Mistakes and Surprises at the Pacific Fleet

“All in all, there was a sense that nothing truly bad could happen under the sun of Oahu, even if the Japanese did show up” (257).

The Book

The lead-up to the attack at Pearl Harbor is one of those times in American history where hindsight becomes twenty-twenty and everyone seems to have an opinion. Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack relies on eye witness accounts, news reports, and research to zero in on what happened. Author Steve Twomey opens with the Army Privates tasked with practicing their radar skills in northern Oahu the morning of December 7, 1941. The narrative choice was interesting because the reader already knows what is coming, but is still kept in suspense. The story then reverts back to February 1941, providing background information, before fast forwarding to the twelve days mentioned in the title.

On November 26, 1941, the Japanese fleet sailed for Pearl Harbor. Thirty ships traveled 3,150 miles in complete radio silence and managed to evade all detection. Meanwhile, in America, there was recognition that war would most likely come with Japan, but it would not be significant. The focus was on helping the Allies fight the Nazis in Europe and on the Atlantic Ocean. Both Navy ships and Army planes were sent to the Allies instead of Pearl Harbor; resulting in an inability to conduct daily searches around Oahu.

While the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise, there were several mistakes and miscues that may have helped the Pacific Fleet prepare. On November 27^th, a war warning was issued, but it didn’t name Pearl Harbor specifically. The Navy and Army weren’t synced in their defense plans, showing a need for one commander over the joint forces. Intelligence codes were not always shared and many Americans underestimated Japan because of racism and feelings of superiority.

Twomey takes a well-known topic, researchers it thoroughly, and sheds new light on it for the reader. One of the ways Twomey helps shed new light is his focus on the key players. The reader is able to get to know who the military leaders were, particularly naval, and their personalities. In addition, the narrative relies on first hand accounts from both significant leaders and everyday people. Finally, there is a seamless flow between descriptions of the people and the locales, building the suspense and drawing the reader into the story.

The Place
The draw for most visitors to Oahu is the USS Arizona Memorial; however, just across the loch is Ford Island and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, which are also rich with history and artifacts. Prior and during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ford Island was home to Navy aircraft which were targeted by Japanese planes. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is housed in hangers that still have bullet holes in the windows. Inside the museum, visitors will learn about life on Hawaii prior to 1941 and then be immersed in the aviation Battle of the Pacific. The hangers are full of battle tested planes and larger than life maps (on the wall and floor) with special effects.

Ford Island is still an active military base, so visitors must ride the shuttle bus from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and no bags are allowed (for security reasons). Specific tours are available, or you can walk through the museum on your own. There is a General Admission fee. If you aren’t able to visit soon, the film Tora! Tora!Tora! provides a great visual companion to Countdown to Pearl Harbor. My family watched it after returning from our trip to Hawaii.