From: U.S. Congressional Joint Committee on Pearl Harbor Attack Hearings: Pt.  24, Proceedings of the Roberts Commission, pp. 1570-1611.

 

1570 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

Cincpac File No

A16-3/ (02088)

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET

USS PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship

PEARL HARBOR, T. H., December 21, 1941.

 

From: Rear Admiral H. E. Kimmel, U. S. Navy.

To: The Secretary of the Navy.

Via: The Chief of Naval Operations.

Subject: Report of action of T December 1941.

Enclosure:

(A) Partial narrative of events occurring during Japanese Air Raid on  Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.

(B) Cincpac secret letter L11-1(1) (50) serial 02019 of-December 12, 1941 OpNav. Subject: Damage to Ships Pacific Fleet Resulting From Japanese Attack 7 December 1941.

(C) Supplementary partial report of damage to ships.

(D) Disposition of own forces, sortie from harbor, and conduct of the search.

 

1. The first indication of the attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941 was a telephone report received by the Staff Duty Officer from the Fourteenth Naval District Duty Officer at about 0720 (LCT). It reported an attack by the WARD on a hostile submarine off the entrance of Pearl Harbor. Twenty minutes thereafter another telephone report from Operations Officer Patrol Wing TWO, was received that a patrol plane had sunk a hostile submarine south of the entrance buoy. This was followed by an additional telephone report from the Fourteenth Naval District stating the WARD was towing a sampan into Honolulu. At about 0752 a telephone report was received from the Navy Yard Signal Tower as follows: "Enemy Air Raid Not Drill." Almost simultaneously Japanese planes were observed over the Fleet. Dive bombers were bombing the adjacent air fields, accompanied by torpedo plane attacks on the ships in the harbor. From then on there was almost continuous enemy air activity of some kind over the harbor, but there seemed to be separate periods of intense activity as if different new waves were arriving prior to departure of last one. The first of these periods lasted from about 0755 to around 0820. Another period was from about 0900 to 0930 and consisted mainly of dive bombers, a third wave, by high altitude bombers, interspersed with dive bombing and strafing came over about 0930. Meanwhile enemy submarines were reported in Pearl Harbor. One submarine was rammed and sunk by the MONAGHAN. All enemy planes withdrew about 1000.

2. It appears that the raid on OAHU was excellently planned and executed in that every air field on the island was bombed and strafed in an attempt to demobilize all planes.

3. Before the attacks were completed, Commander Patrol Wing TWO, in accordance with standard orders, established such search as he was able to do with the planes remaining.

4. It is estimated from the radio calls exchanged, bearings received, and examination of enemy crashed planes, that 4 to 6 Japanese carriers participated in the raid. Enclosure (D), forwarded herewith, represents the disposition of our Task Forces in effect for 7 December, as well as the action taken to locate and destroy the enemy forces.

5. All reports received from commands afloat are unanimous in their praise for the magnificent behavior of our personnel. Specific eases deserving commendation and reward will be reported in separate correspondence.

6. Partial report of damage, as submitted in enclosure (B) is supplemented herewith by enclosure (C).

7. Revised reports of casualties to personnel are being submitted as frequently as sufficient accurate data are available. Additional information concerning the results of the action on 7 December will be forwarded as soon as the remaining missing narratives have been received.

 

H. E. KIMMEL.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1571

 

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET

USS PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship

 

Cincpac File No.

 

The attached report (enclosure (A)) is compiled from the narrative reports received from each ship listed in the second column, in addition to the incoming and outgoing messages of the Commander-in-Chief's file and a few intelligence reports.

This is only a partial report as individual ship's reports are still being received. The report contains a few inaccuracies which when time permits, will be checked and verified and a corrected report submitted to the Department.

 

[1]

NARRATIVE OF EVENTS OCCURRING DURING JAPANESE AIR RAID ON DECEMBER 7, 194l

 

0618

On the morning 7 Dec. Task Force 8 (ENTERPRISE, NORTHAMPTON, SALT LAKE CITY, CHESTER, (Crudiv 5), DUNLAP, ELIOT, FANNING, BENHAM, GRIDLEY, MAURY, BALCH, (Desron 6) were returning to Pearl Harbor after completing mission vicinity Wake Island. From position approximately 215 miles West of Pearl routing scouting flight launched. Flight had orders to search ahead sector through 045-135° for distance 150 miles. Thence planes to proceed to Pearl. Three planes also launched to establish inner air patrol.

0630

ANTARES Arrived off Pearl Harbor, from Canton and Palmyra with 500 tons steel barge in tow. Sighted suspicious object 1500 yds. on stbd. quarter. Appeared to be small submarine but could not positively identify it. Accordingly notified inshore patrol ship, WARD to investigate it.

0633

ANTARES Observed Navy Patrol plane circle and drop 2 smoke pots near object.

0645

ANTARES Observed WARD commence firing for 2 minutes. Patrol plane appeared to drop bombs or depth charged object which disappeared.

0700

VP Squadron 24 Had four of the six PBY5 planes depart Pearl Harbor for scheduled training exercise in operating area C-5. One of the remaining two planes was out of commission for structural changes; the other in standby status for ready duty.

