As the first light of day broke on December 7th, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, an operation cloaked in secrecy under the codename “Operation Hawaii.” Their aim was to stop American interference in their military operations across Southeast Asia. This surprise attack sought to inflict devastating damage on American aircraft, ships, and infrastructure.
Just before 8:00 AM, a massive force of Japanese fighter planes and bombers descended upon Pearl Harbor in a carefully planned two-wave assault. Completely unprepared, American defenses were overwhelmed. Relentlessly, wave after wave of enemy aircraft and submarines pounded the naval base, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Over 2,400 Americans perished in the attack, including 2,335 service members. The assault left a path of destruction, with more than 300 aircraft obliterated and most of the stationed ships either severely damaged or sunk.
The consequence of this brazen attack came swiftly. The United States, previously on the sidelines of the conflict, formally entered World War II. Below, you’ll find a collection of 33 rare photographs capturing moments before, during, and after the devastating attack.
Japanese bombs caused fuel tanks to rupture
The devastation of Pearl Harbor extended beyond just battleships. This photo vividly shows the damage suffered by the USS Downes (DD-375) and USS Cassin (DD-372), both undergoing maintenance in dry dock at the naval base. Downes‘ fuel tanks were ruptured by a 550-pound bomb, igniting large fires on both vessels.
Downing Japanese aircraft
The remains of a Japanese bomber lie at rest in Pearl Harbor. Despite the surprise attack, the American forces stationed on Ford Island successfully organized a strong defense against the invading pilots and sailors.
Declaring war on Japan
Crowd gathered outside of the White House on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. That afternoon, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed a declaration of war against Japan, officially bringing the US into World War II.
Widespread and catastrophic damage
Navy sailors surveying the wreckage, surrounded by mangled aircraft and scorched equipment. Smoke billowing on the horizon is a grim reminder of the battleships ravaged by the Japanese attack.
Civilians were caught in the crossfire
Honolulu endured destruction amid the assault, as civilians sought refuge from both Japanese bombings and American anti-aircraft fire raining down on the city. This image depicts a fraction of the devastation. Sixty-eight innocent civilians tragically lost their lives in the bombardment, becoming victims of the military action.
Extensive planning went into the attack on Pearl Harbor
In preparation for the strike on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese military meticulously crafted a detailed replica of the American naval base. This photograph offers a glimpse into the remarkable scale of the mock-up, even capturing the battleships stationed offshore.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was front page news
Front page of The New York Times following the attack on Pearl Harbor, dated December 8, 1941. The headline reads, “JAPAN WARS ON U.S. AND BRITAIN; MAKES SUDDEN ATTACK ON HAWAII; HEAVY FIGHTING AT SEA REPORTED.”
Attacking from the air and sea
This image, captured by a Japanese pilot, depicts aircraft heading toward Pearl Harbor. The bomber is equipped with explosives that the pilot intends to release on ships and other planes during the attack on the naval base.
A carefully planned salvage effort followed
US Navy personnel working on the salvage effort of the USS Oklahoma (BB-39). It was later determined the battleship had suffered too much damaged to be repaired and she was sold for scrap following the removal of her armaments. In 2015, the Pentagon began the USS Oklahoma Project, dedicated to identifying the unknowns who’d lost their lives on the vessel. The program ended in 2021, on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Preparing to launch the attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese pilots receiving their instructions just prior to the start of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Aboard an aircraft carrier, they subsequently took off in their aircraft and made their way to the American naval base.
Capture of Japanese vessels
Japanese submarine beached at Bellows Field. While the enemy forces concentrated their attack on the larger American airfields around Pearl Harbor, smaller ones also suffered damaged, albeit on a smaller scale. Six people were wounded and two were killed at Bellows Field.
Aircraft carriers were key to launching the attack on Pearl Harbor
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) launched a number of Nakajima B5N2 torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier Shōkaku during their attack on Pearl Harbor. Following the assault, the vessel participated in a number of naval battles in the Pacific Theater, and was ultimately sunk by the USS Cavalla (SS-244) during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Extensive damage was caused to the naval base
A number of bombs dropped by the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor didn’t land on their intended targets. Falling a number of feet from buildings, equipment and vehicles, they left large craters in the ground, leaving large holes.
Only a few American aircraft took to the skies
Damaged aircraft at Wheeler Airfield following the attack. The location was the first hit during the bombardment, in an attempt to prevent American aircraft from taking to the air and launching a counterattack against the Japanese. While the majority were destroyed, 12 pilots did start up their Curtiss P-36 Hawks and P-40 Warhawks and engaged the enemy in fierce dogfights.
