RT by sentdefender: #OTD 82 years ago, America is suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The IJN catch American forces flatfooted at Pearl Harbor, sinking 4 battleships and damaging a number of smaller units in the harbor. Surrounding Hawaiian airfields are bombed and strafed, resulting in almost 350 aircraft damaged or destroyed. US casualties are just shy of 2,500 dead, with almost 1200 wounded. Japanese forces accomplish all this with minimal losses - 5 midget subs and 29 aircraft lost, with total casualties of 64 killed and 1 captured. Unfortunately for Japan, Admiral Nagumo decides to withdraw instead of launching additional strikes to destroy the USN submarines in harbor, or many of the support facilities - dockyards, oil farms, drydocks, etc. Submarines will play a major role in the Pacific Theater of the war and the survival of its military infrastructure allows the USN to rebuild its capabilities at a greatly increased pace than it otherwise would have.
@RealCynicalFox OTD years ago, America is suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The IJN catch American forces flatfooted at Pearl Harbor, sinking battleships and damaging a number of smaller units in the harbor. Surrounding Hawaiian airfields are bombed and...