[2]

 

0700

Plane 14P-1 sank enemy sub. 1 mile off P. H. Entrance. FORCES UNDER COMMAND OF PATWING TWO (COMTASKFOR 9) disposed as follows:

Patron 21 Midway: Patron 11, 12, 14, Kaneohoe; Patron 21, 22, 23, 24 Pearl Harbor. WRIGHT enroute from P. H. For Midway. Condition of readiness B-5. (50% aircraft on 4 hours notice). Specific duty assignments required 6 planes from Patron 14, 24, and 12 to be ready for flight on 30 minutes notice. Total number of planes ready for flight or in the air in 4 hours or less: 72. At time first bomb dropped 14 patrol aircraft were in the air (7 on search from Midway), 58 ready for flight in 4 hours or less. Nine undergoing repairs.

[3]

 

0735

PATRON 21 Patwing 2 staff duty officer received and decoded message 14P-1 sank enemy submarine one mile off Pearl Harbor.

0740

PATRON 21 Staff duty officer C-C informed by CPW2 of patrol plane sinking report. Patwing 2 proceeded to draft a search plan.

[4]

 

0715

KEOSANQUA Began to receive tow from ANTARES.

0726

HELM Underway from berth X-7 for deperming buoys at West Loch. All hands at special sea detail stations. Both boats manned and in the water with instructions to follow the ship to West Loch. All magnetic compasses and chronometers had been left in the BLUE preparatory to deperming.

0743

Local hostilities commenced with air raid on Pearl. Received message from plane #7 of VP 14 to CTF 3 that plane had sunk one enemy submarine one mile off Pearl Harbor entrance.

 

1572 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

0745

AVOCET Moored at Berth F-1A, NAS Dock, Pearl Harbor. Bomb explosion and planes heard and sighted attacking Ford Island hangars.

TUCKER. Nested alongside WHITNEY. 5" gun #3 could not be fired All other guns and .50 cal. machine guns fired at attacking planes during all attacks. No loss of personnel or material. It is believed this vessel shot down three or four enemy planes.

PATRON 11 Two planes in hangar 4 planes at south end of hangar 6 planes on ramp. As soon as raid started three rifles were manned immediately. Two machine guns manned in a plane being removed from the hangar. Machine gun position in plane abandoned and guns moved to a safer position. Set up 2 machine gun nests near south end of hangar. Damage received: 7 planes burned; one wrecked; and four damaged but can be repaired. All hangar, office equipment, and stores destroyed.

[5]

 

0745

PATRON 12 Two planes moored in Kaneohe Bay, two in hangar and 8 on parking apron. Upon being attacked manned machine guns in planes, mounted machine guns in pits and used rifles. Observed second wave of horizontal bombers did not release bombs. Own losses 8 PBY-5's planes completely destroyed, two severely damaged, two moderately damaged, all hangar, office equipment and stores destroyed

0750

TRACY Moored port side to Berth 16, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, undergoing overhaul. PREBLE and CUMMINGS moored to starboard in that order. Ship totally disabled with main auxiliary machinery boilers and gun batteries dismantled.

0750

TAUTOG Observed enemy three plane formation of dive bombers over Aiea fleet landing on southwest course. Enemy character not discovered until bombs were dropped.

0750

CALIFORNIA Sounded general quarters and set condition Zed. Lieutenant Commander M. N. Little, First Lieutenant was S. O. P. on board and made preparations for getting underway.

0750

CASSIN'S Commanding Officer observed about 100 feet away from starboard side of dry dock #1 at altitude of 100 feet and airplane with large red disks on bottom of wings. Sounded general quarters and made attempts to locate ammunition: part of 5" guns under overhaul. .50 calibre machine guns were unlimbered.

[6]

 

0750

PATRON 21 Drafting of CPW2 search plan completed.

0750

OKLAHOMA (0750 or 0753) struck by 3 torpedoes on port side frames 25, 35-40 and 1l5. Ship heeled to port 45  meanwhile A. A. Batteries manned and G. Q. executed. Rapid heeling of ship and oil and water on decks rendered service to guns ineffective.

0750

CURTIS Moored in berth X-22, condition X-RAY. Number 3 boiler steaming. Ship at G. Q. Ship strafed by fighter planes. Observed bomb hit on VP hangar at NAS. UTAH, RALEIGH and RICHMOND attacked by torpedoes.

[7]

 

0760

PYRO Secured along West Loch dock, stbd. side to. Heard noise of low-flying aircraft and explosion in Navy Yard area. Observed two low wing monoplanes about 100 feet above water head for PYRO's port beam. Planes zoomed clear of ship and was observed to be Japanese. Sounded General Quarters and prepared to get underway.

0752

AVOCET Sounded General Quarters and opened fire with 3" A. A. Battery. Hit Japanese plane which had just turned away after torpedoing CALIFORNIA. Plane burst into flames and crashed near Naval Hospital. Fired 144 rounds 3"/50 cal. And 1750 rounds .30 cal.

0753

PRUITT Reports 10 planes flying low, 200 feet, bombed Ford Island and blew up hangar.

0753

TERN Notified of attack and made preparation for getting underway.

0753

TRACY Observed BBs attacked from astern by about 10 dive bombers. Torpedo planes at about 100 feet approached from Easterly direction attacking BBs. O. O. D. saw dive bombers attack BBs (10 planes and Ford Is. from North). Attack followed by horizontal and dive bombers on same objective plus ships in dry dock. 1 dive bomber passed close enough to observe that it was a single engine by-plane probably type 94.

