USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Japanese aircraft flew in two waves. The first wave attacked airfields and anti-air defenses on the west side of the island, while the second wave, almost an hour later, concentrated on the eastern side. Both waves met over Pearl Harbor. In the harbor, anchored ships made perfect targets for the Japanese bombers.

Detailed explanation-2: -A third wave was to have attacked these tank farms, along with U.S. Navy machine shops, stores and administrative centers. But the commander of the Japanese task force, Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo, cancelled the third wave and withdrew, fearing that his own ships were vulnerable to an American counterattack.

Detailed explanation-3: -The pilots were to attack the American fleet in Pearl Harbor. The fate of the Japanese nation was on their shoulders, they were told. Their second wave would arrive one hour after the defenses had been awakened, so half the young men could not expect to survive the day.

Detailed explanation-4: -The assault launched the War in the Pacific and put the entire nation on edge, waiting for a possible follow-up attack or full-on invasion. Though the US mainland remained virtually untouched, Oahu again became a target on March 4, 1942, when Japan launched a second strike on Pearl Harbor.

Detailed explanation-5: -A second wave of 171 aircraft struck the naval base and airfields shortly before 9 am. Devastation was total. Americans killed in the attack numbered 2, 403, with 1, 143 wounded. All eight of the U.S. Navy battleships at Pearl Harbor were damaged and four were sunk including the USS Arizona.