The USS California (BB-44) suffered severe damage
Many of the bombs dropped on the USS California (BB-44) during the attack on Pearl Harbor broke through the battleship’s upper deck, leaving large holes. This photo was taken in 1942, during the US Navy’s salvage operation for the vessels that sunk and/or were heavily damaged during the bombardment.
Over 2,300 American servicemen lost their lives
Military personnel paying their respects to some of the servicemen killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor – as aforementioned, 2,335 perished. The caskets are draped in the American flag, as is tradition for military funerals.
The USS Arizona (BB-39) suffered the most casualties
The USS Arizona (BB-39) was one of the battleships to suffer extensive damage. Records show that 1,177 of the vessel’s crewmen perished during the attack on Pearl Harbor, accounting for nearly half of the 2,400 total deaths from that day. This photo features a close-up of the top of Arizona‘s turret, as well as her conning tower and foremost structure.
Taking in the damage
Photo of Dan Pires, the caretaker of Punahou School in Honolulu, examining the damage caused by anti-aircraft fire during the attack. Large chunks of the brick exterior were taken out by the shrapnel.
Hospitals weren’t spared
Remains of the Naval Hospital on Ford Island following the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was one of the many buildings struck by Japanese aerial bombs during the air and naval assault.
Signing the declaration of war
Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US had remained neutral in the war, albeit supplying the Allies in Europe with equipment and vehicles. Immediately following the bombardment, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a declaration of war against Japan, officially bringing America into the conflict.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) was almost unrecognizable
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) suffered multiple hits from Japanese-manned torpedo bombers, resulting in the deaths of 429 crew members. While some survivors were able to jump into the water to escape, others had to wait to be drilled out of the battleship by rescue crews.
Warnings left unheeded
Pvt. Joseph L. Lockard with his radio. The 19-year-old soldier from Williamsport, Pennsylvania was one of two manning the radar station in Oahu when the Japanese launched the first wave of their attack on Pearl Harbor. He informed his superior, who failed to heed his warning, saying the blips on the screen were likely Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses arriving from California.
Speaking about this later in life, Lockard shared he wasn’t angry about his warning being ignored. “If anything, it made me sad,” he said.
‘THIS IS NO DRILL’
Radiogram announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Issued by the Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Headquarters (CINPAC), it reads, “AIRRAID ON PEARLHARBOR X THIS IS NO DRILL.”
The USS Nevada (BB-36) was ‘the only bright spot’
Despite the USS Nevada (BB-36) suffering enough damage to be set aflame (one torpedo and six bomb strikes), she was the only vessel to get underway and try to escape from Battleship Row during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Dubbed “the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal and depressing morning,” she was later repaired and served as a convoy escort throughout the Second World War.
Structural damage was extensive throughout Pearl Harbor
Soldiers’ barracks ablaze on Ford Island following the Japanese attack. Along with the ships anchored at Pearl Harbor’s Battleship Row, a number of structures and American aircraft were targeted in the enemy bombardment.
Cleaning up the naval base was a huge undertaking
Damaged aircraft being lifted into the sky following the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was one of the many aircraft stationed at the naval base when the Japanese launched their assault.
Oil covered the water surrounding Pearl Harbor
Smoke billowing from oil burning on top of the water around Ford Island. Oil continuously seeped into the ocean from the damaged battleships and was set ablaze by the burning vessels and aerial bombings.
Hickam Field was one of the primary targets
US military personnel sitting on the remains of one of the many aircraft that were destroyed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hickam Field was one of the first targets of the bombardment, to prevent a counterattack from the air.
Congress votes to declare war against Japan
President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressing the US House of Representatives during a vote on whether to declare war against Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The members of the House voted 388-1 in favor of going to war, while the Senate unanimously supported the declaration.
The USS Helena (CL-50) went on to serve in the Pacific Theater
The USS Helena (CL-50), a Brooklyn-class light cruiser, suffered extensive damage during the attack. Struck by a torpedo, she underwent significant repairs, which allowed the vessel to return to service in early 1942. She subsequently participated in a number of engagements, including the Guadalcanal Campaign, before being sunk by the Japanese during the Battle of Kula Gulf on July 6, 1943.
Burying enemy combatants
US military personnel standing before the grave of a Japanese pilot who was killed during the attack. As with American servicemen who lost their lives on Ford Island, the enemy combatant was buried on the beach at Pearl Harbor.
V-J Day marks the official Japanese surrender
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Celebrations at Pearl Harbor on V-J Day – August 15, 1945. The Japanese surrender marked the end of the Second World War, and celebrations continued for weeks after, with Americans happy the conflict was finally over.