0754

GAMBLE Heard explosions on Ford Island.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION   1573

 

[8]

 

0755

BAGLEY Moored Navy Yard Pearl Harbor, berth B-22, repairs to starboard bilge keel. Sighted dive bombers in action over Hickam Field. They were believed at that time to be Army bombers. Shortly after this time enemy plane approached from the direction of Merry Point at about 30-40 feet altitude and dropped torpedo on OKLAHOMA and retired. Opened up with forward machine guns on attacking plane. Machine gun fire bagged 5th plane, it swerved and torpedo dropped and exploded in bank 30 feet ahead of BAGLEY. Plane finally downed in channel. Concluded machine gunning enemy planes. 3 planes believed to have been shot down by BAGLEY.

BOBOLINK Observed about 12 dive bombers centering their attack south hangars of Ford Island.

BREESE Moored in berth D-3. Middle Loch, in nest with division order of ships from starboard USS RAMSAY, BREESE, MONTGOMERY, and GAMBLE.

Observed bombing of old hangar on Ford Island. Sounded General Quarters. Set Condition "A", and made preparations for getting underway. Sent boats to landing to pick up men.

CACHALOT Moored at Berth # 1, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor undergoing scheduled overhaul.

CASTOR Sounded general quarters. Ship berthed at Merry Point.

CONYNGHAM Heading north moored starboard side to WHITNEY at berth X-8. REID, TUCKER, CASE, and SELFRIDGE outboard. Ship undergoing routine tender overhaul, receiving power from tender. Noted large fire on Ford Island and observed horizontal and dive bombing planes attacking. Sounded General Quarters.

DEWEY Observed UTAH to be torpedoed and to list rapidly. DEWEY at  nest, DesDiv ONE, with PHELPS alongside port side DOBBIN at X-2 under overhaul.

[9]

 

0755

DOLPHIN Moored portside to Pier 4, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. Japanese aircraft delivered dive bomb and torpedo attack on Pearl Harbor. Sounded General Quarters.

HELM Turned into West Loch channel and headed up toward deperming buoys.

HENLEY Through error in gangway watch in calling crew to quarters for muster at 0755, General Alarm was sounded instead of gas alarm as customary. Observed first torpedo plane attack on UTAH. Crew proceeded to Battle Stations while General Alarm sounded the second time. Set material condition AFFIRM. Made preparations for getting underway. Opened file on light bomber. Altitude about 17,000 feet apparently steady on Northerly course; approaching from seaward and passing over Ford Island.

HONOLULU Moored port side to berth B21 Navy Yard Pearl with USS ST. LOUIS alongside stbd. side. Planes were seen diving on HICKAM FIELD. At the same time a wave of torpedo planes were seen approaching over fleet landing. Sounded general quarters and passed word "Enemy Air Raid". Ship prepared to get underway. A. A. batteries came into action gun by gun as they were manned. 50 caliber and 30 caliber M. G.'s fired on enemy torpedo planes attacking the BB's. From this time until raid ended 30 caliber, 50 caliber and 5"/25 A. A. guns fired at every available target. Service ammunition expended 2,800 rounds of 30 caliber, 4,500 of 50 caliber, 250 rounds of 5"/25 caliber.

12 two-seat low wing monoplanes flying low from Southeast dropped one torpedo at each battleship. Saw two planes destroyed.

18 low wing dive bombers from Southeast. All bombed Hickam Field.

MinDiv ONE Undergoing scheduled overhaul, moored in repair base. Guns and ammunition removed. Crews, except the watch on board, living in Navy Yard receiving barracks.

[10]

 

0755

MinDiv ONE Japanese planes were seen to attack the BB's. Men were sent to adjacent ships, NEW ORLEANS, SAN FRANCISCO, and CUMMINGS, to assist in manning A.A. guns and handle ammunition. Meanwhile receiving barracks sent men (our) to other ships to assist in fighting fires or handling ammunition. These men reported to PENNSYLVANIA, CALIFORNIA, and WHITNEY. Also in the Yard. Miner's Mates were sent to West Loch. 50 and 30 caliber MG's were reassembled and remounted and ammunition was obtained from

 

1574  CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

 

NEW ORLEANS, SAN FRANCISCO and Marine Barracks. These guns were used against the enemy making the later attacks. No ship of division suffered damage.

PATTERSON Moored at berth X-11, battle stations manned. Opened fire with main and 50 caliber batteries. The PATTERSON considered that at least one enemy plane was shot down. The plane claimed by PATTERSON was one observed diving on CURTISS approaching from ahead at about 400 ft. Altitude. Plane was seen to fall apart at same time shot was fired by #2 gun.

PHOENIX First attacking plane sighted from Signal Bridge attacking from north of Ford Island. Plane had all guns firing. Passed over stern of RALEIGH and proceeded toward Ford Island Control Tower and dropped bomb.

PREBLE On 7 December was undergoing Navy Yard overhaul at berth Z-15 with no ammunition on board and the engineering plant dismantled. First attack on battleships began with about 20 torpedo planes. Planes were in low horizontal flight when observed and attacked from eastward. Enemy planes approached battleships to close range before releasing torpedoes.

