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
0810 |
Enemy aircraft bomb struck hangar and aircraft
parking space adjacent to VP-24 parking area. Ready plane suffered a severed
wing spar. Plane was then machine gunned and caught fire. Fire was
extinguished and plane has been repaired and is in service. Plane undergoing
structural changes not damaged and is now operating. Personnel present
mounted machine guns in available planes and opened fire on attacking planes.
One low-winged biplane flying from across hangar 54 on course about 250 lost
both wings. |
0810 |
NEW ORLEANS All batteries NEW ORLEANS except
8" battery in action. Area around berths 14-19 incl. subjected to dive
bombing attack by approximately ten enemy planes. Attack turned away by
combined fire of HONOLULU and NEW ORLEANS. Observed three bombs drop: one
falling ahead of and another falling astern of the RIGEL. These failed to
explode. Third bomb landed midway between RIGEL and NEW ORLEANS exploding and
causing damage from flying fragments. During raid yard power failed or was
cut off leaving vessel in darkness without power except auxiliary battery
power. Heavy drain of machinery raising steam for getting underway exhausted
auxiliary batteries so much that lighting was very dim and of practically no
use. All work in engineering spaces, magazines and ammunition passageways
conducted by flashlight. Hoists and guns worked by hand with consequent
reduction of volume of fire. AA directors were off ship. |
[3l] |
|
0810 |
UTAH Listed 80° to port mooring lines parting and
two minutes later ship capsized. Ship abandoned. |
0810 |
UTAH Capsized. Salvage operations undertaken
immediately in order to rescue entrapped personnel. 32 men thus rescued.
Estimated number of torpedoes to hit ship about 5; no bombs were observed to
have hit. |
[32] |
|
0810 |
PHOENIX mg battery opened fire on attacking
planes. |
0810 |
DEWEY Guns 1-2-3 and 5 5", no power on ship. |
0810 |
HELM Fire from port machine gun hit plane
approaching from South. Plane observed to veer sharply, catch on fire and
crash behind trees near Hickam Field. Damage to enemy: 1 plane shot down by
machine gun fire. |
0810 |
CASSIN Observed Japanese plane crash over tree
near hospital. Five high altitude, 12,000 ft. bombers passed overhead from
forward aft and dropped large bombs. |
0810 |
PRUITT Observed OKLAHOMA roll over. |
0810 |
GAMBLE Commenced making preparations to get
underway. Lighted off four boilers. |
0810 |
CALIFORNIA Opened fire with 5" guns on dive
bombers. |
0810 |
W. VIRGINIA Commanding Officer, Captain M. S.
Bennion mortally wounded. |
0810 |
WHITNEY Set condition affirm. Commenced firing
with 3" A. A. guns. |
0810 |
JARVIS Counted 6 or 7 torpedoes in OKLAHOMA,
NEVADA, WEST VIRGINIA, and ARIZONA also torpedoed. Apparently ARIZONA
forwarded magazine exploded. Noted OGLALA torpedoed alongside HELENA at 10-10
dock. |
0810 |
REID Opened fire with after machine guns. |
0810 |
WHITNEY No material or personnel damage. |
0810 |
PELIAS Reports formation of high altitude planes
came in from S. W. attacking battleships and Ford Island followed by another
wave from the same direction. Torpedo planes were small and carried only one
bomb. Dive bombers also small and carried but one bomb. |
0810 |
RAIL At coal docks nested with 4 minesweeps.
Opened fire with 3" A. A. 15 minutes after first bomb dropped on Pearl.
Opened fire with .30 machine guns, rifles and pistols 20 minutes after first
attack. A string of 20 bombs fell in channel astern. Shrapnel fell throughout
ship. No material or personnel damage. |
0812 |
MUGFORD OGLALA listing to port. Attack started
again. Heavy A. A. fire. |
0812 |
OUTGOING Hostilities with Japan commenced with air
raid on Pearl. |
0812 |
COMSECTOR FOUR: Sector 4 Prepare to get underway. |
0812 |
HULL All machine guns plus two automatic rifles on
the bridge and one on after deck, firing. |
1582 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
[33] |
|
0812 |
RIGEL Torpedo planes attacked from S. E. at 500
feet and attacked BBs from altitude 125 feet, range 300 to 500 yards. |
0812 |
Task Force 8 received message from CinC Air Raid
on Pearl Harbor. This is no drill. This time about coincided with expected
arrival ENTERPRISE planes at Pearl. Task Force Comdr. first concerned that
planes were assumed to be unfriendly by harbor defenses. It was not until
subsequent dispatches were received that it was realized hostilities with
Japan had begun. TF-8 operated in area South Kaula Rock for air attack should
enemy be located North or South of Oahu. No authentic information available
regarding location. Maintained combat and inner air patrols. |
0812 |
SICARD Undergoing overhaul in Navy Yard stbd side
to PRUITT Berth 18. Ship totally disabled as to main and auxiliary machinery
and gun battery. Observed Squadron of Japanese planes coming in from
Southwest, diving from 5,000 feet on Ford Island. |
0813 |
CONYNGHAM Observed attacking plane shot down by
fire from nest. Plane crashed near CURTISS. |
0813 |
HELM Passed gate vessel. |
0815 |
Aircraft in flight informed hostilities with Japan
commenced with air raid on Pearl. VP-21 directed to search sector 240-280 for
carriers. Ten miles south of Barbers Point plane 24VP-4 sighted unidentified
submarine near force consisting of INDIANAPOLIS and 4 destroyers. Submarine
made crash dive and spot marked by float lights. Completed search through 200
miles and returned to Pearl. |
0815 |
PENNA Reports NEVADA underway and about on PENNA
stbd qtr. Distance about 600 yards when dive bombing attack observed
approaching PENNA on port bow. 10 or 15 planes coming in succession just
before reaching PENNA 2/3 planes appeared to swerve to left. Number of them
dropping bombs at the NEV. 1 dive bomber dropped bomb on SHAW in floating dry
dock and set it on fire. NEV observed to slowly swing around head to port
broadside to channel, on fire forward. |
0815 |
VIREO Observed 2nd Group of enemy planes fly
toward Hickam Field. VIREO opened fire expending 22 rounds 3" A. A.
ammunition. |
0815 |
RIGEL Undergoing major repairs and conversion at
Navy Yard. No motive power available. All power etc. from yard. Air attack
began. As this vessel had no armament no offensive action could be
taken. Accordingly rescue work
was commenced on WEST VIRGINIA
personnel. About 100 men (in track of burning oil) had been blown into the water. These were rescued
first. The torpedo bombing and
machine gun [34] assaults on the WEST VIRGINIA continued while the
rescue operations progressed. One rescue boat was struck by bomb and sunk.
Crew thrown into water. Moored B-13 Navy Yard undergoing major repairs.
Services from Navy Yard. |
0815 |
SICARD Set condition of readiness
"AFFIRM". 2 fire parties were formed fore and aft. |
0815 |
MUGFORD Shot down one enemy plane bearing astern
making approach on battleship at altitude 20 feet off water. Plane crashed on
Ford Island aflame, torpedo not launched. |
0815 |
PHOENIX A. A. Battery opened fire. |
0815 |
CASSIN Observed another group of 6 high altitude
bombers passed overhead and let loose bombs. |
0815 |
PRUITT Observed 12 bombing planes in close
"V" formation bombed (horizontal attack) from 10,000 feet from
Southwest. |
0815 |
JARVIS All guns and machine guns of JARVIS in
action. MUGFORD noted to be delivering high volume of fire. |
0815 |
SUMNER Checked fire. |
0817 |
CINCPAC Directed Compatwing TWO locate enemy
force. |
0817 |
HELM Sighted conning tower of submarine to right
of channel, Northward of buoy #1. Gave orders to open fire, pointer fire, but
submarine submerged before guns could get on. |
0818 |
CONYNGHAM Opened fire with remaining 5" guns
at horizontal bombers passing overhead in direction of Schofield Barracks. |
0820 |
TRACY Sent men to CUMMINGS to assist batteries and
approximate 15 men to PENNA to fight fires. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1583
0820 |
HELM Opened fire on submarine off Tripod Reef, no
hits observed. Submarine appeared to be touching bottom on ledge of reef, and
in line of breakers. Steering motor short circuited bridge lost steering
control. |
[35] |
|
0820 |
SICARD Was manned. 2 .30 cal. M. G. s. Bombers
began to attack ships at 1010 dock and battleships in vicinity of Ford
Island. SICARD hits were observed on planes but no apparent damage was done. |
0820 |
VESTAL Observed torpedo pass astern and hit
ARIZONA. Simultaneously ARIZONA received bomb hit followed by her forward
magazine exploding. Latter started fires aft and amidship of VESTAL. Shortly
after that, ARIZ observed to be settling and fuel oil between VESTAL and ARIZ
ignited. |
0820 |
PYRO Opened fire on planes. |
0820 |
MUGFORD Opened fire with 5"/38 battery. |
0820 |
SUMNER Ship ready for getting underway. Members of
broadside gun crew and available engineers were armed with rifles and BAR's
and stationed in upper works to act as snipers. |
0820 |
CALIFORNIA Torpedo struck port side, frame 47,
making an irregular hole 27 x 32 ft., the top of which is 6 ft. below bottom
of armor belt. |
0820 |
SOLACE Reports boat loads of casualties began to
arrive. By this time all hospital supplies and facilities had been prepared
for maximum service. |
0820 |
NEVADA Attack slackened. |
0820 |
REID Opened fire with after 5"/38 caliber on
high altitude and dive bombers. |
0820 |
WHITNEY Observed Japanese plane fall in flames
north channel vicinity X-5. |
0820 |
CUMMINGS Lull in air attack; ceased firing. Lack
of DC power prevented use of director. Sound powered telephones and local
control used. |
0820 |
HULBERT Claims share in bringing down a bomber. |
0821 |
HELM Observed torpedo pass close under stern on a
northerly course. |
0825 |
TRACY Ready to open fire with 3 .30 caliber. |
0825 |
MUGFORD Signal received that parachutists or
wrecked pilots were landing in Hickam Field. |
0825 |
CALIFORNIA Opened fire on horizontal bombers at
10,000 ft. with 5" guns. |
0825 |
BREESE Received signal to get underway but being
inside nest could not do so. |
[36] |
|
0825 |
Outgoing To COMTASKGR 12 & COMTASKGR 8: Report
position. |
0825 |
SUMNER Opened fire on ten dive bombers attacking
Navy Yard Dry Dock. These planes approached from cloud bank in Southeast.
Hear terrific explosion in Navy Yard-vicinity of Dry Dock followed by dense
cloud of smoke. Dive bomber passed 300 yards from SUMNER and DD's HULBERT and
THORNTON, tail of plane ignited. Plane turned southward and disappeared over
Halawa district. Observed six horizontal bombers approaching from southeast
at 8,000 feet. Planes circled and approached Ford Island from Southwest and
dropped bombs over DD's. Planes then circled to Southeast. One plane left
it's formation, turned towards Navy Yard loosing altitude rapidly, passed
SUMNER at 400 feet altitude range 600 yards, was fired on by SUMNER. When
over center Southeast Loch, plane began smoking and was lost in thick smoke
over Navy Yard. It was a two-seater monoplane, gunner in rear seat protected
by shield, orange disc on side just abaft rear cockpit. |
0825 |
CURTISS Attacked by bombers. |
0826 |
Planes crossing low ahead of nest to Northeast
were taken under fire by CONYNGHAM and nest. One burst into flames and
exploded in clump of trees in Aiea Hights. |
0826 |
BREESE Received report submarine was in harbor. |
0827 |
SICARD Cease firing, expended 300 rounds .30 cal.
M. G. ammunition. |
0830 |
PENNSY Lighted fires under #4 boiler. |
0830 |
CONYNGHAM Reports another plane diving toward Ford
Island from Northeast shot down by combined fire of the nest. |
1584 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
0830 |
PENNA Reports about 5 high bombing attacks obs. to
have passed over PENNA. One from port bow one from ahead one from ahead to
stbd 2 from astern. Altitude about 2000 feet. |
0830 |
VIREO Brought down one enemy plane which landed in
vicinity of Hickam Field. 400 rounds of .30 cal. M. G. ammunition expended.
One personnel casualty to PRICE, Radioman, on telephone watch astern of
vessel. PRICE returned to duty 10 December. No damage to vessel. Made ready
to get underway. |
0830 |
VESTAL prepared to get underway. |
0830 |
MUGFORD Five enemy planes in V formation passed
directly over head, making horizontal bombing attack. |
[37] |
|
0830 |
SUMNER Checked fire. |
0830 |
RIGEL 15 Heavy bombers in 3-V formations 8 to 10
thousand feet from S. E. bombed BB's. |
0830 |
WHITNEY Issued ammunition and ordnance stores to
destroyers along side. Secured steam to destroyers. |
0820 |
HELM Fired at enemy plane with forward machine
guns. May have hit plane. |
0830 |
NEVADA Heavy bombing attack received. |
0830 |
HULL Two Vee's high level bombers (10,000 feet)
directly overhead seen intermittently through the clouds. Opened fire with
all guns. Formations broke up and dropped their bombs in cane field. |
0830 |
CALIFORNIA Opened fire on Dive bombers with
T5" and forward machine guns; shot down one enemy dive bomber which
crashed in flames. |
0830 |
BREESE Sighted conning towers of two submarines in
North channel but could not open fire because of interior berth. Observed
MONAGHAN proceed down channel at full speed to ram leading submarine which
had just fired torpedo at USS CURTISS but missed, USS MONAGHAN dropped 2
depth charges and submarine, about 250 ton type arose upside down and sank. |
0830 |
ZANE Sighted strange submarine 200 yards astern of
MEDUSA moored in K-23. Guns would not bear as ZANE was inboard ship. |
0830 |
CASSIN Received signal from PENNSYLVANIA, Senior
destroyer officer report on board. |
0830 |
HENLEY underway from buoy X-11, Large bomb struck
water 150 yards from port bow. Received signal "submarine in
harbor". MACDONOUGH directly ahead made depth charge attack and cleared
at high speed. HENLEY was third ship in sortie. After rounding Hospital
Point, subjected to strafing attack by light bomber, coming up from astern
and showing five distinct sources of machine gun fire from plane as plane
passed ship. It was seen to crash offshore in a few minutes. Another light
bomber approached from starboard at 2,000 feet and was taken under fire with
another destroyer. Close burst forces plane to dive and it crashed into sea. |
0830 |
DOWNES Open fire with 5-inch. on blocks. DOWNES
struck on after deck house by bombs. |
0830 |
RIGEL Captain returned on board. Bomb struck
astern and midway between piers 13 & 14. 150 small holes were blown into
port quarter RIGEL. Above waterline. |
[38] |
|
0835 |
CURTISS Ready to get underway. Sighted submarine
periscope on starboard quarter, distance 700 yards. Opened fire on submarine. |
[39] |
|
0830 |
REID First group of enemy planes taken under fire
of REID with forward 5" and .50 caliber machine guns. |
0830 |
Outgoing To NPL RDO SAN DIEGO & NPM RDO
WAILUPE: I must have instantaneous relay for my dispatches. |
0830 |
COM-14 To NAS Pearl: Hostile Japanese air attack X
Hickam Field bombed X stay clear this area as long as gas permits X keep in
contact this station. |
0832 |
CALIFORNIA Reported one enemy plane shot down over
Ford Island. |
0832 |
SICARD Observed 4 flights horizontal bombers
attacking battleships, followed by 8 torpedo bombers. OKLAHOMA struck by
several torpedoes, took heavy list to Stbd and capsized. ARIZONA struck by
torpedoes and heavy bomb. |
0832 |
PYRO Observed enemy planes crash and burst into
flame towards Barbers Point. Pilots bailed out. Observed damage to ship which
consisted of broken steam line; repaired by ship's force. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1585
0835 |
SICARD Sent working party 20 men to CUMMINGS to
handle ammunition, and 4 gunner's mates to NEW ORLEANS to assist her battery.
