Pearl Harbor: The Myth of US Carrier Absence and the Real Reason for the Attack
The events surrounding the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, have been a subject of much debate and conspiracy theories. One of the most persistent claims is that the absence of the US carriers was evidence that the US government knew the attack was coming. However, this article aims to debunk this myth and reveal the actual reasons behind the attack and the positioning of the US fleet.
Strategic Positioning and the Role of US Carriers
Many historians and experts argue that the absence of US carriers from Pearl Harbor was not a sign of foreknowledge, but rather a matter of strategic positioning and military necessity. The United States, at the time, underestimated Japan's ability to launch a surprise attack from such a distant location. Despite this, the US was indeed preparing for potential conflict in the Pacific.
Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, was tasked with reinforcing the air defenses of the strategic islands that served as crucial recon bases and air links to the Philippines. Islands like Midway (1149 nautical miles northwest from Honolulu) and Wake (2004 nautical miles west of Honolulu) were key to these efforts. The distance from Wake to the Japanese base at Truk Lagoon was only 1116 nautical miles southwest, making it a particularly strategic location.
Preparation for Conflict
Admiral Kimmel's orders under the Rainbow Plan were to seize islands for a base in the Marshall Islands within six months. Wake was designated to serve as his outpost for reconnaissance and long-range bombers in the area. Both Wake and Midway also hosted seaplane bases for the Pan Am Clipper route, which was important for the United States' commercial and military interests.
On the morning of December 6, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's forces launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. While the attack was indeed a surprise, it is important to note that the United States was expecting an attack, but the primary target was the Philippines, not Pearl Harbor.
Strategic Considerations and Misunderstandings
The strategic rationale behind reinforcing these islands, rather than protecting Pearl Harbor, was rooted in the understanding that Pearl Harbor was relatively isolated and rendered less effective compared to these strategically positioned islands. The US was also preparing to send the aircraft carriers Lexington and Enterprise to deliver supplies to American colonies in the Pacific. The Saratoga was undergoing maintenance and would later join the fleet.
The battle-lines and the positioning of the ships were based on the belief that Japan would attack the Philippines and not Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces took a direct route towards the Philippines, which was also the expected path of the attack. However, the strategic importance of Pearl Harbor for defending the Philippines and other strategic locations was not underlined due to the outdated battleships and the focus on the newer, faster carriers and aircraft.
Final Preparations and Sabotage Concerns
Nevertheless, the fleet at Pearl Harbor was not completely unprepared. On December 7, 17 B-17s arrived to help patrol the sea lanes leading to Hawaii. The primary concern was sabotage, as the fleet had been ordered to park planes in such a way to guard against it. The torpedo nets were also raised to ease navigation in the harbor. The lack of long-range patrols in those directions was due to a lack of long-range planes and the certainty that no one would attack from that direction, not due to any potential foreknowledge.
The attack on Pearl Harbor has been commemorated as a strategic blunder for the US. However, it also served as a turning point that galvanized a nation and led to significant improvements in naval and air power. The absence of the carriers was a product of tactical planning and not a sign of government knowledge of the impending attack.
In conclusion, while the attack on Pearl Harbor was a tragic event, the absence of the carriers at the time of the attack does not suggest that the US government knew about it. The strategic reasons for their positioning, combined with the need to reinforce other critical locations, played a key role in the positioning of the US fleet at that time. The focus on the Philippines and the misunderstanding of Japan's capabilities led to the unanticipated attack on Pearl Harbor.