RALEIGH Commanding Officer felt dull explosion and looking out airport observed water boiling amidships. Received report that Japanese were attacking fleet. Sounded general quarters.

Both planes were successfully hoisted out by hand power. Doctor was directed to report to SOLACE. [11] Damage repair party  was sent to capsized UTAH to cut men out of hull. Sent Signal to send pontoon and a lighter alongside from BALTIMORE to RALEIGH. These were delivered and secured to port quarter and acted as an out-rigger. Torpedoes, minus war heads were pushed overboard and beached at Ford Island. All stanchions, boat skids and life rafts and booms were jettisoned. Both anchors let go.

RAMAPO O. O. D. Observed Japanese dive bomber come in close and drop couple of bombs. Sounded General Quarters and opened fire with A.A. Guns (3"/). Motor Torpedo Boats on board also opened fire with machine guns. Order of attack observed to be dive bombers strafing, torpedo planes, dive bombers bombing, horizontal planes bombing. Our personnel reported 3" shell hit plane. No losses in personnel and no material damage.

RAMSAY Moored at berth D-3 observed bomb land on western end of Ford Island.

REID Observed unidentified plane attacking Ford Island.

SOLACE Received report of air raid, closed all watertight doors and ports, called away rescue parties; prepared hospital facilities and sent 2 motor launches with rescue parties to ARIZONA.

SUMNER Was moored to the new dock at the southern end of the Submarine Base, port side to, bow to eastward. Armament is four 3" 23 caliber A.A. guns, four 50 caliber machine guns, and one 5" 51 caliber broadside.

SWAN Sounded General Quarters. In Marine Railway, boiler upkeep.  Observed bomb dropped on South ramp of Fleet Air Base. TAUTOG Observed about 20 planes approaching on line of OAHU rail road tracks, and over Merry's point. Torpedoes were dropped from about 50 feet after submarine base pier was passed. Fourth plane in line and plane near end of line were shot down by this ship and HULBERT before torpedoes were dropped.

[12]

A Japanese plane flew from North to South over a fish pond adjacent to water front resident of Lt. R. B. Black, U. S. N. R. on the East shore of Pearl City Peninsula. A long burst of machine gun fire was directed at the breakwater enclosing the fish pond, and a single fisherman wearing a white shirt was seen to run rapidly along the breakwater. This material is forwarded to indicate that enemy pilots were directing fire at individuals (civilians) at a considerable distance from any military objectives.

0755

VESTAL Sounded General Quarters. Manned A. A. Battery, 3" A. A. and .5" broadside and .30 cal. M. G.

VIREO Moored inboard at Coal Dock (seaward end) with TURKEY, BOBOLINK, and RAIL, outboard.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION  1575

 

 

WIDGEON No remarks except machine gun and rifle fire used against enemy. No losses or damage.

WEST VIRGINIA Passed word "Away fire and rescue party" followed by General Quarters. Two heavy shocks felt on hull of W. VA. Apparently forward and on port side. Ship began to list rapidly to port. Another third heavy shock felt to port. Plane on top of turret 4 caught on fire. A heavy explosion occurred with about 20  list on ship to port. Central station directed to counterflood. The following last explosion flashed a flame about 15 feet high occurred forward on ARIZONA. A second flash occurred on the ARIZONA higher than the foretop. Burning debris rained on Quarter Deck of W. VA. After the 2 ARIZONA explosions the W. VA. began to right itself when a large fire broke out amidships. Word received from central station to abandon ship. A wall of flame advancing toward the W. VA. and TENNESSEE from the ARIZONA. W. VA. Personnel began to abandon ship as fire had grown out of control. Meanwhile magazines of W. VA. Had been flooded. W. VA. personnel report to TENNESSEE. Remaining survivors ashore and elsewhere sent back to W. VA. to fight fire. Fire on W. VA. extinguished Monday afternoon.

[13]

 

0756

BOBOLINK Ready duty status, moored at next end, of coal docks with VIREO and TURKEY inboard, RAIL outboard. Informed by gangway watch that Japanese Planes were bombing us. Sounded General Quarters.

GAMBLE Wave of about 50 Japanese planes attacked Battleships and Naval Air Station, Ford Island, planes flying at low altitudes about 500 feet over Battleships from direction of Diamond Head, about 700 feet over Ford Island. Five successive waves of the attack of about 10 planes each.

MinDiv TWO Went to General Quarters and set Condition "A".

THORNTON Reports attack by Japanese Aircraft commenced; General Alarm was sounded and all hands went to Air Defense Stations. THORNTON moored port side to dock at Berth S-1, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. Stations manned were as follows: Control, Machine Gun Battery Control, Repair, and 4 .50 cal. Machine Guns, 3 .30 Cal. Lewis Machine Guns, 3 .30 Browning automatic rifles, and 12 .30 cal. Springfield rifles.

 

0757

Ensign Chiles of JARVIS called Lieut. Ford and said "Someone is bombing us".

BREESE Opened fire with .50 cal. Machine guns.

CONYNGHAM Observed Torpedo planes attacking RALEIGH, UTAH and DETROIT from the West.

DEWEY Sounded General Quarters.

HELENA Moored at 1010 Dock, Berth 2, portside to Dock. OGLALA alongside starboard side. Reported observed planes over Ford Island, 14,000 ft. altitude. Signalman on bridge with previous duty on Asiatic Station identified planes immediately. General Alarm sounded and service ammunition broke out.

