Pearl Harbor Dec. 7th, 1941

[Aristaeus]

Nov. 26, 1941

Washington rejected the Japanese proposals of Nov. 20 because they "contain some features which, in the opinion of this Government, conflict with the fundamental principles which form a part of the general settlement under consideration and to which each Government declared that it is committed." The U.S. did suggest, however, "that further effort be made to resolve our divergencies of view in regard to the practical application of the fundamental principles..." The rejection marked the end of the long efforts to negotiate a settlement.

-The Japanese First Air Fleet, under the command of Adm. Chuichi Nagumo leaves Japan’s Kurile Islands for Hawaii. The fleet takes a route rarely used by merchant ships, and avoids radio transmissions to remain undetected.




From Infamy to History:
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[Aristaeus]

Nov. 27

All U.S. military forces were placed on a "final alert" status with Pacific units receiving a "war warning." Washington said "an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days."

[Eric Renderking Fisk]

Aristaeus - Thanks for the real-time replay.

I just wonder, what were going through people's heads between Nov 20th and Nov 27th...

[Aristaeus]

Your welcome.

Nov. 28
For the second time Hull warned the U.S. military of a possible imminent attack by Japan.

-The Japanese foreign ministry advised its embassies throughout the world that relations with the U.S. and Britain had reached an extremely critical stage.

[Doug Palumbo]

Very nice...thanks Aristaeus!

I have been to Pearl Harbor twice and it is one of the most somber and beautiful places I have ever seen.

[Blackthorn]

Aristaeus - Thanks for the real-time replay.

I just wonder, what were going through people's heads between Nov 20th and Nov 27th...

My parents had set a wedding date of December 12th. They followed through with it, because...well, life goes on.

Aristaeus, great thread! Keep up the good work!

[Aristaeus]

Nov. 29

The U.S. warned Britian of an impending Japanese attack in the Asia-Pacific area.

-Tojo restated Japan's leadership role in east Asia: "Nothing can be permitted to interfere with this sphere because this sphere was decread by Providence."

[Aristaeus]

Nov. 30

Japanese Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo informed the Japanese ambassador in Berlin that "war may suddenly break out between the Anglo-Saxon nations and Japan...quicker then anyone dreams." The Germans were not informed.

[Aristaeus]

I am glad you guys like the thread.

[DanielJones]

I especially like your day bey day format, very interesting and keeps one coming back for the next bit. Well done!

Cheers!

Dan

[Aristaeus]

Dec. 1

Japan made its irrevocable decision to go to war. A council meeting in the imperial presence ended with a unanimous vote to begin hostilities. The minutes of the meeting read: "Our negotiations with the United States regarding the execution of our national policy, adopted November 5, have finally failed. Japan will open hostilities against the United States, Great Britain and the Netherlands." Tojo led the meeting, Emperor Hirohito did not speak at all.

[Aristaeus]

Dec. 2

Roosevelt--- in a personal note to the Japanese envoys in Washington---asked Tokyo for an explanation of the Japanese troop build-up in Indochina. The President said. "The stationing of these increased Japanese forces in Indochina would seem to imply the utilization of these forces by Japan for purposes of further aggression, since no such number of forces could possibly be required for the policing of that region..."

-Japan's cabinet was reshuffled because of "the deteriorating international situation." The new cabinet affirmed the final decision to attack Pearl Harbor, and the code message to proceed, "Climb Mount Niitaka," was flashed to the carrier battle group.

-The Japanese embassy in Washington was ordered to destroy all but its most secret coding facilities. Similar orders went to Japanese missions in British, Dutch, and Canadian cities. Cuba, the Philippines, and the South Pacific.

-London announced the formation of a new and expanded Eastern Fleet. Britain in the past had maintained a cruiser squadron, but its naval presence in Asia would now be led by more powerful men-of-war. The battleship Prince of Wales and the battle curiser Repulse arrived in Singapore. This announced action indicated the concern of Britain as it viewed Japan's southward penetration.

[Aristaeus]

Dec. 3

Nagumo received the following communication:

"Combined Fleet Telegraphic Operations Order No. 021730

December 3, 1941

To: Commander-in-Chief, Carrier Striking Task Force

8th December designated as X day.

Commander-in-Chief, Combined Fleet

Yamamoto, Isoroku"

(December 8th local time would be 7th December Hawaii time).

[Aristaeus]

Dec. 4

The Japanese ambassador in Berlin asked what the German government's position would be if Japan initiated war against the Allies. Such a possibility was not covered under the Tripartite Pact. Hitler had never been advised of the planned attacks in the Pacific.

-Japan declared the Netherlands an enemy power and said it would treat the Dutch as if a state of war existed between them.

-The Japanese Twenty-fifth Army began leaving Hainan Island for the invasion of Malaya and Thailand.

[Aristaeus]

Dec. 5

U.S. Naval offices and facilities in Tokyo, Bangkok, Peking, Tientsin, Shanghai, Guam, and Wake were ordered to destroy all but absolutely essential communication codes and secret documents.

-Japan told Roosevelt it was reinforcing its army units in Indochina because "Chinese troops have recently shown frequent signs of movement along the northern frontier of French Indochina bordering on China."

-Thailand sought assurances from Britain that if the Thais were attacked by the Japanese London would declare war on Japan immediately.