The Attack on Pearl Harbor (Part 3)
December 7, 1941

In a view taken from a Japanese aircraft during the first wave of the attack, a plume from a torpedo explosion can be seen at center, alongside USS Oklahoma, which ultimately capsized. A Japanese torpedo plane can be seen banking around just to the right of the plume. Moments after this photograph was taken, USS Arizona was hit by 800kg (1,760 lbs) bombs dropped by high-level bombers. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo NH50930.

The assault of the first wave ended about 8:45 a.m. There was a momentary lull before the second wave of Japanese planes arrived at 8:50 a.m. No torpedo planes came with the second group of dive and high-altitude bombers.

Torpedo planes attack "Battleship Row" at about 8:00 a.m. on December 7, seen from a Japanese aircraft. Ships are, from lower left to right: Nevada with flag raised at stern; Arizona with Vestal outboard; Tennessee with West Virginia outboard; Maryland with Oklahoma outboard; the fleet oiler (tanker) Neosho and California. West Virginia, Oklahoma and California have been torpedoed, as marked by ripples and spreading oil, and the first two are listing to port. Torpedo drop splashes and running tracks are visible at left and center. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo NH50931.

As the second wave withdrew, Fuchida circled Pearl Harbor and assessed the damage. Satisfied, he took a last look and signaled his pilots to return to the carrier. The main objective of the attack -- demobilizing the Pacific Fleet -- had been accomplished. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,104 wounded. Twenty-one ships of the Pacific Fleet had been sunk or damaged, and 75 percent of the planes on the airfields surrounding Pearl Harbor were damaged or destroyed.

Aerial view of "Battleship Row" three days after the attack, on December 10, 1941, showing damage from the Japanese raid three days earlier. In upper left is the sunken USS California, with smaller vessels clustered around it. Diagonally, from left center to lower right are: USS Maryland, lightly damaged, with the capsized USS Oklahoma outboard. A barge is alongside Oklahoma, supporting rescue efforts. USS Tennessee, lightly damaged, with the sunken USS West Virginia outboard.
USS Arizona, lower right, is sunk, with its hull shattered by the explosion of the magazines below the two forward turrets. Note dark oil streaks on the harbor surface, originating from the sunken battleships. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo G-387565.

It was nearly 10 o'clock when the first wave of Japanese aircraft began landing on their carriers. By noon, the last planes had been recovered. Twenty-nine Japanese planes were lost, along with 55 airmen. The Special Attack Unit of midget submarines had lost 10 crewmen and all five boats, one boat and one prisoner were captured by Americans the following day on the beaches near Bellows Airfield.

Fuchida was gratified to see planes being readied for a third assault because many targets had been left untouched, particularly the naval shipyard, oil-storage facilities, and a number of American ships. While he wondered when the third wave would be launched, a heated debate was underway on the bridge of the fleet flagship Akagi.

Admiral Nagumo had feared the operation would not be successful, yet he had achieved successful results with minimal casualties. It was his contention that the mission was accomplished. Furthermore, the fleet's fuel was running low. More important, American carriers and other ships not in port were now searching for him. At 1 o'clock the task force altered course and began its journey back to Japan. This decision was a major blunder that greatly minimized the long-term effects of the attack on the American war machine.