|
|
Resources
|
Pearl Harbor
is a landlocked inlet on the southern coast of Oahu, Hawaii. It's depth
is 50-60 feet. The United States government made Pearl Harbor a first-class
naval base.
When the second world war broke out in 1939, the United States Navy began to produce Pearl Harbor's dry-dock and repair facilities. In 1940, the Pacific fleet began using the harbor as an operating base. Its inconsistent deficiencies were being fixed when the Japanese Aircraft made a surprise attack on the morning of December 7, 1941. Almost the entire Pacific Fleet was stationary there, during the attack. Eight battleships, nine cruisers, 29 destroyers and five submarines were also there. 19 vessels sunk (or was severely damaged) when Japanese bombs and torpedoes attacked. Though many battleships were saved, the 26-year-old Arizona was the only one completely and permanently lost. 80 naval aircraft and 97 army planes were additionally destroyed. Human lossed include over 24,000 military/naval personnel and 49 civilians dead, while 83 were wounded. The Pearl Harbor attack was the immediate cause of the United States' entry into World War II. |