HULL GENERAL QUARTERS. Prepared to get underway.

[14]

 

0757

NEW ORLEANS Moored at Berth 16, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor undergoing Engine Repairs, receiving power and light from Dock. Sighted Enemy planes dive bombing Ford Island; sounded General Quarters.

0757

PENNSYLVANIA In Dry Dock #1. 3 Propeller Shafts removed. Destroyers CASSIN and DOWNES in Dock ahead of PENNSYLVANIA. Floating Dock West of new dry dock adjoining PENNSYLVANIA occupied by SHAW. Cruiser HELENA and OGLALA at Berth B-2 (PENNSYLVANIA normal berth). CALIFORNIA in F-3. MARYLAND in F-4 inboard. OKLAHOMA outboard: Berth F-6, TENNESSEE inboard WEST VIRGINIA outboard, F7 ARIZONA, F8 NEVADA. Machine Guns in foremast manned and condition watch of A. A. personnel available. Ship receiving steam, water and power from yard. Heard explosions on end of Ford Island and realized an Air Raid in progress after 2nd explosion. Air defense sounded, followed by General Quarters. Set Condition YOKE.

0757

SUMNER Signal watch and Quartermaster on Bridge sighted ten dive bombers attacking Navy Yard. Observed two explosions in Navy Yard. Sounded Alarm.

 

1576 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

0757

TREVER Mine Division FOUR moored at Buoys D-7 bows toward Pearl City, in order from North: TREVER, WASMUTH, ZANE, and PERRY. Sounded General Quarters at time when first bomb was dropped by Japanese on North side of Ford Island.

0757

WASMUTH WASMUTH reports first Japanese planes attacked. Went to General Quarters at once with all guns in action within 3 minutes. However, as ship was inside nest of four, only two after guns could bear. Made all preparations for getting underway.

[15]

 

0757

PATRON 21 First Bomb dropped near VP-22 Hangar. Message order broadcast to all ships present "AIR RAID P. H. X THIS IS NOT DRILL" (a similar message was sent by CinCPac).

[16]

 

0757

ZANE ZANE moored bow and stern to nest with Mine Division FOUR at buoys D-7; order from port to starboard: TREVER, WASMUTH, ZANE and PERRY. First call to standby colors sounded, Signalmen on watch observed single Japanese plane drop bomb from about 10000 feet on southern end Ford Island after approach from Northward. Sounded General Quarters; manned A. A. battery. Commenced firing with A. A. battery at all planes passing within reasonable distances. Made all preparations to get underway.

0758

ANTARES ANTARES heard explosion in Pearl Harbor and observed Japanese planes delivering attack.

0758

BAGLEY BAGLEY observed Torpedo Plane come in from direction of Merry Point between Navy Yard and Kuahua Island, 30 or 40 feet altitude, headed for OKLAHOMA. About 2 or 3 hundred yards from OKLAHOMA, plane dropped its torpedo and hit OKLAHOMA amidships, sounded General Quarters and commenced firing. Hit fourth plane coming in which was seen to crash in channel off Officers' Club landing. Machine gun fire on 8th plane made it swerve to left causing torpedo to drop and explode in bank about 30 feet ahead of BAGLEY. Number one machine gun downed plane in Navy Yard channel. Third torpedo plane hit by BAGLEY was observed headed for light cruisers HONOLULU and ST. LOUIS astern of BAGLEY. Plane went out of control, dropped its torpedo and seemed to hit L-head Crane in Navy Yard. This was about the eleventh plane to come in. Next plane hit by BAGLEY came over dock but was downed with a short burst. Torpedo dropped in lumber pile and plane believed to have crashed on dock. Fifth plane brought down by BAGLEY came clown on starboard side, nose directly up into air and spun into crash loosing its torpedo. Sixth plane brought down by BAGLEY was a dive bomber during second phase of attack and after torpedo attack. This plane was shot down by 5" gun and those from other ships.

[17]

 

0758

CUMMINGS CUMMINGS observed enemy planes making torpedo attack on Battleships moored to East side of Ford Island. Sounded General Quarters.

0758

GAMBLE Went to General Quarters, opened fire with .50 cal. Machine guns on planes passing over nest at about 800 feet altitude. Set Material Condition Affirm except for certain protected Ammunition Passages.

0758

JARVIS General Quarters sounded on JARVIS.

0758

HULBERT HULBERT sounded General Quarters. Torpedo plane sighted heading West over East Lock preparing to launch torpedo against Battleship off Ford Island. HULBERT reports bringing down 1 Japanese Torpedo Plane by .50 cal. A. A. fire from Berth S-3, Submarine Base.

0758

HULL Gangway watch opened fire with .45 caliber pistol on two (2) planes crossing bow within 50 yards.

0758

MUGFORD Moored Port side to the USS SACRAMENTO, Berth No. 6, Navy Yard. USS JARVIS moored Port side to MUGFORD. Attack started. Japanese planes dive on Ford Island. Several large bombs struck the sea plane landing ramp followed by explosions near hangars. Several Japanese planes came in low from Southwest and released torpedoes which struck OKLAHOMA and WEST VIRGINIA. Enemy torpedo planes came in continuously from same direction and fired torpedoes at the Battleships.