10 men previously detailed to PENNSYLVANIA to assist damage control. |
0835 |
BOBOLINK Moved out of next and to first buoy.
Observed Japanese plane crash near Hickam Field. Believe it result of
minesweeper firing. |
0835 |
PREBLE Reports first phase of attack completed. |
0836 |
COM-14
To Ships present: Send boats to Ford Island. |
0838 |
MUGFORD W. V. burning. ARIZONA on fire. Tugs
trying to pull overturned OKLA clear. USS VESTAL clearing NEVADA. |
0840 |
CALIFORNIA Shaken by 4 near bomb hits and
splintered considerably by fragments. |
[40] |
|
0840 |
CURTISS Submarine surfaced and fired one torpedo
up North Channel toward destroyers. Conning tower hit twice by gun #3. |
0843 |
CURTIS Ceased firing on submarine and observed
MONAGHAN drop 2 depth charges. Air bubbles and slick appeared. |
[41] |
|
0840 |
CUMMINGS Opened fire to repel strafing attack.
Glide bomber observed to veer away from ship with smoke trailing, passed over
new boiler shop and disappeared in smoke. |
0840 |
JARVIS Noted NEVADA underway and standing out.
Dive bombed, hit several times and beached. SHAW hit and caught on fire in
drydock. Two destroyers in drydock with PENNSYLVANIA hit. |
0840 |
TREVER Ready for getting underway. TREVER could
not clear because other ships astern were clearing buoys D-3 and D-4. Enemy
plane brought down vicinity of Pearl City. Second plane brought down 200
yards off Beckoning Point. |
0842 |
MUGFORD USS VESTAL clear of NEVADA. |
0845 |
PHOENIX Ship ready to get underway. |
0845 |
SICARD Observed attack broken off. |
0845 |
VESTAL Observed ARIZONA quarterdeck awash. With no
steering gear VESTAL got underway while tug pulled her bow away from ARIZONA.
Starting to list to Stbd VESTAL was maneuvered into position with South end
of McGrews Point bearing 30
distance 910 yds. |
0845 |
MUGFORD Executed signal to get underway to Task
Forces One and Two. Tugs pulled OGLALA clear of HELENA. |
0845 |
CALIFORNIA Commander Stone, executive officer,
arrived and assumed command of CALIFORNIA. Combatfor returned on board. |
0845 |
CACHALOT Dive bomb and strafing attacks made by
enemy. |
0845 |
HULL Second attack. All attacks except one was
broken up. One formation of three planes continued on. Two of these were shot
down; one by USS DOBBIN and one by the next of ships. Two bombs landed astern
of next, close to side of DOBBIN. |
0845 |
CASTOR Ready to get underway. |
0847 |
BLUE Underway upon execution of signal to get
underway from berth X-7. Maintained fire on enemy planes with main battery
and machine guns while steaming out of harbor. Four planes fired on with main
battery were later seen to go down in smoke. It is claimed that two of these
planes were definitely shot down by this vessel. One was seen to crash in
field on Waipio Pena., and the second crashed into crane on stern of USS
CURTISS. Two planes that dove over the ship were fired on by the .50 caliber
machine guns. It is claimed that one of these planes, seen to crash near Pan
American Dock, was shot down by this vessel. |
[42] |
|
0850 |
MUGFORD W. VA. listed heavily to port. |
0850 |
ZANE Reports MONAGHAN approached and depth charged
submarine. Enemy plane brought down flying over nest, struck deperming
station. |
0850 |
SUMNER Dispatched ship's boats to Ford Island to
assist in hauling ammunition. |
0850 |
DOWNES Hit again by bombs and set on fire.
Abandoned ship. |
0850 |
COMDESFLOT 1 To DESFLOT 1: Desdiv TWO establish
Offshore patrol. |
0851 |
MUGFORD Executed signal to get underway and sortie
according to plan E-S. |
0851 |
COM-14 To Cincpac. Submarine reported in Pearl
Harbor for Sector Comdrs. |
0854 |
MUGFORD Attack started again from North. |
0855 |
CONYNGHAM Fired at plane strafing ahead and
astern. |
1586 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
0855 |
CONYNGHAM Fired at plane strafing ahead and
astern. |
0855 - 1017 |
Underway from Buoy D-3 Middle Loch RAMSEY, BREESE,
GAMBLE, and MONTGOMERY. Opened fire with AA. |
0855 |
MUGFORD NEVADA underway. Dense smoke over Ford
Island. A tanker was towed clear of Ford Island. |
0855 |
PRUITT Observed about 10 planes made high altitude
horizontal bombing. |
0855 |
WHITNEY Observed second air attack by Japanese
bombing planes. |
0855 |
USS RALPH TALBOT Was moored bow to southward to
buoy X-11 with PATTERSON to port and HENLEY to starboard. |
0855 |
RAMSAY Underway proceeding out of harbor. Believe
RAMSAY is responsible for shooting down plane with .50 cal. Assumed
anti-submarine patrol on clearing channel. |
0857 |
CTF 9 To all ships: Enemy submarine in North
Channel. |
[43] |
|
0859 |
UNKNOWN To Cincpac: Ten aircraft approaching Pearl
Harbor from Southwest. |
0900 |
TRACY Reports high altitude bombers passed
overhead in several waves. One bomb fell in slip between stern of RIGEL and
CUMMINGS at Berth 15. |
0900 |
MUGFORD Attack started again from the South. Army
planes taking off from HICKAM FIELD. |
0900 |
RIGEL Executive Officer returned on board. Traffic
congestion delayed all hands. The one exception to all hands was Lt. H. E.
Morgan who did not return until 0800 next morning. Lt. Morgan's behavior is
being investigated. |
0900 |
SICARD Observed dive bombers from S. E. attack
ships moored to Navy Yard docks, followed by waves of dive and horizontal
bombers on ships at Ford Island and docks. |
0900 |
OGLALA Approaching 40° list to port. Ordered all
hands abandon ship. Only gun crews and Cominbatfor remained. |
0900 |
PHOENIX Formation of 11 planes passed over fleet
on heading 070. Approximate altitude l0,000 feet. Planes appeared to be
painted silver, Expended fifty rounds of 5". No apparent damage to
planes. There were two flights of this nature. Time of second cannot be
approximated. Expended fifty rounds of 5". |
0900 |
HONOLULU Enemy bomber sighted flying directly
towards this ship from direction Merry Point with an altitude of 1,000 feet.
Was seen to swerve to its left, pass over the Navy Yard, smoking, losing
altitude and appeared to crash near Naval Hospital. This plane was under the
fire of several ships. Including the port 5" and machine gun batteries
of the HONOLULU. Damage to enemy observed, one torpedo plane shot down
between berth 21, Submarine Base, one torpedo plane shot down between berth
21 BB. (Note: Damage listed above is at unknown times.) |
0900 |
TAUTOG Observed planes approaching in direction
Hickam Field high in southwest and mostly obscured by clouds. App. 18 planes
turned left over Hickam Field and made dive bombing attacks on ships in yard.
Dive appeared slow and bombs released were very low. One plane observed out
of control in flames. Scattered enemy planes ob served until 1130. Most dive
bombers appeared to drop two bombs each. |
[44] |
|
0900 |
CALIFORNIA One bomb, possibly 15" projectile
with tale vanes, struck CALIFORNIA abreast casemate one, frame 59, penetrated
to second deck and exploded rupturing forward and after bulkheads of A-611
and overhead into A-705. Armored hatch to machine shop badly sprung and
couldn't be closed, resulting in serious fire. |
0900 |
BREESE Projectile from BREESE 3" AA battery
struck dive bomber which had just attacked CURTISS. Forward section of plane
with motor landed on North side of Waipio Peninsula. |
0900 |
RALPH TALBOT Underway. While enroute to entrance
expended 150 rounds 5"/38 cal. and 1500 rounds .50 cal. Observed two
planes crash and another start to smoke badly. Two enemy planes dove low over
bridge and was hit by our .50 cal. machine guns. Plane crashed along shore
Pearl City abeam of us. Used after 5" guns to fire on plane at tacking
CURTISS. |
0900 |
DEWEY Second wave attack started by light bombers
lasting 10 minutes under fire by DEWEY throughout attack. |
0900 |
PATTERSON Underway and stood out of harbor. No
damage sustained by PATTERSON. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1587
0900 |
SOLACE Ship underway and shifted from Berth X4 to
Berth X13. No material or personnel damage to ship proper. |
0900 |
BOBOLINK Observed suspicious sign of Japanese
submarine and signaled to destroyers, but signal apparently not seen. |
0900 |
BOBOLINK Observed three flights of high altitude
bombers approaching from due south to north. 7 planes in each flight,
altitude about 17,000 feet. One flight dropped bombs on Hickam, second flight
passed directly over coal docks and dropped bombs further up in yard; third
flight passed over West Loch, one plane dropping bombs near entrance while
others maintained course and dropped them beyond Ford Island. |
0900 |
RALEIGH Dive bomber attack came in which was met
with warm reception. One bomb hit ship a glancing blow going through
carpenter shop and oil tank, piercing the skin below water line and finally
detonating on bottom of harbor. Plane machine gunned ship also. Steam raised
in 3 and 4 firerooms and pumps started. Five bombing planes under fire were
observed to crash close aboard. |
0900 |
HONOLULU 5 high altitude bombers 12 to 15,000 feet
appeared. 5 high altitude bombers from South, 12 to 15,000 feet. All bombed
Pearl Harbor and Ford Island Area. |
0900 |
RIGEL 15 dive bombers 6 to 10 thousand feet from
N. attacked DDs and NEVADA. |
[45] |
|
0900 |
SOLACE Got underway and shifted from berth X-4,
near DOBBIN and destroyers to berth X-13 in the clear. Made boat trips to
WEST VIRGINIA to bring back casualties. |
0900 |
DOBBIN Fired upon enemy plane headed astern of
ship. Plane crashed upon trees in Navy Yard. |
0900 |
OGLALA Capsized alongside 10-10 dock. |
0900 - 0915 |
PHOENIX Dive bombing attack on ships berth
northern side of Ford Island. Attack was made at about 30 angle, opposed with AA and MG
batteries. Expended 20 rounds of 5". One plane disintegrated by DD fire. |
0900 - 0930 |
PHOENIX Effected periodic fire on planes
delivering low-level bombing attack on navy yard and ships berth there. |
0901 |
CUMMINGS Observed twelve scattered planes over
Ford Island; air raid resumed. Opened fire with main battery on horizontal
bombers approaching over Navy Yard industrial section. |
0902 |
MUGFORD Formation of planes sighted to South.
Decks of ARIZONA and W. VA. level with water. Dense smoke pouring from
NEVADA. |
0903 |
DOLPHIN Reports another attack from higher
altitude. |
0903 |
Outgoing To MIDWAY: Pearl Harbor bombed no
indication direction attack take off attempt locate Japanese Forces. |
0903 |
Outgoing To WAKE: Pearl bombed by Japanese be on
alert. |
[46] |
|
0905 |
CURTISS Obs. 1 of 3 planes pulling out of dive was
hit by CURTISS and crashed into #1 crane. Tank exploded and plane burned on
Boat Deck. |
[47] |
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS OCCURRING DURING JAPANESE AIR
RAID ON 7 DECEMBER |
0905 |
SUMNER Fired on wave of dive bombers approaching
Navy Yard. Dive bombers also attacked HICKAM FIELD and BB. No hits, when
firing. On latter planes. Observed light dive bomber with conspicuous red
tail zig-zag over Navy Yard as if observing casualties at end of phase. |
0905 |
TRACY Attack by approximately 10 dive bombers from
direction of the sun, which indicated drydock as objective. Group of 6, 3,
and 9 planes observed at altitude of 8 to 10,000 feet. Bomb seen to fall
between berths 13 and 15 in slip. TRACY gig damaged by fragmentation; no
casualties. |
0905 |
PREBLE Observed about 30 dive bombers make second
attack in twin-motored monoplanes. Observed one bomb fall in slip 25 yards on
starboard quarter. Observed a bomb fall astern of HONOLULU in berth B-21.
