late the following day. Not one member of Arizona's band survives the attack.
At midnight, Hawaii's stern blue laws kick in. At bars and
clubs throughout Honolulu, the National Anthem is played. Sailors and Soldiers snap to attention, face the music, then race for the doors, buses, and liberty boats.
Some have to work. The swing shift at the Pearl Harbor
drydock puts new steel plates on the destroyer USS Downes and aligns boring bars on the USS Pennsylvania's propeller shafts, while loudspeakers blare "Moonlight Serenade." Japanese midget submarines use the work lights to navigate towards the base.
Radio station KGMB is ordered to stay on the air after
midnight to guide in a flight of 12 B-17 Flying Fortresses due in from the West Coast.
North of Hawaii, the attacking Japanese task force increases speed to 25 knots, and six midget submarines are released from their mother boats off Oahu, in a bid to cause additional chaos at Pearl Harbor. Among them is a midget sub commanded by Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki.
On the carrier Akagi, Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo sends amessage to his fleet: "The fate of the Empire rests on this
enterprise. Every man must devote himself totally to the task athand."

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

P.S. The news of today also made me think of the civil war veterans that sadly growed older, just like the Pearl Harbor survivors are doing today.


Here they go, Pickett's men, across the field to the stony top in 1913, the 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg.

[syscom3]

The Japanese war machine is steamrollering the allies throughout the Pacific.. FDR today makes his famous speech telling the nation why we are at war and asks for a declaration to make it official.

.....In the PI....American radar picks off the Japanese, send the message to Clark Field...and nobody gets it because the teletype operator has gone to lunch, along with the fighter and bomber pilots, who loll on the grass while eating their sandwiches. When the Japanese swoop in at lunchtime, the Americans think they are Navy planes dropping tinfoil until the "tinfoil" explodes.

Japanese aircraft attack the Philippines. American planes are on the ground when Japanese planes swarm in.
American radar picks off the Japanese, send the message to Clark Field...and nobody gets it because the teletype operator has gone to lunch, along with the fighter and bomber pilots, who loll on the grass while eating their sandwiches. When the Japanese swoop in at lunchtime, the Americans think they are Navy planes dropping tinfoil until the "tinfoil" explodes. The Japanese destroy 86 out of 160 American aircraft, losing only seven planes. While the top commanders are Pearl Harbor are pilloried for their mistakes, the top airman in the Philippines, Maj. Gen.
Lewis H. Brereton, is not.

Japanese aircraft also attack Wake Island, defended by 12 F4F Grumman Wildcats of VMF 211. The island is defended by 378 Marines, and 75 Navy Sailors, who are reinforced by civilian construction workers finishing the island's airfield. The Japanese bombs wreck the island's fuel tanks and incinerate nine aircraft. The construction workers take over the island galley and other chores to free Marines and Sailors to fight.

New Zealand declares war on Japan at 11 a.m., local time. Her only Army unit in the Pacific is 8th Infantry Brigade in Fiji. Her two light cruisers, HMS Achilles and HMS Leander, are in the Pacific. Her first-line aircraft at home consist of 36 Hudson patrol bombers, 35 ancient Vincent bombers, and 2 Singapore flying boats. However, two squadrons of Brewster Buffalo F2A fighters are stationed in Malaya. Great things are expected of this plane, which Allied leaders say is superior to Japan's Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

In Malaya, Japanese troops are ashore and moving inland fast, relying on bicycles. British Adm. Tom Phillips takes his two battleships, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, to sea to destroy the Japanese convoys. In China, Claire Chennault, leader of a group of American mercenary fighter pilots flying for Chiang Kai-Shek, moves his three squadrons from their training areas in Burma to Kunming in China.

That afternoon, Franklin D. Roosevelt goes up to the Capitol in a limousine called the Queen Mary, surrounded by Secret Servicemen, and reads a speech to a joint session of Congress from a school notebook. "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy..." he begins. He concludes, "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory."

The House of Representatives is packed with dignitaries,
including Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. The Declaration of War on Japan is passed with one dissenting vote, Jeannette Rankin of Montana, who also voted against the Declaration of War on Germany in 1917. The United States enters history's greatest conflict infuriated and unified.That determination enables the US to ultimately win the war.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by syscom3

In Malaya, Japanese troops are ashore and moving inland fast, relying on bicycles. British Adm. Tom Phillips takes his two battleships, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, to sea to destroy the Japanese convoys.

Great thread Sys, However you missed one important piece of history. On Dec 8 (Malayan time) No. 1 sqn RAAF launched a series of attacks against the Japanese invasion forces, sinking 2 ships and numerous barges and damaging one other vessel. These attacks were made by Hudsons at mast top height, two a/c were lost in the initial attack. Because of the International date line, this all occured BEFORE Pearl harbour.
Read here for an overview of these events.
The Japanese landing at Kota Bharu, on December 7th 1941

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Well to those who perrished at Pearl Harbor and those who fought for years afterwards.