0759

REID REID went to General Quarters.

0758

RIGEL Ford Island attack by 10 dive bombers from North at 10,000 feet.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1577

 

[18]

 

0758

TENNESSEE TENNESSEE attacked by enemy planes (Japanese). Oily water around stern burning. Canvas awning on stern on fire, Turret III. Smoke pouring into Repair I. Smoke so thick, cannot see. Repair I have men standby magazine flood, Turret III. All boats on fire. Fire in Maintop, secondary aft. Fire in maintop seems to be out. WEST VIRGINIA's quarterdeck and planes on fire. Fire on Turret III. Could not get morphine out of doctor's room because it was unsafe, men report that room was too hot to go in and cut safe open, D-310 excessively hot investigate. Squadron of planes diving on Navy Yard. Repair I, unit 3, abandoned station too hot. Fire on topside seems to be under control. D-310 A is all right. Set Condition ZED in lower handling room of Turret III. OKLAHOMA seems to be capsizing. CALIFORNIA down by the stern. WEST VIRGINIA has pretty bad fire below Signal Bridge. TENNESSEE was hit twice, soon after attack began: one hit (bomb) on face of Turret II, and bomb hit on top of Turret III, penetrating.

0758

THORNTON THORNTON commenced firing with .50 cal. machine gun battery followed immediately by .30 cal. machine guns and .30 cal. rifles.

0759

GAMBLE GAMBLE opened fire with 3"/23 cal. AA guns, firing as planes came within range, fuses set 3 to 8 secs.

0759

HELM First enemy plane sighted in shallow dive over Ford Island, headed Northwest. Observed first bomb hit on hangar at southwest end of Ford Island. Called crew to General Quarters. Opened magazines and got ammunition to guns.

0759

JARVIS Lieut. Ford and Lieut. Johnson of JARVIS reach bridge. Jap torpedo planes coming in at 30 to 60 second intervals, approaching from Merry Point direction and attacking BBs.

[19]

 

0759

SUMNER Observed torpedo planes approach over S. E. Loch attacking BBs, circling Ford Island and flying off to south west.

0759

WHITNEY Observed air raid attack by Japanese air force and explosions on Ford Island, WHITNEY moored bow and stern to buoys X-8 and X-8x, 6 fathoms of water, supplying steam, electricity, fresh and flush-water to CONNYNGHAM, REID, TUCKER, CASE, and SELFRIDGE, moored alongside to port.

0759

PELIAS PELIAS reports 9 dive bombers attacked out of direction of sun the Battleships. One broke off and dive bombed PENNSYLVANIA.

0800

Two officers from ship hiking in back of Aiea witnessed attack. They stated later that 3 separate flights of planes appeared at 3 levels; low, medium and high from the north.

0800

VIREO C. O. VIREO heard an explosion. Immediately Japanese planes were seen, and General Quarters sounded.

0800

ANTARES ANTARES under machine gun fire. Topside hit by machine gun bullets, bomb and shell fragments. Being unarmed no offensive tactics were possible. In order to avoid placing ship and personnel in jeopardy, authority was requested to enter Honolulu Harbor.

0800

COMINBATFOR Comincraft in OGLALA observed enemy bomb fall seaward and Ford Island; no damage. The next bomb caused fires near waters. Flames flared up from structures south end of island. Next bomb fell alongside or on board 7 battleships moored at F-1 east side of Ford Island. Jap planes flew between fifty and l00 feet of water, dropping 3 torpedoes or mines in channel on line between OGLALA and seaward end of Ford Island. [20] Torpedo hit OGLALA and  HELENA simultaneously. These ships were moored abreast of B-2 of ten ten dock OGLALA outboard. Both ships opened fire with A. A. battery. OGLALA signaled C-C possibility that mines had been dropped. Two contract tugs were hailed to haul OGLALA aft of HELENA. Submersible pumps for OGLALA were obtained from HELENA, but could not be used as no power was available. Observed one Jap plane shot down. Planes were strafing as well as bombing. Observed 4 battleships hit with bombs, fires broke out, and one battleship turned over. Enemy planes appeared to fly in groups of 6 to l0. NEVADA underway to clear channel, but apparently was struck by torpedo or mine. A minute later 2 bombs fell only one hit in the NEVADA. On 2nd attack observed bomb dropped on fwd part of PENNSYLVANIA in dry-dock. Flames appeared from two destroyers in the same dock. Observed another Jap plane fall in water. Observed

 

1578 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

 

bomb fall close to destroyers in floating dry-dock. Destroyer later caught on fire.

0800

VP-21 CPW2 search plan transmitted by radio and telephone. Experienced difficulty in communicating with Kanehoe.

[21]

 

0800

CASSIN CASSIN saw another plane come down to about 75 feet on parallel course drydock #1. Plane dropped torpedo aimed at CALIFORNIA at range 200 yards.

0800

CASTOR CASTOR 3" A. A. and 30 cal. machine guns commenced firing against enemy torpedo planes, low and close aboard, and against dive bombers. Observed one enemy torpedo plane at about 500 to 700 yards range and 500 ft. altitude due aft of ship and heading across to Ford Island with parts of fuselage shot away. Plane grounded either on Ford Island or beyond. Removed covered lighter alongside with 450 serial depth charges.