Observed numerous bombs fall in vicinity of drydock area. |
0905 |
WHITNEY Observed one Japanese plane fall down in
flames on hilltop, bearing northeast, true. |
0906 |
PENNSYLVANIA The second attack coming in slightly
on port bow dropped bombs on ships in drydock. One heavy bomb hit the
destroyer DOWNES in dock ahead of PENNSYLVANIA, and one hit dock
approximately abreast frame 20 while one hit the boat deck of the PENNSYL- |
1588 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
|
VANIA a few feet abaft gun #7. This bomb passed
through boat deck and detonated in #5 gun #9 casemate. Fifth bomb believed to
have struck water outside of dock. Observed plane crash in hospital grounds
Observers claim to have destroyed six enemy planes. Consider two hit by
PENNSYLVANIA. |
[48] |
|
0906 |
MUGFORD Japanese planes diving on Ford Island from
southeast. NEVADA standing down south channel. |
0907 |
PRUITT Observed strafing and light bombing attack,
plus heavy horizontal bombing attack from about 10,000 feet made on ships and
Ford Island. One bomb hit close to stern of RIGEL. |
0907 |
PENNSYLVANIA Bomb hit on dock and cut yard power,
subsequently power on the ship was taken from storage batteries, meanwhile,
firemain pressure cut off. |
0907 |
OUTGOING ALL HANDS: Cease firing on B-17's
attempting to land at Hickam. |
0908 |
CONYNGHAM Reports one plane attacking on starboard
bow shot down by nest and crashed in Pearl City. |
0908 |
Com 14 to ASP Do not fire on our planes coming in. |
0908 |
NEVADA Attack slackened. |
0909 |
MUGFORD Bomb dropped some 400 yards on MUGFORD
port bow. Ship in repair basin hit. |
[49] |
|
0910 |
PERRY Mine Division FOUR underway at intervals and
stood out to take off shore patrol duty. |
0910 |
SecNav to Alnav Execute WPL FORTY SIX against
Japan. |
0910 |
Dive bombers attacked ships at Pier 19; bombs fell
in water ahead and astern within 2.5 yds. of CUMMINGS. |
0910 |
DOBBIN Attacked by 3 enemy planes. 3 bombs dropped
all near misses. Fragments struck stern of ship injuring #4 3" AA gun
crew. 3 killed, 2 injured. Damage. Small holes through decks, bulkheads,
booms, #1 MWB hull damaged beyond repair. |
0910 |
BLUE Passed channel entrance buoys, and set course
120 true.: Proceeded to sector three to patrol station. |
0910 |
RIGEL 10 to 12 dive bombers from S. attacked ships
in Repair Basin with bombs and mach. guns. |
0910 |
PHOENIX Second bombing attack on BB. Expended
sixty rounds of 5". After planes came out of dive and turned towards
berth C-6, planes were brought under fire of MG battery. |
0910 |
VESTAL Anchored in 35' of water. Soundings and
draft readings showed ship settling at and listing to stbd. Draft aft
increased to 27' list 6 1/2°. CO VESTAL decided to ground ship. |
[50] |
|
0912 |
CURTISS Reports group of planes under heavy fire
attacked. During attack one bomb hit stern mooring buoy. 1 fell short, one
over one hit ship starboard side of boat deck, passed through Carpenter Shop
and Radio Repair Shop, entered Hangar and detonated on Main Deck. Explosion
destroyed bulk heads, deck. etc., within radius of 30 feet. Equipment
destroyed in Hangar. Handling Room etc. One plane shot down 1000 yards on
port bow and l 500 yards on port beam. Another plane shot on port beam
landing in water off Pan-Air dock. One plane reported crashed in cane field
astern and one forward of ship. |
[51] |
|
0910 |
CONYNGHAM Opened fire on horizontal bombers
approaching from ahead and from direction of Schofield. |
0910 |
THORNTON Second wave dive bombing attack commenced
and ended at 0917. Throughout the entire period there was horizontal bombing
in various Pearl Harbor areas. |
0911 |
MUGFORD Horizontal Japanese bombers passed
overhead. |
0912 |
PYRO Observed dive bombers approach from port bow,
altitude 5,000 feet and release bombs. Bombs landed on concrete dock 12' from
ship's side amidships. Penetrated dock exploding underneath and jarring ship. |
0912 |
MUGFORD Heavy black smoke coming from SHAW in
floating drydock. |
0913 |
MUGFORD NEVADA stopped south side of south
channel. |
0913 |
PREBLE Attack completed. No damage. No casualties
sustained by this ship. |
0915 |
Large explosion on DOWNES. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1589
[52] |
|
0915 |
HELM Small enemy fighter approached ship from
astern in medium glide and dropped two bombs, which exploded in water about
50 yards off port bow and 20 yards of starboard bow. After machine guns
opened fire but did not hit plane. Shock shorted relay to steering (which had
just been repaired) and damaged gyro rotor. Choke coils tubes and resistors
in sound gear burned out, echo ranging inoperative. Seams below waterline on
starboard side forward sprung. A-15, A-301 A-401, and A-402 flooded. These
compartments closed off and pumped out during afternoon. FS smoke generators
jumped track, breaking air line connection. |
0915 |
Captain Bunkley returned to CALIFORNIA and assumed
command. |
0915 |
NEVADA 5" A. A. battery fired on enemy planes
to eastward. NEVADA suffered at least 6 bomb hits and one torpedo hit. |
0915 |
MUGFORD Thick black smoke coming from drydock. |
0915 |
TRACY Commanding Officer returned aboard and found
2 .50 cal. mach. guns mounted and ready. 2 dive bombers attacked out of the
sun. 1 plane pulling out over sub base and flying low over building 155
crashed in flames in vicinity of hospital point after salvo by CUMMINGS.
Plane appeared to be a type 95 dive bomber, planes appeared to be at about
3,000 feet to seaward of Hickam, were 18 planes in formation type V. |
[53] |
|
0917 |
PRUITT Observed low flying pursuit planes strafing
with machine gun fire on ships moored in the vicinity of Berth 18. Observers
on this ship believe many high altitude horizontal bombs either failed to
explode or landed outside the harbor area where they could not be observed.
An indeterminate number of fighters took part in the raid, with approximately
30 bombers. Approaches were made on a steady course and all horizontal
bombing was made in close formation at about 10,000 feet. The four cruisers
and light minelayers in the Navy Yard were strafed several times by low
flying planes but not a single bomb appeared to have been aimed at those
ships. Small caliber fire of minelayers brought down one Japanese plane. |
0917 |
BREESE Cleared nest and proceeded down channel. |
0920 |
CUMMINGS fired on a light bomber. Plane observed
smoking heavily as it flew out of sight to southwestward. |
0920 |
HONOLULU Observed low winged dive bombers from
South to Southeast, 400 feet pullout. Two bombers bombed industrial and
drydock areas. One bomb, (clearly visible on its descent, 250 lbs.), passed
through edge of concrete dock, angle of descent 45 , and exploded underwater
between ship and dock. |
0920 |
Damage to HONOLULU: Oil tanks various, decks
bulged in magazines, various leaks sprung and decks slightly buckled, power
lease to turret #2 grounded, turret #1 partially grounded, mercury thrown out
of gyros, fore and aft, rangefinders, main battery deranged fore and aft. |
[54] |
|
0920 |
More Japanese planes from northwest. |
0920 |
CONYNGHAM Opened fire on plane diving from port
side of nest. No personnel or material damage. |
0920 |
PENNSYLVANIA Flooding of drydock commenced. Both
destroyers heavily on fire. Fire being transmitted to fire on water and dock
which set fire to paint on starboard side of PENNSYLVANIA. No hose available
for fighting fire on DOWNES, Available hose being used on CASSIN. |
0921 |
Outgoing ALL HANDS: Reported that enemy ships have
red dot on bottom of fuselage. |
0921 |
Outgoing COMBATFOR: To ALL SHIPS PRESENT: Get
underway immediately. |
0923 |
MUGFORD PATTERSON standing out. |
0923 |
Outgoing COMBATFOR to COMCRUBATFOR: Cruisers
proceed as soon as possible. Landline Send over boats to capsized battleship. |
[55] |
|
0924 |
Received COMSUBSCOFOR TO COMSUBDIV 43: Assume
service ammunition readiness condition ONE be prepared to attack on
information furnished later. |
0924 |
Received Com 14: All planes approaching from Fox
George and Easy. |
0925 |
CALIFORNIA plane 205 capsized and sunk while being
removed to avoid gasoline fire hazard. |
1590 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
0925 |
WASMUTH Reports second phase of attack as glide
bombers and torpedo planes approached from westerly direction. Scored hits on
several planes and shot down one plane which crashed on Waipio Peninsula near
Middle Loch. This plane should be credited to James Patrick Hannon, seaman
first, class, U. S. Navy. |
0925 |
GAMBLE One Japanese plane shot down by AA fire,
falling in water on port beam about 1,000 yards away from ship. Believed shot
down by ROBERTS, W. L., BM-2c, USS GAMBLE port machine gunner (#2 machine
gun) .50 cal., and JOOS, H. W., GM-3c., USS GAMBLE (#1 machine gun) starboard. |
0925 |
MUGFORD White smoke pouring from amidship on
ARIZONA. |
[56] |
|
0926 |
Outgoing CTF 1: Battleships remain in port until
further orders. Send all destroyers to sea and destroy enemy submarines.
Follow them by all cruisers to join Halsey. |
|
Unknown Fire at will |
0927 |
Received COM 14: Aircraft coming from Barbers
Point 20 or 30 miles. Flash: Enemy planes appear to be massing around Easy.
Enemy planes coming from Wheeler Field. |
0927 |
CURTISS After engine room out of commission and
evacuated. |
0927 |
Received RDO SAN FRANCISCO to AS: USAT CYNTHIA
OLSEN sent distress reports enemy submarine Lat. 33 R 42 N Long 145 R 29 W. |
0928 |
MUGFORD Shot down enemy plane after it pulled out
from dive on port bow. Altitude 200 feet. With forward 50 caliber M. G. The
plane was a dive bomber. |
0928 |
Received COMAIRBATFOR TO CINCPAC: 220P planes to
arrive Pearl about 0820. |
0930 |
MUGFORD OGLALA going over to port. Personnel
abandoned ship and getting on dock. |
[57] |
|
0930 |
Received COMSUBSCOFOR TO THRESHER, GUDGEON &
LITCHFIELD: Assume service ammunition readiness condition ONE x remain in
present position x report position. |
0930 |
Received CURTISS TO CINCPAC: Unable to sortie
because of damage. After OGLALA sank her crew were pooled out and sent to
various units of the Fleet to assist ships in maintaining their batteries. |
0930 |
GAMBLE Got underway and cleared mooring buoy.
Reports Division commenced getting underway. USS BREESE underway. |
0930 |
Enemy planes strafed CASTOR and NEOSHO. Detailed
men to handle NEOSHO lines astern of CASTOR. |
0930 |
TREVER Underway, standing out of entrance.
Observed PERRY fire at submarine and MONAGHAN ramming and dropping depth
charge. |
0930 |
TENNESSEE Observed enemy planes coming in on port
beam. WEST VIRGINIA gangway still burning. |
0930 |
HELM Shifted steering motor power to diesel
generator; regained bridge control of steering. |
[58] |
|
0930 |
CALIFORNIA Fire broke out on main deck, starboard
side of "F" Division compartment and casemates 3, 5, and 7. |
0930 |
BREESE Lookout reported periscope off Coal Docks but
could not be observed from bridge, or picked up by supersonics. |
0930 |
DOBBIN Reports attacks appeared to have been
discontinued. |
0930 |
WHITNEY Reports second air attack completed. |
0930 |
PENNSYLVANIA Explosions on destroyers commenced,
in floating drydock ahead of PENNSYLVANIA. |
0932 |
WASMUTH Underway following TREVER on orders from
Lt. Comdr. L. M. LeHardy, CO ZANE and S. O. P. Mindiv 4. |
0933 |
Received COM 14: Flash: planes coming in from
George. |
0935 |
Received RALEIGH TO CINCPAC: Two fire rooms and
engine room and stern compt. flooded x damage under control at present x
unable to get underway. |
[59] |
|
0935 |
Received CHICAGO TO CRUSCOFOR: Japanese submarines
reported inside and outside Pearl. |
0935 |
Received ARMY HDQTRS: Flash: Fishing boat l mile
off Manakuli. |
0936 |
Received CPW 2 TO CPW 1: We are being attacked by
15 Japanese planes. |
0936 |
CURTISS Fire under control. |
0937 |
WASMUTH Lieut. J. W. Leverton, Jr., USN, Executive
Officer, reported aboard and relieved Lt. (jg) J. R. Grey, USN, who had been
in command until this time. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1591
0937 |
Received ARMY HDQTRS REPORTS: Friendly aircraft
coming from toward Barbers Point 20 or 30 planes. |
0937 |
GAMBLE Japanese planes attacked near main channel
entrance. |
0937 |
MUGFORD Explosion on destroyer ahead of the USS
PENNSYLVANIA in drydock. |
0938 |
MUGFORD Japanese subs reported inside and outside
of Pearl Harbor. |
[60] |
|
0940 |
WASMUTH Lt. Comdr. D. M. Agnew, USN, CO USS TREVER
reported aboard. Proceeded out of Pearl Harbor and tool up patrol off
entrance. |
0940 |
BAGLEY Ship underway from dock. Material Damage:
Broken windows and light globes and glasses on reduction gears causing loss
of lubricating oil. Personnel damage 4 men slightly injured. |
0940 |
TENNESSEE Reports wounded being removed from the
WEST VIRGINIA. OKLAHOMA upside down. Bow blown away on ARIZONA. Destroyers
getting underway on other side of Ford Island. Fire either on ARGONNE or
dock. Air attack coming in on starboard bow. WEST VIRGINIA on fire from
turret 1 to bow. Flames up as high as foretop. Fire on port quarter (oil on
water). |
0940 |
BAGLEY Underway from dock and proceeded around
north side Ford Island under belief that other channel was blocked. Because
of defective bilge keel, ship was ordered to patrol off shore area and did
not accompany Task Force 8. No damage to ship. |
0940 |
NEVADA
Grounded off Hospital Point. |
0941 |
PENNSYLVANIA
Observed warheads on DOWNES explode covering area with debris. Section of
torpedo tube, weighing about 1,000 lbs. Landed on PENNSYLVANIA forecastle.
Fire brought under control before serious damage resulted. CASSIN rolled over
on DOWNES. It was noted by everyone participating in action that after an
hour or more heavy thirst was experienced requiring considerable drinking
water. This confirms the necessity of having water at all battle stations. |
[61] |
|
0942 |
BREESE
Cleared channel entrance with degaussing gear cut in and took station as
offshore patrol in section 3. |
0942 |
Received
COM 14 to ASP & NAVSHORE ACTIVITIES: brief concentrations reported 25
miles south by south east of Barbers Point x not definite. |
0942 |
MUGFORD
BAGLEY underway. |
0943 |
TERN
Underway from alongside dock to pick up survivors in harbor. Received 47
survivors. |
0945 |
DEWEY
Third wave of attack started by dive bombers. DOBBIN and Desdiv One were
target with 3 or 4 planes attacking. One bomb hit close aboard starboard
quarter and one hit water between HULL and DEWEY astern. No damage. Guns 1
and 2 firing when not blanked by DOBBIN. It is believed that Desdiv ONE
destroyed two planes. Ammunition expended; 76 rounds 5", 1300 rounds .50
cal. |
0945 |
CACHALOT
Joined in fire against enemy bombers. No damage received. Nearest enemy bomb
dropped 20' off starboard quarter and did not explode. Nearest torpedo passed
100 yards astern. |
0945 |
MUGFORD
OGLALA capsized to port. |
0946 |
MUGFORD
Japanese planes in from SW low. |
[62] |
|
0947 |
MUGFORD
HONOLULU underway. |
0948 |
TENNESSEE
Observed planes coming in on starboard bow; did not know whether enemy or
friendly. Ship will not get underway until further orders Engineering
Department, stand by. Destroyer, from Navy Yard, getting underway.
