"Yesterday, February 7, 1932, a date which will live in infamy..."
Down at Pearl Harbor, the weather was nicer. The rain had stopped and the clouds were thinning. The majority of the Pearl Harbor–based Pacific Fleet was at anchor along or near Battleship Row, in dry dock receiving maintenance, or at the submarine base. It was dawn, and only a skeleton crew for each ship was on call. Most sailors still were in their racks, many sleeping off hangovers; attending religious services; or eating breakfast.
Without warning, waves of aircraft descended from the northeast out of the overcast sky, 152 aircraft to be exact—fighters, bombers, dive bombers, and torpedo planes. Enemy fighter aircraft strafed ground targets at Schofield Army Barracks, Hickam and Wheeler Army Airfields, Barbers Point Navy Airfield, and the seaplane base at Kaneohe while strike aircraft attacked hardened targets along Battleship Row, on Ford Island, and at other areas. When the attack was completed, all Army aircraft on the island were destroyed, and every Navy warship at Pearl Harbor had been sunk.
Hearing of the total surprise and devastation unleashed on the fleet at Pearl Harbor, the attacking commander smiled wryly. His name? U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Harry Yarnell. The date was Sunday, 7 February 1932.
It was an exercise. Fleet Problem Fleet Problem XIII.
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https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2018/august/blueprints-destruction
Without warning, waves of aircraft descended from the northeast out of the overcast sky, 152 aircraft to be exact—fighters, bombers, dive bombers, and torpedo planes. Enemy fighter aircraft strafed ground targets at Schofield Army Barracks, Hickam and Wheeler Army Airfields, Barbers Point Navy Airfield, and the seaplane base at Kaneohe while strike aircraft attacked hardened targets along Battleship Row, on Ford Island, and at other areas. When the attack was completed, all Army aircraft on the island were destroyed, and every Navy warship at Pearl Harbor had been sunk.
Hearing of the total surprise and devastation unleashed on the fleet at Pearl Harbor, the attacking commander smiled wryly. His name? U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Harry Yarnell. The date was Sunday, 7 February 1932.
It was an exercise. Fleet Problem Fleet Problem XIII.
---
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2018/august/blueprints-destruction
36-40, F