0800

DOLPHIN Machine guns and rifles manned and fired at enemy aircraft which were flying very low. Ready identification could be made by the large red balls on each wing. Report received plane had been shot down and dove into channel off pier 5.

0800

BLUE UTAH torpedoed. General alarm was sounded, and word passed throughout the ship to man battle stations and prepare to get underway immediately.

0800

RIGEL RIGEL vicinity #1 dry dock and ten ten dock strafed and bombed by 13 dive bombers from South. Altitude 600 to 100 feet.

0800

WHITNEY WHITNEY sounded general quarters. First plane passed over ship low altitude, strafing with machine guns.

0800

HELM Torpedo planes sighted approaching from direction of Barber's Point. They passed over West Loch channel and dropped torpedoes either in North Channel or across the Island. Targets for these planes appeared to he ships in berths F-9 to F-13. The planes came in low and several strafed the ship. All bullets missed the ship by a few feet. No fire was opened, since the forward machine guns, which could bear were covered with preservative grease and had to be cleaned before they could fire.

[22]

 

0800

HELM Backed engines and commenced maneuvering ship out of West Loch channel to head for entrance.

0800

JARVIS Ensign Greene OOD of JARVIS reported on bridge. Prior to this he had been directing activities around the quarterdeck. He was told to go to the after firing battery. Ensign Chiles was actively organizing the forward battery without orders. Ensign Fleece already on the director. Orders given to open fire.

0800

MUGFORD Commenced assembly of engineering plant which had been placed out of commission for yard overhaul. Connected fuel oil hose to yard line. 8,000 gallons total on board.

0800

PHOENIX Bombing attack on BBs. Plane markings, varied U. S. Swastikas, and rising sun painted on fuselage.

0800

RALEIGH Opened fire with AA battery of 3"/50 cal. 1.1" and .50 cal.  guns. Ship started to heel to port and received report that torpedo had struck #2 fireroom. #1 and 2 firerooms and forward engineroom completely flooded. Fire in #3 went out. Directed counter-flooding. As it appeared that ship would capsize, orders were given to jettison topside.

0800

RALEIGH Both planes successfully hoisted out by hand. Doctor was directed to report to SOLACE. Damage repair party was sent to capsized UTAH to cut men out of hull. Sent signal to send pontoons and lighter from alongside BALTIMORE to RALEIGH. These were delivered and  secured to port quarter and acted as outrigger. Torpedoes minus warheads were beached at Ford Island. All stanchions, boat skids, and life rafts and booms were jettisoned. Anchors were let go.

[23]

 

0801

UTAH Attacked by torpedo plane and bombing plane. Sounded General Quarters. Received severe underwater hit frame 84, portside, followed by another hit which caused ship to list 15 . Passed word "all hands on deck". Not possible to repel attack as all ammunition was in magazines and secured. 5" and 1.1 guns covered with steel housing; .50 and .30 caliber machine guns dismounted and stowed below decks. Ship covered with two layers 6 by 12 timbers. Above conditions necessitated by UTAH being used by ships as bombing target during current operations. Received bomb explosion in port aircastle.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION   1579

 

[24]

 

0801

PRUITT Reported OKLAHOMA and ARIZONA attacked from southerly direction. Number of torpedo planes attacked from southeast.

0801

NEVADA Observed enemy air attack. Sounded general quarters. Two machine guns forward and two aft had been already on continuous watch under the alert program.

0801

MUGFORD Sounded General Quarters.

0801

SUMNER Saw dense smoke rising behind Kuahuai Peninsula believed from ARIZONA, blazing oil floating down from line of BBs. Opened fire #3 gun manned and commenced firing four minutes after the attack on Navy Yard was observed, and before any other gun in the vicinity had  commenced firing. Made direct hit on and destroyed torpedo plane making approach on BBs.

0801

HELENA Opened fire. Hit by torpedo, range 500 yds., starboard side, approximately frame 75, 18 feet below water line. Four near misses from bombs received and one strafing attack with little damage. Issued gas masks and protective clothing. Once gun opposition was in full swing, Japanese plans were noted to turn away from gunfire or keep at respectable altitude.

0802

DEWEY Four .50 caliber machine guns fired at planes attacking battle ships and Ford Island.

0802

TREVER Opened fire with .50 caliber machine guns.

[25]

 

0802

NEVADA Opened fire with machine guns on enemy planes approaching on port beam. One plane brought down 100 yards off NEVADA's port quarter; one plane dropped torpedo which struck the NEVADA on port bow.

0802

PENNA. Attack by Torpedo planes from west and south, about 12 or 15. PENNA. Reported as first ship opening fire on plane. After release of torpedoes three planes came in low from port beam strafing PENNA., though not affected. Bearing of torpedo attack and one enemy plane observed to burst into flame 2000 yds on stbd. bow. Dive bombing attacks and torpedo attacks on Pearl Harbor, and dive bombing attacks on Hickam Field.

0803

CUMMINGS After Machine guns opened fire on Japanese Torpedo planes.

0803

CALIFORNIA Opened fire with machine guns and ready guns, on torpedo planes.

0803

SWAN Opened fire with 3" A. A. guns. All sea valves and hatches closed and commenced placing boilers in commission. Observed one direct hit with 3" gun plane crashed beyond drydock area. No material damage suffered.