Unidentified ship in Pearl Harbor down by stern. |
0950 |
VESTAL
Grounded. |
0950 |
BLUE
Good sound contact on submarine. Maneuvered to attack and dropped four depth
charges. Regained sound contact on same submarine. Dropped two depth charges.
Investigated and observed large oil slick and air bubbles rising to surface.
It is felt that this submarine was definitely sunk. Obtained third contact on
a submarine that was apparently
headed for ST. LOUIS, which was at the time heading out on course
approximately 150 true, at high speed. Two depth charges dropped, and upon
return noticed large oil slick on surface. It is claimed that one, and
possibly two, submarines were sunk. |
1592 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
0950 |
Outgoing Two enemy carriers reported 30 miles
southwest Barbers Point, (Sent to CTF 8). |
0951 |
TENNESSEE Reports lighter alongside starboard beam
on fire (ammunition lighter, top blown out. Can see no ammunition on it.) |
[63] |
|
0951 |
Received COM 14 to ASP: Two planes seen dropping
heavy charges off harbor entrance which did not explode; think they are
mines. |
0952 |
Outgoing Battleships remain in part probable
channel mined. |
0954 |
TENNESSEE. Observed bow of MARYLAND on fire. |
0954 |
Received SOPA SAN DIEGO to ASP HAWAIIAN AREA: Los
Angeles Harbor Air Defense Plan Number One effective. |
|
Unknown SIGNAL TOWER The following ships have left
Pearl Harbor: DALE, ST. LOUIS, HENLEY, PHELPS, RAMSEY, WASMUTH, PATTERSON, MONTGOMERY. |
0955 |
GAMBLE Temporarily anchored, astern of USS MEDUSA. |
0955 |
TENNESSEE Still playing fire hose on ammunition
lighter. Fire seems to under control. |
0955 |
MUGFORD Commenced receiving fuel oil from the yard
line. PERRY and GAMBLE standing out. |
[64] |
|
0956 |
TENNESSEE Observed SOLACE getting underway. |
0957 |
MUGFORD CALIFORNIA listing to port. |
[65] |
|
0958 |
MUGFORD BB's order to remain in port. |
0958 |
TENNESSEE Observed the on bow of MARYLAND. Was
under control. Superstructure on WEST VIRGINIA on fire-4 or 5 men trapped,
trying to escape by crane. File (oil on water) at stern of TENNESSEE was out.
Fire very close to D-310 M. |
1000 |
CUMMINGS Opened fire to repel horizontal bombing
attack from the Southward. One horizontal bomber observed to lose its wing.
CUMMINGS gun captain #4 claimed a hit. |
1000 |
WHITNEY WHITNEY reports REID and SELFRIDGE
underway. |
1002 |
CALIFORNIA Oil fire on surface of water enveloped
ship starting many fires, particularly intense one on forecastle. Captain
Bunkley, with approval of Commander Battle Force ordered ship to be abandoned
temporarily due to enveloping oil fire on surface of water. |
1002 |
TENNESSEE Flood D-310-M (D-306-M and D-312-M also
flooded, not isolated). |
1003 |
MUGFORD Japanese planes reported dropping mines in
channel. |
[66] |
|
1005 |
GAMBLE Underway proceeding out of channel, |
1005 |
FT. SHAFTER Some heavy bombs dropped at entrance
of Pearl Harbor did not explode. Think they are mines. |
1005 |
SOPA SAN DIEGO To ASP SAN DIEGO: San Diego Harbor
Air Defense Plan Number ONE effective. |
1005 |
MUGFORD USS SHAW in floating dry-dock exploded.
Main engines and two boilers of MUGFORD ready to get underway. |
1008 |
TENNESSEE Observed ARIZONA aflame all over. |
1010 |
UNKNOWN To RDO WAILUPE: This vessel and 4 DM in
Southwest S2 two enemy carriers in sight. (Rec'd by phone). |
1010 |
REID REID got underway on 4 boilers. No damage or
casualties. |
1010 |
PHOENIX Got underway, but returned to Berth C-6 on
receiving orders not to sortie. |
1010 |
SUMNER Fired two rounds at bomber on port beam,
altitude 8,000—no hits. Also fired .50 caliber machine guns, two and four. |
[67] |
|
1010 |
TENNESSEE Observed planes approaching from
starboard beam; did not come in. |
1011 |
CPW 2 To DEWT: Report CPW 2 for duty. |
1013 |
MUGFORD USS SCHLEY and ALLEN ready to get
underway. |
|
UNKNOWN VP-24 To CPW 2 Eight men of war Lat. 21.10
Long 160. 16 course 090 degrees |
|
UNKNOWN USCG 400 To CG RDO STATION: Report
immediately to Commander Honolulu Base. |
1014 |
Com 14 Was Lualualei NAD damaged. |
1015 |
CTF 9 To COMPATRON 21 Search Sector 000 to 300
Japanese Carriers |
1015 |
GAMBLE Shifted .30 cal. A. A. machine guns to top
of pilot house on fire control platform. |
1018 |
CINCPAC To CTF 8,12, 3 Search from Pearl very
limited account maxiumum twelve VP searching X Some indication enemy force
northwest Oahu X Addressees operate as directed Com Task Force 8 to intercept
and attack enemy composition enemy force unknown. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1593
[68] |
|
1018 |
CTF 8 Is Ford Island available reservice and rearm
carrier planes in case necessity. |
1020 |
TENNESSEE TENNESSEE reports ARIZONA looks as if
she is on the bottom. Word passed for the 5th division to lay aft to relieve
fire party. |
1020 |
Cincpac To CTF One: Do not send any more cruisers
to Sea. |
1020 |
CTG 1.9 To ALL Air Coms Patwing l & 2. Observe
approach Doctrine when near Oahu. |
1020 |
MUGFORD USS JARVIS cleared starboard side. |
1020 |
Attack group of 15 VSB's with 1,000 lb. bombs each
dispatched to position 30 miles
south Barber's Point where numerous reports had been received of enemy carriers and other
forces; no contact. CinC informed
Comtaskfor EIGHT depended on Pearl Harbor for scouting information.
This in order maintain carrier striking group in readiness. |
1021 |
GAMBLE; Cleared channel entrance. Eight depth
charges were armed and the ship commenced offshore and anti-submarine patrol
off Pearl Harbor entrance. |
1022 |
MUGFORD Navy MT's standing out |
[69] |
|
1023 |
WASMUTH dropped one depth charge on suspicious
Water, setting 200 feet, results negative. |
1023 |
MUGFORD Floating Dry Dock sinking. |
1024 |
TENNESSEE TENNESSEE reports Torpedo boats leaving
harbor. |
1027 |
TENNESSEE TENNESSEE reports people coming from
WEST VIRGINIA on board TENNESSEE by way of a five inch gun. |
1027 |
MUGFORD A transport and CUMMINGS underway standing
out. |
1028 |
NAS PEARL To CTF 8: Your 2023 Affirmative. (Ref:
Is Ford Island available reservice and rearm carrier planes in ease
necessity). |
1028 |
PENNSYLVANIA Power on ship taken on two
generators. |
1030 |
CASTOR CASTOR Transferred ammunition to NEOSHO for
use of that vessel. |
1030 |
ARMY HDQTS Two enemy coming in 30 miles south of
Affirm 28. |
[70] |
|
1030 |
HENLEY Visual signal from TREVER reported the
HENLEY'S captain and executive officer on board that vessel. |
1030 |
BLUE Upon completion of attacks, BLUE screened ST.
LOUIS. |
1030 |
SICARD SICARD observed attack break off. Mustered
crew, no injuries or casualties. |
1030 |
PHOENIX Got underway and started out north of
channel. Received message from TENNESSEE from CINCPAC "Do not
Sortie". Turned around in channel and started back to berth C.-6. On
receipts of orders from Comcrubatfor proceeded via south channel and
completed sortie and joined Comtaskfor ONE. |
1030 |
MUGFORD Fuel oil barge moored starboard quarter. |
1030 |
PENNSYLVANIA Sent motor launches to West Loch for
more ammunition. |
1031 |
UNKNOWN This vessel and 4 DM in southwest S2 *NO*
enemy carriers in sight. |
[71] |
|
1032 |
TENNESSEE TENNESSEE observes ARIZONA abandoning
ship. Repair II report all C&R soundings normal. Repair IV report all
soundings normal. Pull circuit L28 at aft. Distribution Board. Mr. Teague
says hatches cannot be opened from inside wardroom country too hot. |
1032 |
SIGNAL TOWER To CINCPAC: These ships underway but
have not cleared the entrance yet: DETROIT—JARVIS—PERRY—NEW
ORLEANS—GAMBLE—CHEW. |
1033 |
COMBATSHIPS Be ready to repel repeated air
attacks. |
1033 |
CTF 3, CTF 8 To ASP; Submarines reported 10 miles
south Barber's point. |
1033 |
TENNESSEE TENNESSEE 6° down by stern from flooding
of D-306, D-312 M. |
1036 |
TENNESSEE Unit 2, Repair I, combating fire in W.
R. Country. Dead man forward of conning tower, sent stretcher party. |
1036 |
WASMUTH Dropped second depth charge on suspicious
water, setting 200 feet, bearing 217°, distance 3.4 miles from Pearl Harbor
entrance buoys. Brought up large quantities of oil, but no wreckage. |
1040 |
YUNE 8 bearing (BILATERAL) 357° or 178° T from
HEEIA. YUNE 8 is Comcardivs (AKAGI). |
1594 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
[72] |
|
1040 |
Comdesron 3 Underway accordance signal from tower,
and oral orders. Joined antisub patrol operating off entrance. Made two Sound
contacts, dropped 3 and 2 depth charges. Oil observed on water but no
conclusive evidence of submarine loss. |
1040 |
COMBASEFOR To Cominron 2: Sweep South channel from
East Loch to entrance magnetic and moored mines. |
1040 |
MUGFORD Commenced receiving fuel from oil barge in
addition to oil from yard line. |
1040 |
TRACY TRACY reported CUMMINGS underway after
returning all TRACY men, 10 men sent to help fight fire in CALIFORNIA. |
1042 |
Combatfor To Cap't NYD: The CALIFORNIA is on fire
inside. Probably two tugs with fire equipment could save her. |
1045 |
DOWNES Fire on CASSIN brought under control. |
1046 |
COMBATSHIPS To BATSHIPS IN COMPANY: All
battleships sent pilots and aviation personnel to Ford Island immediately. |
1046 |
CTF 8 DF bearings indicate enemy carrier bearing
178 from Barber's point |
[73] |
|
1048 |
TENNESSEE To CINCPAC: TENNESSEE 30% damage
CALIFORNIA has been sunk. Doubtful checking. |
1050 |
TERN Proceeded to put out fire on USS ARIZONA.
Shifted over to WEST VIRGINIA by orders from MARYLAND. |
1051 |
CPW 1 To Plane 2 VP 14: Search sector 310 to 320.
Take due caution. |
. |
Unknown CTF 8 To CINCPAC: CINCPAC 2012
Acknowledge. |
1053 |
MINNEAPOLIS To CINCPAC: MINNEAPOLIS center area
VICTOR ONE. |
|
|
1055 |
CTF 8 To CINCPAC: Am depending on Pearl for
scouting information. |
1055 |
CTF 8 CTF 8 launched six VOS to search sector
O00-045 to 150 miles. |
1055 |
SUMNER Fired two rounds 3" at plane dead
ahead, altitude 8,000. No hits. Fired all 50 caliber. |
[74] |
|
1056 |
MUGFORD Japanese planes attacking from North.
(Note: These are apparently friendly planes). |
1058 |
MUGFORD Numerous explosions from WEST VIRGINIA and
ARIZONA. |
1058 |
TENNESSEE Observed Naval Air Station planes in
air. |
1058 |
PATRON 23 To CPW ONE: Investigating suspicious
vessel 21 00, 150 50. |
1100 |
TRACY Japanese have definitely withdrawn. |
1100 |
COM 14 TO NAS PEARL, CPW 2: Hawaiian Air Force
contemplates moving headquarters, MUX lines will be kept in commission. |
. |
UNKNOWN COMBASEFOR, C0MINRON TWO to COM 14: Sweep
South channel from East Loch to entrance magnetic and moored mines. |
1100 |
TENNESSEE Repair II told to open drain valve and
core valve in GSK, Valves to Sick Bay. Enemy plane coming in on bow. All
hands not engaged in fighting fire seek cover. |
[75] |
. |
1100 |
HELM Sound listening watch heard screws on
starboard quarter. Ship circled for attack but lost control. No depth charges
dropped. |
1100 |
SICARD Observed horizontal bombing attack. |
1100 |
MUGFORD Fire appeared to be under control on
NEVADA. |
1103 |
TENNESSEE Observed destroyer putting to sea (other
side of Ford Island). Gasoline stowage filled with C02. |
1103 |
VP 23 #11 To CPW2: Ships investigated 2 subs
unknown nationality course 271 submerged on my approach. |
1105 |
NAS Kaneohe To CINCPAC: Ship nationality unknown
10 miles off Kahana Point. |
1105 |
To ASP, Info CTF 8 All ships departing Pearl
organize as TASKFORCE ONE UNDIVIDED Comdesbatfor assume command report CTF 8. |
1105 |
To ASP this Circuit: Enemy planes coming for Pearl
Harbor from South. |
[76] |
. |
1108 |
BREESE Received reports Motor Torpedo Boat sighted
periscope |
1108 |
ST. LOUIS To CINCPAC: Formed attack group ST.
