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