0803

CACHALOT Enemy planes passed within range and arc of guns. Opened up with .30 and .50 caliber machine guns.

0803

NEVADA NEVADA opened fire with 5" A. A. Members of crew claim both broadside scored direct hit on torpedo plane which disintegrated in midair.

[26]

 

0804

JARVIS Machine guns opened fire.

0804

WHITNEY Commenced firing with .50 cal. AA guns. Received signal to get underway.

0805

MUGFORD Opened fire with 50 caliber MGs. Shot down Japanese plane, altitude 800 feet on the stbd. quarter, passing aft on stbd. hand. This plane had fired a torpedo at the USS OGLALA.

0806

TRACY Observed torpedo planes coming in from easterly direction and launching torpedoes at BBs at Ford Is. At first attack ship closed up as much as possible and broke out fighting equipment.

0805

NEW ORLEANS Sighted enemy torpedo planes on port quarter, flying low across stern. Rifle fire and pistol fire opened from fantail as first planes flew by to launch torpedoes at battleships. Manned 1.1 battery and machine guns aft in time to fire at three or four enemy planes.

0806

VESTAL Struck by two bombs. VESTAL moored to port side of ARIZONA B-F7. One bomb struck stbd side fr. 44. Penetrated 3 decks, exploding in GSK stores, cutting fire main and electric cables in crew space. Hold set on fire and wrecked. Another bomb struck at fr. 110 on port side, passed through the ships and fuel oil tank. Bomb explosion forward damaged practically all stores. Heat of explosion necessitated flooding fwd magazines. Material damaged consisted of 3 life rafts, 6 mooring lines, one gangway, port lenses and windows broken.

 

1580 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK

 

0805

VESTAL Opened fire, and shortly after A. A. breach jammed blast from ARIZONA cleared gun station, killing one man. Fired with machine guns on enemy planes until they were withdrawn.

[27]

Fired at torpedo plane which was seen to burst into flame and disappear over Ford Island. Following personnel damage was done: 9 dead, 7 missing, 19 in hospital.

0805

RIGEL BBs attacked from altitude 125 feet from southeast by 12 torpedo planes, 300 to 500 yard range.

0805

HELM Opened fire with after machine guns at planes over main channel, followed shortly by forward machine guns firing at passing torpedo planes.

0805

HULL #4 machine gun opened fire.

0805

CURTISS Firing with 5" local control and .50 caliber machine guns. Lighted off boilers 1, 2 and 4.

0805

UTAH Listed about 40° to port. Attacking planes strafed crew as ship was abandoned.

[28]

 

0805

SUMNER Torpedo plane passed close aboard within 100 yards of SUMNER stern on West course. Altitude 75'. Leveled off for launching torpedo at BB. Struck by direct hit from SUMNER's #3 A. A. gun, range 300 yards. Plane disintegrated in smoke and sank in fragments. Torpedo believed sunk without exploding.

0805

JARVIS 5" opened fire. #3 gun believed to be the first 5" gun in harbor to open fire.

0805

BREESE Opened fire with 3" A. A. Guns.

0805

RAMSAY Sounded general quarters and opened fire with .50 cal. And 3" guns. RAMSAY liberty party returning in MONTGOMERY boat was strafed by torpedo planes which were observed to fire 3 torpedoes into UTAH and RALEIGH.

0805

GAMBLE Mounted and commenced firing with .30 cal. machine guns on galley deck house.

0805

BLUE Opened fire with .50 caliber machine guns on Japanese planes diving on ships in harbor.

0805

CASSIN Observed HELENA open fire followed by PENNSYLVANIA.

0805

CALIFORNIA Reported two torpedoes struck port side, frame 100, making 40 ft. long hole extending from first seam below armor belt to bilge keel.

0806

PHOENIX Made radio signal to ships of sector four "prepare to get underway".

0806

PRUITT Observed Jap bomber shot down. ARIZONA listed sharply, smoke and flames.

0806

BOBOLINK and TURKEY commenced firing. Directed other boats in nest to tie up to destroyer buoys adjacent to battle rafts in order to disperse.

0807

BLUE Opened fire with 5"/38 caliber guns on Japanese planes. The engine room was ordered immediately to light off No. 2 boiler (#1 already steaming) and made all preparations for getting underway. Repair party cleared the ship for action, and made all preparations for slipping quickly from the mooring.

0807

HELM Opened fire with 5" battery. Not hits observed.

0807

HULL #l 5"/38 cal. opened fire.

[29]

 

0808

CURTISS Sent Engine Room emergency underway signal.

[30]

 

0807

PHOENIX One plane burning in water at end of pipe-line astern of berth F-8.

0808

CUMMINGS Opened fire on horizontal bombers approaching over Navy Yard from southerly direction.

0808

CONYNGHAM Opened fire with 5" gun and machine guns on attacking planes.

0808

MUGFORD USS OKLAHOMA had capsized. W. VA. listed heavily to port, ARIZONA blew up.

0809

WHITNEY Making preparations for getting underway. Supplies issued to destroyers alongside.

0809

HULL #5 gun, 5"/38 cal. Opened fire, followed by guns #2, #3, and #4.

0810

THORNTON First dive bombing attack ended.

0810

CUMMINGS Commenced preparation for getting underway in accordance general signal. Opened fire main battery on dive bombers over BBs.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1581