LOUIS, LAMSON, PHELPS, I am proceeding to locate ENEMY. |
1108 |
CPW 2 To PATRON 23 Empty tanker no guns showing
identity unknown lat. 21 00 Long. 259 59. |
1110 |
NYD OPERATIONS To CINCPAC: NYD Operations reports
another air raid expected within twenty minutes. |
1110 |
SICARD Observed horizontal diving attack
completed. |
1115 |
NORTHAMPTON Two NORTHAMPTON planes launched to
conduct search 150 miles to the north. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1595
1115 |
BREESE BREESE dropped 2 depth charges on spot
indicated with no apparent results. Bearings: Barber's Point 297° (t),and
Hickam Tower |
1118 |
NAS Kaneohe Bay to CINCPAC: Ship nationality
unknown 10 miles off Kahana Point. |
[77] |
|
1121 |
TENNESSEE 2° list to port. |
1121 |
TENNESSEE To CINCPAC: Damage 00% to TENNESSEE:
WEST VIRGINIA sunk. Note: Correction WEST VIRGINIA for CALIFORNIA. Correction
00% instead of 30% for TENNESSEE. |
1125 |
SUMNER Fired four rounds 3" at plane crossing
ahead from starboard, altitude 6,000 feet, no hits. Fired 50 caliber machine
guns No. 1 and 2. |
1125 |
CPW 2 To VP 14 #1, VP 14 #3: STAY OUT. |
1130 |
WHITNEY Received orders to remained at anchor. |
1130 |
HENLEY Picked up captain and executive officer
from TREVER. No losses or damage experienced by HENLEY. |
1130 |
PATRON 24, CPW 2 to CPW 2, CTF 3: Eight men of war
Lat. 21 10, Long. 160 16, course 090 degrees. |
1130 |
TENNESSEE Bridge steering telegraph out (being
repaired). Sending planes from Hickam Field. |
[78] |
|
1132 |
MUGFORD Horizontal bombers approaching from port
(Jap.) |
1133 |
ST. LOUIS To COMDESRON 1: What is your position? |
1133 |
SICARD Observed another horizontal bombing raid. |
1135 |
SICARD Observed bombers withdrawed. No material
damaged and no personnel casualties. |
1135 |
SUMNER Fired 11 rounds 3" at formation of
five bombers crossing ahead from port no hits. Fired all machine guns. |
1135 |
CSD 43 To Comsubscofor: Point 21 54—Point 56 12. |
1135 |
TENNESSEE Sighted two planes bearing 270°. |
1135 |
BREESE Picked up sound of submarine in same vicinity.
Dropped 2 depth charges and oil slick with debris appeared, 2nd attack was
made with 4 deep-set charges to make certain but no additional results
appeared. Meanwhile destroyers in vicinity dropped additional charges. |
[79] |
|
1135 |
NORTHAMPTON Approximately 15 miles west of Kauai.
Section attacked by enemy single seat monoplane, engagement lasting about 20
minutes. Enemy plane made total of seven attacks diving from above or to the
side of the scouting section. On all diving attacks presented and exceptionally
good target as he squashed down toward the section. Apparent enemy speed 275
miles or better. Enemy plane broke out in smoke and departed. Search
continued until completed. |
1136 |
MUGFORD U. S. Navy planes taking off from Ford
Island. |
1136 |
TENNESSEE Observed light cruiser putting out to
sea. Turning engines over to keep fire on water away from ship. |
1137 |
COMBATSHIP 3 To CTF 1: MINNEAPOLIS 2 DMs center
southern boundary VICTOR ONE Course 105 speed 15/UKX CAB6. |
1139 |
CTF 9 To VP 24 Planes #1, #2, #4, #5, #11, CPW2:
Search to 200 miles. |
1139 |
CTF 8 To CINCPAC: TF 8 flying colors bearing 184
distance 99 from Kaula Rock at 1115. |
1140 |
MUGFORD Japanese Planes on starboard beam. |
[80] |
|
1140 |
RDO Wailupe To all stations this circuit: Guam
attacked |
1140 |
DESBATFOR To CTF 8: Int posit desig zero george
eight. |
1140 |
NORTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON plane engaged enemy
fighter. This was not known to Comtaskfor 8 until 8 December. |
1143 |
COMBATFOR To COMBATSHIPS Prepare available
battleship planes for search and report to subbase when ready and number. 2
CALIFORNIA planes at Ford Island probably ready. |
1142 |
COM 14 To CINCPAC: Submarine due south Aloha Tower
4 miles has been bombed. Surface covered with oil slick. |
1144 |
COMBASEFOR To COMINRON 2: Designate two DMs sweep
approaches to Pearl magnetic mines. |
1145 |
COMCRUBATFOR To CINCPAC: Have no ships in sector
4. |
1146 |
ANTARES moored to B-5A Honolulu. |
[81] |
|
1146 |
PATWING To Unknown: Enemy troops landing on north
shore. Blue coveralls with red emblems. |
1l50 |
COM 14 To CINCPAC: Parachutists are landing at
Barber's Point. |
1152 |
CPW 1 To Cincpac, CPW2: 3 planes security patrol
patrol 14 are search- ing assigned sector. All planes have depth charges
aboard. |
1596 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
1153 |
COMCARDIV 1 To Cincpac: SARATOGA ready depart San
Diego 0900 tomorrow Monday mx escorting ships so far as known have not been
designated. Request instructions. |
1155 |
To ASP: All cruisers and destroyers depart Pearl
as soon as practicable x report CTF 1 in DETROIT. |
1166 |
TENNESSEE Observed Army fortresses in the air.
Believe enemy planes and submarines lying in channel. |
1159 |
MUGFORD The end of period during which ship
maintained 50 caliber and 5" fire. |
[82] |
|
1200 |
Location of Forces 1200, 7 December 1941: T. F. 8
ENTERPRISE 21-30 160-55; T. F. 12 LEXINGTON. 23-50, 171-15; Subdiv 43 (3 SS),
80 Miles East, coming ready; GUDGEON C-5, Ready; T. F. 1 and 2 less 8 in
Pearl; T. F. 3 less 12, areas; Task F 3 rendezvousing with MINNEAPOLIS and 20
Ms southern boundary VI Course 1:15. |
1200 |
GWIN To Comdesbatfor Reporting for duty with
LAMSON and PHELPS I am proceeding to South to locate and attack enemy carrier |
1200 |
BOBOLINK Received Orders from Combasefor to sweep
Pearl Harbor with TURKEY. |
1200 |
ST. LOUIS To Comcruscofor: Reporting for duty with
LAMSON and PHELPS. I am proceeding south to locate and attack enemy carrier. |
1201 |
Compatwing To Compatron 24: Have search for assign
sector 300 miles am returning. |
1202 |
CTF 8 To CINCPAC: Your 2100 refers Task Force 8
with 13 ships X request all units be notified. |
1204 |
GAMBLE Established sound contact with submarine
and dropped three depth charges. Position bearing 168 T from Diamond Head
light, distance 2.6 miles. |
[83] |
|
1206 |
MUGFORD Discontinued fueling. 115000 gallons on
board. |
1205 |
Comdesbatfor to Comdesflot ONE: About nine thirty
witnessed MONAGHAN sink enemy submarine by ramming and depth charges.
Excellent piece of work. |
1205 |
SIGNAL TOWER About 0930 witnessed MONAGHAN sink
enemy sub. by ramming and depth charges. Excellent piece of work. Believe
RALEIGH accounted for three planes. |
1205 |
Com 11 To KENNISON: Submarine reported twenty
miles bearing 235 from Pt. Loma
investigate. |
1205 |
Com 14 All lights extinguished except control
lights. |
1209 |
MUGFORD. Oil barge cleared starboard side. |
1209 |
COMBATSHIPS To CINCPAC: Design cast desig king
baker jib. |
1209 |
COMBATSHIPS To Cruisers and Destroyers: Sortie in
accordance until plan indicated. |
1210 |
TENNESSEE Draft of ship (internal): Fwd. 34' 6,
Aft, 35' 10 1/4; Mean 35' 4 l/2". Enemy transport reported 40 miles off
Barber's Point. Parachute troops landing on Barber's Point later proved
false). After Battle Dressing Station send stretcher party to left gun,
turret III, and remove casualties. Three planes on starboard beam coming this
way (do not know whether enemy or not) Said planes flying low; apparently,
turning away. Organize a crew of about 30 men to relieve men of Turret IV who
are fighting fire on water. |
1213 |
SOLACE To Com 14: Expedite your boat all tannic
acid, tannic acid jelly, pecric acid, tetanus anti-toxin, gas gangrene
combined serum morphine sulphate, morphine syretts, sutures, needles, hypo
needles and adhesive tape can be spared. |
[84] |
|
1214 |
MUGFORD Underway. Standing out in channel. |
1215 |
HELM Rejoined DETROIT. Ceased patrolling. |
1217 |
CTF 9 To PW 2l,23,19: Search to 300 miles. |
1221 |
RDO WAILUPE To all stations: Nine unidentified
aircraft over-Guam. |
1226 |
BOBOLINK Moored alongside coal dock to take wire
aboard. |
1228 |
CINCPAC To ASP Hawaiian Area: If NPM fox goes out
guard harbor circuit. |
1228 |
Combatships To Cincpac: PENNSYLVANIA Dive bomb hit
starboard side frame 86 drydock now flooded. MARYLAND magazines flooded.
TENNESSEE fire in wardroom country. OKLAHOMA capsized. WEST VIRGINIA sunk but
upright. CALIFORNIA down by the head and heavy list to port probably on
bottom. ARIZONA sunk. NEVADA beached off Hospital Point. |
Page 1597
|
Unknown CPW 2 To VP 23: Search to 200 miles any
instructions. |
1229 |
SIGNAL TOWER THORNTON is underway and standing up. |
1230 |
CURTISS To Cincpac. Unable to sortie because of
damage. |
1230 |
MUGFORD Japanese plane crashed on beach of HICKAM
FIELD. (Note: It is believed the ship observed this at this time (wreckage),
not that the crash occurred at this time. |
[85] |
|
1216 |
SIGNAL TOWER These ships have cleared Pearl Harbor
Channel: DALE, HANLEY, PATTERSON. PHOENIX, WASMUTH, RAMSAY, ST. LOUIS,
DETROIT, MONTGOMERY, WORDEN, CUMMINGS. |
1219 |
Combatships To Com 14 Serious oil fire alongside
W. VA. menaces TENNESSEE and MARYLAND send fire boats. |
1223 |
CTF 8 To Cincpac: 21 VSB from ENTERPRISE should
have landed Ford Island about 0830. Request information. |
1223 |
RDO Wailupe To ASP: Air alarm standby. |
1230 |
TENNESSEE Secure all fresh water, except galley
and drinking. |
1230 |
----- While GAMBLE conducting depth charge attack
off Diamond Head, received three despatches from CinC addressed to ASP. Ships
ordered to attack transports reported four miles off Barber's Point. All
vessels having departed Pearl Harbor organized as Task Force ONE to report to
CTF 8 clearing harbor and to report position, composition, and speed. GAMBLE
continued with depth charge attack until contact was lost then proceeded to
Barber's Point where no transports were found. Continued westward. |
1232 |
CINCPAC To ASP: Enemy transport s reported four miles
off Barbers Point. Attack. |
1235 |
CTF 12 To CTF 3 & 8: Cancel Midway Marine
flight. |
[86] |
|
1240 |
MU" HE SARA HAHO On 4780 BRG 186 (Believed
Submarine). |
1240 |
MU" HE SARA HAHO on 4580 BRG 181 (Believed
Submarine). |
1300 |
KANURE Appears to be O.T.C. on 6581 BRG. 183. |
1300 |
SISO On 7033 BRG 167l/2. |
1300 |
KASO Seems to be Task Force Commander. |
1300 |
KANURE is probably Commander in the Air. |
[87] |
|
1235 |
CTF 12 To Cincpac: Is Midway flight canceled. |
1235 |
MUGFORD Passed entrance to channel. Four 50 cal.
and four 5"/38 cal guns during the entire period 0809 to 1159 whenever
any planes came within range and bearing maintained fire. |
1235 |
COMBATSHIPS To Combatfor: Combatship in Maryland. |
1235 |
RALEIGH To Cincpac: Two fire rooms and engine room
and stern compt. flooded. Damage under control at present. Unable to get
underway. |
1244 |
Plane 12 VP 23 Two CPW2: Approaching 300 able to
search more gas 400 25 I request instructions. |
1245 |
TENNESSEE Planes on port bow (do not know whether
enemy or not). |
1246 |
---- CALIFORNIA sinking fast, stern underwater.
Close all topside hatches, as turrets will be fired. (Did not). Gun four port
reported Hoist #22, 5"/51, in B-510 was damaged. Power can be sent up,
but is slowed. Draft of ship, FWD: 34'9". Magazine temperature of Turret
I-84°. |
1246 |
WP OFF. 14ND High altitude bombing attack coming
in over Diamond Head. |
|
Unknown Cincpac To Rdo San Diego: Receive me on
26.1, transmit on 30.6 (cable to Navy radio San Diego) Via Globe. |
1247 |
CURTISS To CPW2: All of our transmitters are out. |
1247 |
Combatships To COLORADO: If vessels are not longer
in service will furnish men and officers to ships in service to man complete
anti-aircraft batteries for continuous watch. |
[88] |
|
1248 |
Combasefor To Cominron TWO: Designate two DMs
sweep approach to Pearl magnetic mines. |
1255 |
GAMBLE Proceeded on course 270T at 20 knots to
join friendly forces upon receipt of orders from Cincpac. |
1300 |
ST. LOUIS To Comdesbatfor: ST. LOUIS, BLUE,
LAMSON, PHELPS posit Lat 20.51 Long 158, course 275, speed 25K. |
|
Unknown Cincpac To CTF 8: Your 2208 Only nine
arrived. |
[89] |
|
1256 |
MTB SQUAD Out guarding 3445 voice sqdn. Comdrs. PT
20 PT 22, PT 23, PT 24 At dock guarding 3445 voice PT 21. On dock at crane no
power PT 26, PT 28. Aboard RAMAPO underway PT 27, PT 29, PT 30, PT 42. |
1598 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
1258 |
Com 14 Four Japanese transports off Barbers Point. |
1300 |
RALEIGH Reports tugs SUNNADIN and AVOCET came
alongside and furnished light and power. One torpedo ran between bow of
RALEIGH and stern of DETROIT, and apparently sank in shoal water at Ford
Island without exploding. The following planes were destroyed, in which it is
considered the RALEIGH contributed: 1. Bomber flying over
stern stbd to port crashed on deck or CURTISS. 2. Plane new over bow from
stbd to port and crashed near Pear City. 3. Plane flying north on
our stbd beam crashed in water between DOBBIN and BALTIMORE. 4. Plane off our stern
flying over Air Station was hit by 3" she and blown to pieces in air. 5. Plane flying across our
stern had tail blown off and fell Over Pearl City. |
1300 |
Comdesbatfor Own DD reports no enemy vessels off
Barbers Point. |
1300 |
CTF 1 At 1300 join DETROIT course 210 n speed 18
from point 51. (Action to ST. LOUIS) |
1300 |
RAMSAY Jap ship four miles from Barbers Point Two
sampans further out. Parachute troops landing on North Shore. (Reported by VJ
plane.) |
1301 |
CPW 2 Search sector 220 to 230. Return (Action to
12-VP-23) |
|
Unknown Comtrainron 8 ANTARES docked pier five
afirm, Honolulu. Struck by several machine gun bullets but no damage to
material or personnel. |
[90] |
|
1302 |
Cincpac To CTF 8: Radio bearings indicate AKAGI
bearing 183 from Pearl another unit bearing 167°. |
1303 |
CPW 2 To comscoron 6: Reported Jap rendezvous 223°
9O miles from Ford Island. Search to 200 miles sector 235 to 215. |
1305 |
NAS Kaneohe Captured enemy chart has marked
positions bearing 223° distant 90 miles from Pearl Harbor. |
1309 |
Signal Tower DETROIT and PHOENIX are near Barbers
Point. Signal Tower sees no transports. |
1310 |
Combasefor To comtrainron 6; Com 14, Cominron 2:
Sweep channel from East Loch to entrance magnetic and Moored mines. |
1312 |
HULBERT Army reports that four enemy transports
off Barbers Point. |
1312 |
ST LOUIS Am proceeding with three destroyers to
attack Barbers Point Speed two five position lat. 21-57 long 150-03. |
1313 |
Combatships To NAS Pearl: for Capt. Bode
CALIFORNIA urgently needs AA ammunition. |
1317 |
Rdo Wailupe Signals intercepted and bearing true
north believed to be enemy carrier by character of transmission. |
[91] |
|
1319 |
FRANK By phone: Enemy sampan about to land at
Naval ammunition Depot. |
--- |
FRANK Enemy landing party off shore Nanakul.
