Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor simple answer?

The Japanese intended the attack as a preventive action to keep the United States Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States.

How many Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor?

353 aircraft
The Japanese strike force consisted of 353 aircraft launched from four heavy carriers. These included 40 torpedo planes, 103 level bombers, 131 dive-bombers, and 79 fighters. The attack also consisted of two heavy cruisers, 35 submarines, two light cruisers, nine oilers, two battleships, and 11 destroyers.

What battleships were sunk at Pearl Harbor?

American Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

• USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma. Two of the fleet were lost forever, with the two battleships USS Arizona (BB-39) and USS Oklahoma (BB-37) being sunk in the initial attack.
• The USS Nevada.
• Eliminating the battleships.
• USS California.
• USS West Virginia.
• USS Cassin and USS Downes.
• USS Oglala.

How did the U.S. retaliate against Japan for Pearl Harbor?

Japan had raided the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor; the United States had responded by bombing Japan’s capital. The planes flew west toward China. Had it not been for a god-sent tailwind, few of the planes would have made it to territory not occupied by the Japanese.

Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?

On the morning of 7 December 1941, at 7.55am local time, 183 aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Their intention was to destroy and damage as much of the US Pacific Fleet as possible, before it could respond to Japanese…

How many US ships were destroyed at Pearl Harbor?

Within two hours, 18 US warships had been sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft destroyed and 2,403 American servicemen and women killed. Many of these ships were repaired and fought in later battles, and, crucially all three of the Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor during the attack and so escaped damage.

Why did Japanese battleships sink so many ships in WW2?

Since the Japanese attack was a total surprise, many of the first torpedoes and bombs dropped on the unsuspecting ships hit their targets. The damage done was severe. Although the crews on board each battleship worked feverishly to keep their ship afloat, some were destined to sink.

What was Mitsuo Fuchida’s mistake at Pearl Harbor?

According to a 2016 article by retired U.S. Navy Commander Alan D. Zimm, Japanese Captain Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, made a critical mistake by firing two flares, which signaled to his aviators that they had not caught the Americans by surprise.