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The Attack on Pearl Harbor Dive-Bomber The main purpose of the attack on Pearl Harbor was to cut American naval power in the Pacific. Before the attack Japan knew that the entire naval power of the United States could not be neutralized, however, they thought that the attack my put the Americans far enough back to achieve their goal. The USS Cassin which capsized The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the American people together in unity overnight, and American was determined to defeat Japan, not by negotiation – but by unconditional surrender. All in all, the United States only lost five of its main ships permanently -- the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS Utah, USS Cassin, and the USS Downers. Japanese carrier, Hiryu, under attack by the B-17s By 6:20 AM, 49 bombers, 51 dive-bombers, 40 torpedo-planes, and 41 Zero fighters took off to Oahu. At 6:30 AM the USS Antares, an American supply ship, spotted a submarine outside the submarine net. The USS Ward destroyed it soon after. America had first blood in the Battle of Pearl Harbor. Of the 300 planes on the island, only three made it airborne. At 7:53 AM, the famous radio message, by Japenese Fuchida, 'Torra, Torra, Torra' was sent. Most people believed they were not being bombed when they heard the first one dropped. Mitsuo Fuchida plane, the Kate At 7:05 AM, radar operations spotted a blip of more than 50 planes; it was reported, yet disregarded, because B-17s were expected that morning. They realized they were under attack when a dive-bomber blew up a hanger at the Ford Island Command Center. They then radioed, "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is not drill." At 7:55 AM, the Harbor was under full-scale attack. For three hours the bombs and torpedoes went through the Navy's prized battleships. At 10:00 AM, the battle was over. But the war was just beginning for America.

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