Friendly planes firing at them. |
--- |
FRANK Op-1 Southeast enemy and friendly planes in
dogfight. |
1322 |
------ Enemy naval attack coming in towards
Barbers Point. Present position nine miles. |
1322 |
Opnav To Mardet Tientsin. Com 15, Mardet AM Emb,
Peiping Astnavatt Shanghai, Rdo Wake, Navatt Chungking, Johnston Is, Rdo
Guam, Palmyra, Com 16, Rdo Tutuila, HOPKINS: This confirms air raid by Japan
on Oahu at 1800 today followed by declaration of war by Japan against US and
Great Britain. |
1323 |
HELENA To Comcrubatfor: Due contamination feed
water cannot maintain underway status longer than 8 hours. During this time
speed limited to 10 kts. Ready this condition on one hour notice F power for
fire control limited to two diesel generators. View condition and to effect
repairs recommend letting fires under all boilers die out. |
1324 |
CTF 8: UPSN Junction Task Force One and Eight.
Propose send Crudiv FIVE to Pearl for fuel. |
1328 |
MINNEAPOLIS Your 072234 (CincPacs) complying. Ref.
# 12-299 Use plane to search sector 135 to 180 distance 154 miles from Pearl. |
--- |
CINCPAC To CTF 8: DETROIT, PHOENIX, ST LOUIS, NEW
ORLEANS fourteen destroyers and
four minelayers have sortied and are proceeding to join you. Also MINNEAPOLIS
and four minelayers ordered join from operating areas send ships to Pearl for
fuel. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1599
[92] |
|
1330 |
BOBOLINK's orders to sweep channel changed to
sweeping approaches to Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Harbor. Arriving off Pearl
it appeared all ships there were engaged in sweeping. |
1331 |
CTF 1 To Cincpac: Task Force ONE: proceeding off
Barbers Point Notify Army. |
1333 |
CPW 1 To CPW 2: Request instructions for dawn
patrol upon their return. |
1337 |
CTF 3 To CTF 2: My force INDIANAPOLIS and 5 DMs
INDIANAPOLIS proceeding from JOHNSTON Island course 054 speed 25. Dog Mike
Sail directed proceed Pearl for fuel and rejoin later. |
1340 |
TENNESSEE Plane coming in on starboard beam.
(Proved to be friendly). |
1345 |
CTF 8 launched 9 VSB's to cover sector 110-200T to
175 miles. One of latter reported contact with surface forces believed enemy
including a carrier in position Lat 20-32 Long 158-16 and cruiser Lat 20-32
Long 158-40. Scout reported being attacked by VF's. No further radio contact
established with scout. Scout landed later at Kaneohe, reports believed to
have been in error. |
1348 |
VIREO Received orders to report to Combasefor
thence to West Loch to bring up 5", 3" and .50 M. G. ammunition for
CALIFORNIA. |
[93] |
|
1330 |
Reports 7632 kcs (M) following calls: SIME; SISC:
DASCHO: SUREMO, SAMORE, Sends following type of ... 095.45 086.42 |
1337 |
Bearing on SISC 170 85 |
1341 |
Bearing on SAMORE 165 |
1344 |
Reports following mag ... KISC to SIME Nr. 1 SIME
354. 56 |
1345 |
Reports SOSC Good bearing 7632 (M) 337. |
[94] |
|
1351 |
Reports SISC calling SAMORE. S5 bearing 337. Very
loud signal |
1353 |
Reports bearing SAMEMU bearing 337. Following
bearings: 7632 kcs (M) 0036-SUSU S5 340-7632 (M) 0040 SIME 336 Following
bearings: 7632 (M) 005-bearing SISC 338 S.5 7050 (M) 0055 bearing SISC 33S.5
S.5 |
1410 |
KANURE KANURE sez at 1235 (local Time) "I
HAVE FUEL FOR 10 MINUTES" KANURE at 1240 "I
WILL FLY AS LONG AS I HAVE FUEL" Someone on 7033 at 1247
said "HAVE NOT BE OPPOSED" SAME FREQUENCY BELIEVE
SINIRE FROM "SISC" at 1250 "WHAT IS YOUR COURSE". RUS18 and YUNE8 believed
to be Commander Carrier SUT12 believed to be a
Carrier. SISORE is either another
Comdr in the Air or Comdr Transport Group 1. SISO is Boss of SISORE. No further bearings of
radio intelligence of the Striking Force until following day 8 December 1941.
TRANSMISSION: |
1450 |
SIME 010.01 I HA NKIARIYA ANSWER: 2 HA NKIARI BEARINGS SAREMU 338 S.4 on
7632 kcs (M) |
[95] |
|
1410 |
WASMUTH rigs twin ship moored minesweep with USS
ZANE, 400 fathoms of wire between ships, depressors at 5 fathoms, no floats.
At 1547 entered Pearl Harbor entrance channel and sweep up channel to gate
vessel, where wire parted. At 1620 anchored off Coal Dock and retrieved sweep
gear. At l628 underway. At 1635 the Captain returned aboard, Lieutenant
Commander Agnew, USN, left and joined TREVER. Returned off harbor entrance
and resumed patrol in company with Mindiv 4. |
1412 |
GAMBLE Sighted sampan bearing 32° T. |
1415 |
TENNESSEE Set condition ZED from Turret III,
second deck, aft. Repair I, Unit 2, leading out fire hose to play water on
WEST VIRGINIA. Received report that one of our destroyers sank Jap submarine. |
1426 |
BOBOLINK Passed sweep wire to TURKEY and commenced
sweeping off Honolulu Harbor. |
1600 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
1435 |
GAMBLE Slowed to investigate but did not search,
sampan position, approximately 4 miles south of Barbers Point. |
1455 |
VIREO While waiting for arrival of ammunition,
towed ammunition lighter with 14" powder away from dock to decrease
menace to explosion. Delivered ammunition to ARGONNE. |
1500 |
TENNESSEE Report states that Wake Island had been
bombed by 30 bombers. Ens. Kable
still alive, Hudgell dead: also Miller and Adams. |
[96] |
|
|
MIDWAY 1600 Via commercial Cable ......."on
7073 _ _ _ _ _ SISO 2-16 ...... Fair ____ SIME 245 Poor NAS Midway."
Plane language : SASO V SAREMI #3 ............... A FU"KUMA YORI 150 to
"30 MAIRU NEN 200 1115 ..................... |
[97] |
|
1505 |
DEWEY Underway and standing out of harbor. |
1550 |
BOBOLINK Received orders from Commander Base Force
to report 1010 dock immediately. |
1551 |
TENNESSEE Repair 4 All outboard voids normal. All
soundings normal. Received report that PENNSYLVANIA had been hit while in
drydock. No. 2 machine gun repaired and in commission again. |
1552 |
------ CTF 12 given orders by CTF 8 to intercept
and destroy possible enemy carriers operating south coast of Oahu. It was
assumed after attacks enemy carriers would withdraw via Jaluit. |
1628 |
GAMBLE Sighted smoke bomb off port bow. |
1628 |
TENNESSEE Open up wardroom country and sleepy
hollow. Fire on WEST VIRGINIA seems to be under control. Repair I cut off #
32 vent system; smoke coming down. |
1630 |
------ Task Force ONE just ordered by CTF 8
proceed and attack. |
1631 |
GAMBLE Reports submarine surfaced. |
1632 |
GAMBLE Fired one shot 4" gun and missed,
short and to the left. Submarine displayed U. S. colors, and ceased firing.
Submarine submerged and fired recognition red smoke bomb. |
[98] |
|
1640 |
BOBOLINK While off dock 1010 received orders to
assist NEVADA. Orders changed to go alongside CALIFORNIA. |
1642 |
Attack group of 16 VF, 18 VTB's and 4 VSB smokers
launched by Comtaskforce EIGHT with no results. (VTB planes armed with
torpedoes recovered after dark.) Six VF planes proceeded Pearl mistaken for
unfriendly and four shot down. |
1647 |
GAMBLE Proceeded West. |
1647 |
TENNESSEE Told forward battle dressing station to
send doctor and stretcher party to WEST VIRGINIA bridge to get Captain. Ship
astern (ARIZONA) blew up. Two planes bearing 350°. |
1655 |
WHITNEY Reports CASE left from alongside. |
1659 |
TENNESSEE Engines ahead 1/3. Repairs 2 and 4; send
2 rescue breathers each, and spare oxygen bottles to starboard side of WEST
VIRGINIA quarterdeck. |
1703 |
TENNESSEE Word received to stop main engines.
Delivered 6 gas masks to WEST VIRGINIA. |
1705 |
WHITNEY Reports TUCKER left from alongside. |
1730 |
BOBOLINK Moored alongside WIDGEON next to
CALIFORNIA for salvage purposes. |
[99] |
|
1732 |
GAMBLE Sighted ENTERPRISE and exchanged calls.
Instructed by Commander Aircraft. Battle Force to join ENTERPRISE. |
1736 |
------ Comairbatfor ordered GAMBLE to join that
vessel as part of AS Screen. |
1740 |
BOBOLINK Commenced pumping to continue through the
night. |
1741 |
GAMBLE Joined ENTERPRISE and took station as third
ship with two other plane guard destroyers. |
1755 |
PELIAS Moored at Berths S-11 and 12, Submarine
Base, reports first attack was indicated by sound of machine gun fire
directed at single engine Jap torpedo plane flying low over ship's bow. The
plane launched a torpedo at ARIZONA which soon later burst into flames. |
1755 |
TENNESSEE Plane bearing 345. Plane signaled with
red light; did not understand meaning of signal. |
1800 |
PENNSYLVANIA Reports complete replacement of
ammunition effected. |
1823 |
TENNESSEE Observed plane bearing about 300. |
1833 |
TENNESSEE Plane bearing about 345 (Running lights
on; believed friendly). |
Page 1601
[100] |
|
1830 |
TENNESSEE Plane on port beam; running lights on. |
1837 |
TENNESSEE Plane coming in from dead ahead; bright
lights on it. |
1838 |
TENNESSEE Plane bearing about 245. |
1855 |
TENNESSEE ENTERPRISE planes approaching Oahu. |
1953 |
TENNESSEE Plane bearing from dead ahead; running
lights burning. |
2100 |
TENNESSEE Word passed over loudspeaker "All
men having hammocks in port hammock nettings remove them, and stow same
inboard " |
2100 |
TRACY Reports friendly planes with running lights
were by AA batteries, but TRACY did not fire. |
2100 |
TRACY Moored alongside CALIFORNIA and commenced
salvage work. |
2100 |
SICARD Observed 3 lighted planes, altitude 5000
approaching FORD ISLAND from South NEW ORLEANS Challenged without success and
opened. Other ships followed too. SICARD checked fire considering planes were
friendly. Other ships continued firing. |
2110 |
VIREO Observed AA fire opened and planes shot
down. Aviator fell astern of VIREO, was rescued and identified from
ENTERPRISE. Dispatch was sent to inform control that ENTERPRISE planes were
in air. |
[1]
Cincpac File No.
L11-(1)/(50) (02019)
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET,
USS PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship
PEARL HARBOR, T. H., December 12, 1941
Secret
From: Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet.
To: The Chief of Naval Operations.
Subject: Damage to Ships of the Pacific Fleet resulting from Enemy Attacks at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.
References:
(a) Cincpac Secret Desp. 072244 of December 1941.
(b) Cincpac Secret Desp. 081015 of December 1941.
(c) Cincpac Secret Desp. 100220 of December 1941.
(d) Cincpac Secret Desp. 102043 of December 1941.
1. The following report
relative to damage sustained by ships of the Pacific Fleet resulting from enemy
attacks on 7 December 1941 is submitted. This amplifies reports submitted by
references (a) to (d) inclusive:
(a) Battleships.
ARIZONA sunk at berth as result of
aircraft torpedoes and heavy bombs which exploded forward magazines. Ship is
considered to be a total wreck.
CALIFORNIA sunk at berth as a result
of hits by two or more aircraft
torpedoes; also received one large bomb hit amidships which caused
serious fire. Recommendations regarding salvage and repairs will be forwarded
later.
NEVADA damaged by heavy bombs,
possible mine in the channel and aircraft
torpedoes. Beached across from hospital point to prevent sinking after
an attempt to sortie. Batteries intact and manned though no power is on the
ship. Recommendations regarding salvage and repairs will be made later.
OKLAHOMA capsized at berth as a
result of receiving three or more hits by aircraft torpedoes. Recommendations
regarding salvage will be made later.
PENNSYLVANIA slightly damaged by bomb
hit, starboard side of boat deck while in drydock number 1, Navy Yard, Pearl
Harbor. Repairs have been completed and ship is ready for service.
[2] MARYLAND damaged by bomb hit on
forecastle and near miss. Ship was moved to the Navy Yard on 11 December and is
expected to be fully ready for service 13 December.
TENNESSEE received one heavy bomb
through turret top which did not explode, but put 2 rammers out of commission.
Also one bomb hit aft which cracked one 14" gun. Heat from the ARIZONA
fire melted and ignited paint in after portion of the second deck which was
badly burned out. Ship is now heavily wedged to mooring by reason of the WEST
VIRGINIA leaning against her. Steps are being taken to dynamite the
mooring to permit the removal of the TENNESSEE. Repairs are proceeding
and it is estimated that by 14 December ship will be ready for service less one
14" gun.
1602 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
WEST
VIRGINIA sunk
at berth as result of four aircraft torpedoes and one bomb hit. There is
considerable damage from fire. Recommendations regarding salvage and repairs
will be made later.
(b) Cruisers
HELENA damaged by bomb hit from
frame 30, starboard side, opening up side under armor belt for distance of
about 50 feet. Number one and two fire rooms and forward engine rooms flooded.
Ship is now in drydock #2, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor to effect repairs to make
seaworthy. It is estimated that new shell and framing will be completed within
two weeks and ship will be able to operate with two shafts and with all gun
batteries in commission. It is recommended that ship proceed to Mare Island for
completion of repairs to hull and machinery.
HONOLULU damaged by near miss at
approximately frame 40 port side. Hole approximately 20 feet by 6 feet
underwater. Ship being docked in drydock #1 today and it is estimated that work
will be completed to make her fully effective by 16 December.
[3] RALEIGH
damaged by one aircraft torpedo which flooded forward half of machinery plant.
Also hit by small bomb forward which penetrated three decks and went out ships'
side and did not explode. It is proposed to dock the RALEIGH following
completion of the HONOLULU to effect underwater repairs to make
seaworthy. Recommendations as to whether all repairs to make the ship fully
serviceable should be undertaken at Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor or a mainland navy
yard, will be forwarded later.
(c) Destroyers
CASSIN and DOWNES damaged
by bomb in number one drydock, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor ahead of PENNSYLVANIA.
Bomb hit DOWNES exploding her torpedoes warheads and causing serious oil
fire. CASSIN was damaged by fire and was knocked off drydock blocking
and fell over on DOWNES. DOWNES appears to be total loss except
for salvageable parts and materials. Recommendations regarding salvage and
repairs to CASSIN will be forwarded later.
SHAW hit by bomb while docking
on floating drydock. Forward part of ship and floating drydock badly damaged by
fire resulting from oil and powder. After part of ship not seriously damaged.
Recommendations regarding repairs will be forwarded later.
(d) Auxiliary vessels.
OGLALA sunk by aircraft torpedo
and near miss by bomb at ten-ten dock at Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor.
Recommendations regarding salvage and repairs will be forwarded at a later
date.
UTAH damaged and capsized as a
result of hits by aircraft torpedoes. Recommendations regarding salvage and
repairs will be forwarded later.
CURTISS damaged by enemy plane out
of control which flew into crane mast and by bomb which exploded damaging
hangar space causing fire which destroyed all radio equipment. Ship is entirely
seaworthy. Repairs are [4] proceeding and ship will be ready for operations
less one amidships crane by 15 December.
VESTAL damaged by a bomb hit aft
while at berth at Pearl Harbor, is undertaking repairs with own repair force.
It is estimated that the ship will be fully ready as a repair ship by 17
December. Docking may not be required.
2. It is believed that the
sinking of the OKLAHOMA, NEVADA, CALIFORNIA and WEST VIRGINIA is in large part
due to the ships having been in condition X-RAY. Had time been available to set
condition ZED before receiving damage, progressive flooding might have been
avoided.
H. E. KIMMEL
Copy to:
Buships
Buord
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1603
[1] Cincpac File No.
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
USS PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship
PEARL HARBOR, T. H., December 21, 1941.
Summary of damage sustained by ships of Pacific Fleet from enemy attacks at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941
Ship |
Damage incurred and cause |
Repairs proceeding and
proposed |
ARIZONA |
Sunk at berth. Aircraft torpedoes and heavy bombs
exploding forward magazines. |
Propose caisson the ship and make recommendation
thereafter. |
CALIFORNIA |
Sunk at berth. Two or more aircraft torpedoes and
one large bomb hit amidships causing fire. Part of A. A. Battery still manned
and available. |
Propose caisson ships, repair to make watertight
and return to mainland for complete repairs. (Tow.) |
MARYLAND |
Bomb hit frame 14, penetrated and exploded, holing
shell, decks and bulkheads forward of fr. 24. |
NYPH repairing shell to make seaworthy. Decks,
bulkheads to be completed at NYPS. |
NEVADA |
Heavy bombs, aircraft torpedoes and possibly a
mine in channel. Beached across from Hospital Pt. A. A. batteries still
manned and available. |
Propose float ship (caisson may not be required),
repair to make watertight and return to mainland yard for complete repairs.
(Tow.) |
OKLAHOMA |
Capsized at berth. Three or more aircraft
torpedoes. |
Propose right and float ship, (caisson may not be
required) repair to make watertight and return to mainland yard for complete
repairs. (Tow.) |
PENNSYLVANIA |
Bomb hit starboard side boat deck. |
Repairs completed. |
TENNESSEE |
One heavy bomb (dud) through turret top. One
medium bomb aft cracked 14" gun. Fire aft 2nd deck due to heat from
ARIZONA. Electrical circuits 2nd deck aft damaged by fire. |
NYPH repairing shell to make seaworthy and
habitable. NYPS complete habilitation, renew 14" gun, and watertight
integrity. |
[2] |
|
|
WEST
VIRGINIA |
Sunk at berth. Four aircraft torpedoes and one
heavy bomb hit. Considerable damage by fire. |
Propose caisson ship. Repair to make watertight
and return to mainland for complete repairs. (Tow) |
HELENA |
Forward fire and enginerooms flooded by aircraft
torpedo. Some machinery badly damaged. |
NYPH repairing shell to make seaworthy. Propose
return to NYMI for complete repairs. (On two shafts). |
HONOLULU |
Bomb. Near miss frame 40, port. Flooded five
magazines and handling room II turret. Damaged electrical circuits in flooded
spaces. |
NYPH proceeding with complete repairs. |
RALEIGH |
One aircraft torpedo, and small bomb (dud) which
penetrated three decks and ship's side aft. Forward engineroom and forward
firerooms flooded and damaged. |
NYPH to make repairs to make seaworthy when
HONOLULU is undocked. Propose return to NYMI (on 2 shafts) for complete
repairs |
CASSIN
and
DOWNES |
Drydock No. 1 ahead of PENNSYLVANIA. Bomb hit
DOWNES exploding her torpedo warheads and causing serious fire. CASSIN
knocked off blocks and fell over on DOWNES |
Propose upright, patch and float out CASSIN for
possible repairs to return to full or limited service. Further
recommendations later. |
SHAW |
Bombed while docked on floating drydock. Forward
part of ship and floating dock badly damaged. |
Propose float and reconstruct forward part return
to mainland yard for complete repairs, possibly under own power. |
OGLALA |
Sunk by aircraft torpedo and possibly near miss by
bomb. |
Salvage doubtful. Recommendation later. |
UTAH |
Capsized and sunk by aircraft torpedoes. |
Recommendations re salvage and repairs later. |
[3] |
|
|
CURTISS. |
Enemy plane out of control flew into crane mast.
One bomb exploded in hangar space. All radio equipment destroyed. Ship
entirely seaworthy. |
NYPH, replace radio and effect necessary repairs
to hangar space. |
VESTAL |
Bomb hit aft holing shell. Beached. |
Repairs proceeding by own repair force. May not
require docking. |
1604 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
[1] Cincpac File No.
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
USS PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship
PEARL HARBOR, T. H., December
20, 1941.
(a) Disposition of task
forces
TASK FORCE ONE
Batdivs 2 and 4 (less COLORADO) .......... 5 BB
Crudiv 9 (less BOISE) .................... 4 CL
Desrons 1 and 3 (less CLARK) ............. 17 DD
RALEIGH .................................. 1 OCL
OGLALA ................................... 1 OCM
Mindiv 1 (overhaul) ...................... 4 DM
Disposition: In port. Returned 11/28 to remain until
12/13.
TASK FORCE TWO
Batdiv 1 ...................... 3 BB
Crudiv 5 (less PENSACOLA) ...... 3 CA
Desrons 4 and 6 ................ 18 DD
DETROIT ........................ 1 OCL
ENTERPRISE ..................... 1 CV
Mindiv 2 ....................... 4 DM
Disposition: At sea as Task Force EIGHT.
In Port.
ENTERPRISE Batdiv 1
Desron 6 Desron 4
Crudiv 5 DETROIT
Mindiv 2
Position of Task Force EIGHT: 200 miles west of Pearl standing to eastward returning from landing VMP at Wake. Planes were in the air from 0618 to search sector 045 to 135 to 150 miles and then land at Ewa. These planes arrived during the attack and engaged the enemy aircraft.
TASK FORCE THREE
Crudivs 4 and 6 (less LOUISVILLE) ....... 7 CA
Desron 5 (less Desdiv 10) ............... 5 DD
Minron 2 ................................ 13 DM
LEXINGTON ............................... 1 CV
[2] Disposition: At sea as Task Force TWELVE
LEXINGTON
Crudiv 4 less INDIANAPOLIS and LOUISVILLE plus ASTORIA
Desron 5 less Desdiv 10
Position (estimated): 23-45 N, 171-15 W, about 425 miles southeast of Midway and 300 miles West of French Frigate Shoal on a westerly course to land Marine VMSB's on Midway. When attack was made the Task Force was ordered to turn toward Pearl and later directed to intercept the enemy and destroy enemy carriers. INDIANAPOLIS as Task Force THREE, Minron 2 less Mindivs 5 and 6 at Johnston exercising at landing exercises using landing boats. MINNEAPOLIS and Mindiv 5 at sea S. W. of Oahu normal operations. Mindiv 6 in port, with NEW ORLEANS and SAN FRANCISCO under overhaul.
TASK FORCE SEVEN
At Midway ................. 2 SS
At Wake ................... 2 SS
At Mare Island ............ 5 SS
At San Diego .............. 4 SS
En route to Pearl ......... 4 SS
At Pearl .................. 5 SS
PELIAS .................... 1 AS
PROCEEDINGS
OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1605
TASK FORCE NINE
VP-21 At Midway, 7 searching 120-170 450 miles.
4 on 10 minutes notice ..................... 11
VP-11-4 hours notice .......................... 12
VP-12-30 minutes notice ....................... 6
4 hours notice .......................... 5
VP-14 In air (with depth charges) ............. 3
30 minutes notice ....................... 3
4 hours notice .......................... 4
VP-22-4 hours notice .......................... 12
VP-23 4 hours notice .......................... 11
VP-24-4 in air conducting tactics with SS ..... 4
on 30 minutes notice .................... 1
Total ......................................... 72
Overhauling ................................... 9
Total ......................................... 81
[3] TANGIER In port.
CURTISS In port
McFARLAND
HULBERT
THORNTON
All planes on the ground on
ready notice had been furnished with a search directive in the event that any contacts
with surface forces were developed by the early morning search. This plan never
became effective because damage to the planes prevented.
MARINE PLANES
VMF 221 .......................... Wake
VMSB 231 ......................... Enroute Midway LEXINGTON
VMSB 232 Ewa 4 hours notice....... 18
VMJ 252 Ewa ...................... 2
BASE FORCE
ARGONNE, plus auxiliaries and repair vessels, were in port.
Aircraft of Base Force
VJ-1—— 9 J2F Pearl
9 JRS Pearl
VJ-2——10 J2F Pearl
4 PBY-1 ................... (2 at Johnston)
VJ-3—— 1 J2V ..................... Pearl
4 JRB ..................... At Maui
1 JRF
2 BT
In addition the tenders
(destroyer) DOBBIN and WHITNEY were in port and the submarine tender PELIAS.
The Task Forces shown herein,
except EIGHT and TWELVE which were on special missions to improve war readiness
of Wake and Midway, were in accordance with the organization of the Pacific
Fleet which had been effective since 30 April 1941, and revised on 31 October
1941. The Task Forces were operating in accordance with the approved employment
schedule of the Fleet and the special tasks assigned. It will be noted that all
combatant vessels were assigned to Task Forces. This assignment was in
accordance with their war missions and all training was conducted with that in
mind
(b) The Fleet was operating
under the "security plan" originally issued on February and revised
on 14 October 1941. [4] This provided for the possibility of a declaration of war being preceded
by:
(a) A surprise attack on
ships in Pearl Harbor,
(b) A surprise submarine
attack on ships in the operating area
(c) A combination of both.
1606
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
The provisions of the
security measures were always followed by ships in the operating areas even to
the point of having ready ammunition at the guns. Frequent surprise drills were
held by ships in Pearl Harbor, in coordination with Army and distant activities
to test the provisions of the security measures against air and submarine
attacks on ships in port. Since, however, the times in port had to be devoted
to upkeep, and limited recreation periods, and since the intelligence
information indicated complete security from any surprise air attack, the
provisions of the air security plan were not fully effective in port At the
time of the attack, however, provisions had been made and were in effect to
provide against sabotage on ships, docks and equipment. And all ships had armed
patrols and careful routine inspections of the ships during the entire time in
port. In the battleships, two machine guns were always manned and ready and two
5"/25 guns were manned with stand-by crews and 16 rounds of ammunition at
each gun.
(c) In addition and as
provided in the Security Plan, a daily search of all operating areas was
conducted by planes of Patrol Wing TWO. This was an early morning search of
about 200 miles to cover the general areas in which the Fleet would be
operating during the day.
Such a search was being
conducted on 7 December and planes on that search were in the air at the time
of the attack. In addition, 4 planes were operating with submarines in the
training of inter-type exercises for communication and recognition. They
searched the area toward Lahaina Roads on that morning.
(d) The first indication of
any enemy force in the area was the appearance of a submarine close aboard the
ANTARES returning from Canton Island and preparing to enter Honolulu while
towing a barge. This submarine was attack by a destroyer of the off-shore patrol
which was called by the ANTARES. This was at about 0645. In addition, plane one
of VP-14 dropped a bomb on a submarine off the entrance to Pearl. In this
connection numerous sonic contacts had been reported in the operating waters
close to Pearl during the last six months but no actual visual [5] contacts had
been made. In addition no attacks had been made on these suspected submarines
because the Navy Department had prohibited such attacks except within the 3
mile limit. When the international situation grew more tense, however, the
Commander-in-Chief directed ships to attack submarines suspected to be
operating this area, and it was on this authority that the WARD and VP-14
attacked on the morning of 7 December.
These submarine attacks were
followed by a report from the Navy Signal Tower "Enemy air raid, this is
not a drill" at about 0752. It will be noted that the attack occurred
while the crews of ships were just finishing breakfast on Sunday morning.
The information regarding
the air raid was sent to all Task Forces at 0800, followed by a dispatch
"Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl" at 0812.
The effect of the surprise
attack and the damage inflicted with damage to communications made it
practically impossible to organize an air search except by the 7 PBY's in the
air at the time.
(e) At 0817
Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, directed Patrol Wing TWO to search for the
enemy, and the PBY's in the air started to search. The 3 on the morning search
started to search sector 3100-000 to a distance of 300 miles. The first plane
started out at once.
The 4 PBY's operating with
the submarines started search sector 245-285 to 300 miles out, the first plane
of that search got away at about 0945.
No plane in those areas
searched saw anything. At 0830 Commander-in-Chief advised Task Force THREE,
EIGHT and TWELVE to rendezvous as directed by Commander Task Force EIGHT and
stated that instructions would be issued as soon as enemy was located.
(f) While it appeared
logical that the attack should come from the northward so that the planes would
fly down wind with their loads, no such evidence was available from the nature
of the attack. Certain information indicated that carriers or enemy forces were
operating to the southward. A direction finder bearing of radio transmissions
at 1046 was received to indicate that an enemy force bore 178 from Pearl. This
was not a positive indication of an enemy position but did indicate the
probability of an enemy carrier to the southward. A message was received from a
ship with the MINNEAPOLIS call at 0950 stating that carrier had been sighted.
The MINNEAPOLIS was then south of Oahu. At 1010 4 DM's sent a message that they
were in area Sail 2 and that two carriers
PROCEEDINGS
OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1607
were in sight. This was
later corrected to say the message should have been NOT in sight.
[6] In addition, a message
from Kaneohe received at 1000 stated "Captured enemy have marked
positions, bearing 223 90 miles from Pearl Harbor." These marks in
Japanese script were later found not pertinent to the attack.
This information was passed
to Task Forces at sea as an indication of probable location of enemy forces In
addition, at 1018 the Task Force Commanders were advised that there were only
12 VP's available in Pearl for search and that there was some indication that
the enemy was to the northward. They were directed to locate and attack the
enemy of unknown composition. Search was instituted at once by Task Force EIGHT
who was then somewhat west by south of Pearl. At 1020, 16 VSB from ENTERPRISE
loaded with 1000 lb. bombs were launched to search for and attack a reported
group of 4 transports off Barber's Point. The origin of the report about the
transports is unknown and it probably was enemy deception because surface craft
proceeding to attack them were attacked by enemy submarines in that area. Ships
that could so cleared the harbor by this time and were organized as a separate
Task Force ONE at 1105 and directed to report to Commander Task Force EIGHT to
assist in locating and destroying the enemy.
(g) It was not possible to
start an organized search with aircraft with the forces on Oahu until the late
morning. By about 1100, however, in addition to the 7 PBY's which had started
the search between 0815 and 0915, as the planes became serviceable they were
started on the following searches:
Army—2 B-17
2 A-20A
3 B-18
3 B-17 095-165, 300 miles
Navy—4 planes VP-24, 245-275, 300 miles
2 planes VJ, 355-005, 300 miles
3 planes VP-14, 295 350, 200 miles
4 planes VP-23, 215-245, 200 miles
Battleship & Cruiser Planes
6 VOS, 135-215, 200 miles
9 SBD, 330-030, 200 miles
6 J2F in westward sector
[7] The concentrated air
search was conducted to the northward and westward because of the belief that
the major enemy attack force was in that direction. In addition, the
disposition of Task Forces at sea was such that they were able to search to the
southward.
At about 1345 one plane of
the ENTERPRISE reported contact with surface forces in position 20-32 N and
158-40 W, and followed closely by a report that the patrol was being attacked
by a VF plane. This report was apparently in error because the position is only
about 60 miles from Pearl.
At 1330 a radio direction
finder bearing on an enemy frequency and by a ship using the "AKAGI"
call was picked up and gave a bearing of 183 from Pearl and another unidentified unit was found to be on
bearing 167 from Pearl. This information was passed to the Task Forces at sea
and on that information and the supposition that any enemy forces in the area
south of Oahu would retire, toward Jaluit, the senior Task Force Commander at
sea directed Task Force TWELVE at 1552, to intercept and destroy the enemy. In
addition, Task Force ONE which had joined Task Force EIGHT was directed to
proceed to search with surface force and attack. The surface force search was
also based on a retirement toward Jaluit.
No contacts were made and
the enemy was not located, except that 2 planes from the cruiser NORTHAMPTON
made contact with an enemy fighter at 1120 just north of NIIHAU and after 20
minutes in spite of the enemy superior speed and gun power succeeded in
shooting him down. No report of this attack ever reached the
Commander-in-Chief.
From the chart later
discovered from enemy planes, shot down there is no indication that any
carriers operated to the southward of Oahu. The charts do indicate, however,
that the attack was launched from a point about 200 miles to the northward and
that the carrier retired to the northward at full speed while waiting planes to
return from the attack. (It appears then that the enemy carriers in his area
were well beyond the daylight search curve of the planes sent out to find them
and therefore were successful in evading all contacts with our air forces in
the area).
1608
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
The search by surface craft
carrier aircraft and their ship-based planes to the southward was not
successful. It appears probable that the enemy used radio deception by placing
a ship to the southward to use deceptive radio calls, to indicate the presence
of enemy forces in that area. It may be possible, too, that if enemy forces
were in that area that they retired at high speed to the South. Ward beyond the
range of our ships and aircraft. [8]
(h) At 0800 the positions of
the ships at sea were approximately as follows:
Task Force TWELVE 18-30 N
168-40 W
Task Force EIGHT 128-50 N
158-50 W
Task Force ONE 20-32 N
159-45 W
Task Force TWELVE was
proceeding on course 170 at 17 knots. His position was in the area to the
northwestward of Johnston Island. The cruiser planes searched to the northward
of the island and the carrier planes in a southeasterly direction to a distance
of 200 miles for the 0800 position.
In addition, the planes of
VP-21 departed Midway and searched the area from Midway to Johnston and then
from Johnston to Pearl Harbor. Six planes of Patwing TWO searched the sector
with the median of 220 from Pearl
Harbor to a distance of 550 miles. The planes from the ENTERPRISE searched the
sector 315 to 270 from the carrier's daylight position.
By these searches
practically the entire area in the Oahu-Midway-Johnston Island triangle was completely
covered.
In addition, the available
planes of Patwing TWO searched an area of 200 miles all around Oahu. It was not
possible to extend this search further to seaward because of the small number
of available planes.
(i) Because Task Force EIGHT
was low in fuel, that Force entered Pearl Harbor after dark on 8 December,
fueled, provisioned and took on ammunition and departed for sea before daylight
on 9 December.
9 December
On 9 December the position
of Task Force TWELVE was about 600 miles S. S. W. of Oahu proceeding toward the
island. A 200 mile search was being conducted in the morning all around the
carrier position during the morning and a 150 mile search along the line of the
carrier course during the afternoon.
After departure from Pearl
Harbor Task Force EIGHT proceeded to the northeastward from Oahu for search
operations in that area.
Task Force ONE returned to
port on 9 December.
[9] Using Oahu based planes
the following search was conducted starting in the morning of 9 December:
300-010 500 miles 10 VP
010-060 300 miles 10 B-18
060-210 200 miles 18 VSO
210-030 300 miles 6 VJ
and in the afternoon
330-020 4 Army B-20
The sector to the southwest
of Oahu was covered by the LEXINGTON planes as mentioned before.
No contact with enemy or
surface forces were made. Numerous submarines were reported, probably many
false contacts, but all were attacked by planes.
PROCEEDINGS
OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1609
EXHIBIT NO 40. (NAVY PACKET
NO. 2) ROBERTS COMMISSION
Cincpac File NO.
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
U.S. S. PENNSYLVANIA,
Flagship
Location of regularly
assigned commanding officers of ships present during Japanese attack of 7 December 1941
BATTLESHIPS
Name
of ship |
Navy |
Marines |
Captain
on board |
Name
of captain |
NEVADA |
1477 |
75 |
No
(enroute to ship) |
F.
W. Scanland |
WEST
VIRGINIA |
1543 |
83 |
Yes
(killed) |
M.
S. Bennion. |
MARYLAND |
1548 |
75 |
Yes |
D.
C. Godwin. |
CALIFORNIA |
1548 |
75 |
No(enroute
to ship) |
J.
W. Bunkley. |
ARIZONA |
1507 |
81 |
Yes
(killed) |
F.
Valkenburgh. |
TENNESSEE |
1544 |
81 |
No(enroute
to ship) |
C.
E. Reordan. |
PENNSYLVANIA
(overhaul) |
1507 |
113 |
Yes |
C.
M. Cooke, Jr. |
OKLAHOMA |
1477 |
75 |
Yes |
H.
D. Bode. |
M.
B. PH |
472 |
13 |
MB
NAS PH |
100 |
2 |
Depot
Supplies PH |
34 |
2 |
N.
A. Depot |
166 |
3 |
66th
Defense Bn |
800 |
30 |
CRUISERS—HEAVY
NEW
ORLEANS |
914 |
41 |
No |
Good. |
SAN
FRANCISCO |
|
|
Yes |
D.
J. Callaghan. |
CRUISERS—LIGHT
HELENA |
981 |
41 |
Yes |
R.
H. English. |
PHOENIX |
875 |
41 |
|
|
RALEIGH |
623 |
0 |
Yes |
R.
B. Simons. |
HONOLULU |
975 |
41 |
Yes |
H.
Dodd. |
SACRAMENTO |
157 |
|
|
|
ST.
LOUIS |
981 |
41 |
Yes |
G.
A. Rood. |
DESTROYERS
HULL |
180 |
|
Yes
|
R.
F. Stout. |
CASSIN |
|
|
Yes |
D.
F. J. Shea. |
HENLEY |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
R.
H. Smith. |
BLUE |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
H.
N. Williams. |
PATTERSON |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
F.
R. Walker. |
DEWEY |
|
|
Yes |
A.
J. Detzler |
BAGLEY |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
G.
A. Sinclair. |
RALPH
TALBOT |
|
|
Yes |
Ralph
Earle Jr. |
JARVIS |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
J.
R. Topper. |
REID |
|
|
Yes |
H.
F. Pullen. |
MUGFORD |
|
|
Yes |
E.
W. Young. |
HELM
(being
depermed) |
|
|
Yes |
C.
E. Carroll. |
CASTOR |
|
|
Yes |
H.
J. Wright. |
HULBERT
(in
drydock) |
|
|
Yes |
J.
M. Lane. |
DOWNES |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
W.
R. Thayer. |
CONYNGHAM |
|
|
Yes |
H.
C. Daniels. |
MONAGHAN |
|
|
Yes |
W
P. Burford. |
WASMUTH |
|
|
Yes |
J.
L. Wilfong. |
HENLEY |
|
|
No
(aboard TREVOR) |
R.
H. Smith. |
THORNTON |
|
|
No |
W.
F. Kline. |
1610 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
Location of regularly assigned commanding officers of ships present during Japanese attack of 7 December 1941-Continued.
SUBMARINES
Name
of ship |
Navy |
Marines |
Captain
on board |
Name
of captain |
TAUTOG |
54 |
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
J.
H. Willingham Jr. |
NARWHAL |
|
|
No(enroute
to ship) |
C.
W. Wilkins. |
DOLPHIN |
|
|
No(enroute
to ship) |
G.
B. Rainer |
CACHALOT |
|
|
Yes |
W.
N. Christensen. |
SUBMARINE TENDER
PELIAS |
612 |
|
Yes |
W.
Wakefield. |
WIDGEON |
|
|
Yes |
J.
A. Flenniken. |
REPAIR SHIP
MEDUSA |
720 |
|
Yes |
A.
E Schrader. |
VESTAL |
|
|
Yes |
C.
Young. |
SUPPLY
SHIP
ANTARES |
193 |
|
Yes |
L.
C. Grannis. |
HOSPITAL SHIP
SOLACE |
390 |
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
B.
Perlman. |
MINE LAYERS
OGLALA |
320 |
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
E.
P. Speight. |
OILER
RAMAPO |
173 |
|
Yes |
D.
Curry, Jr. |
NEOSHO |
160 |
|
Yes |
J.
S. Phillips. |
DESTROYER TENDERS
WHITNEY |
660 |
|
Yes |
N.
M. Pigman. |
DOBBIN |
660 |
|
Yes |
H.
E. Paddock. |
RIGEL |
557 |
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
R.
Dudley. |
AIRPLANE TENDERS
AVOCET |
63 |
|
Yes |
W.
C. Johnson, Jr. |
SWAN
(Under repairs) |
|
|
Yes |
F.
E. Hall. |
MISCELLANEOUS AUXILIARY
SUMNER |
206 |
|
Yes |
I.
W. Truitt. |
UTAH |
576 |
|
No
(on authorized shore leave) |
J.
M. Steele. |
PYRO |
200 |
|
Yes |
N.
Vytacil. |
SEAPLANE TENDER
CURTISS |
572 |
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
H.
S. Kendall. |
PROCEEDINGS OF ROBERTS COMMISSION 1611
Location of regularly assigned commanding officers of ships present during Japanese attack of 7 December 1941-Continued.
MINE SWEEPERS
BOBOLINK |
66 |
|
Yes |
J.
L. Foley. |
VIREO
(upkeep) |
|
|
Yes |
F.
J. Ilsemann. |
TURKEY |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
T.
F. Fowler. |
TERN |
|
|
Yes |
W.
B. Pendleton. |
OCEAN GOING TUG
ONTARIO |
53 |
Yes |
|
F.
C. Mayer. |
CARGO SHIP
CASTOR |
183 |
|
Yes |
H.
J. Wright. |
SEAPLANE TENDER (DESTROYER)
HULBERT |
114 |
|
Yes |
J.
M. Lane. |
THORNTON |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
W.
F. Kline. |
MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT SQUADRON
MTB
SQUADRON ONE |
86 |
|
No
(enroute to boats) |
W.
C. Specht. |
LIGHT MINE LAYERS
TRACY
(undergoing overhaul) |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
G.
R. Phelan. |
PRUITT
(undergoing overhaul) |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
E.
W. Herron. |
RAMSAY |
132 |
|
Yes |
G.
C. Simms. |
TREVER |
|
|
Yes |
D.
M. Agnew. |
MONTGOMERY |
|
|
Yes |
R.
A. Guthrie. |
GAMBLE |
|
|
Yes |
D.
A. Crandell. |
ZANE |
|
|
Yes |
L.
M. LeHardy. |
BREESE |
|
|
Yes |
H.
F. Stout. |
PREBLE |
|
|
Yes |
H.
D. Johnston. |
SICARD
(undergoing overhaul) |
|
|
No
(enroute to ship) |
W.
C. Schultz. |
The
following Flag and Commanding Officers were killed in action on 7 December 1941
at Pearl Harbor:
USS ARIZONA: Rear
Admiral Isaac C. KIDD, USN Dead.
Captain
Franklin Van Valkenburgh, USN Missing
USS WEST VIRGINIA: Captain
Mervyn S. BENNION, USN Dead.