7 December 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, which led U.S. entry into World War II.

Nov. 26, 1941 strike formations of the Japanese Imperial Navy under the command of Vice Admiral Nagumo Chūichi ordered Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the fleet left the base in the Gulf of Hitokappu Kuril Islands and headed for Pearl Harbor. Japanese connection included six carriers: “Akagi”, “Hiryu”, “Kaga”, “Sekaku”, “Soryu” and “Dzyuykaku”, which housed 441 aircraft, including fighters, torpedo bombers, dive bombers and fighter-bombers. Escort carriers were 2 battleships, 2 heavy and 1 light cruiser and 11 destroyers (other sources – 9 destroyers and 6 submarines).

The purpose of the attack on Pearl Harbor was to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet in order to ensure freedom of action of the Japanese Army and Navy in the south-east Asia.

On the morning of December 7 aircraft from Japanese carriers launched strikes against airfields on the island of Oahu and on ships at anchor in the harbor of Pearl Harbor. Was 4 battleships sunk, 2 destroyers, 1 mine layer. Another 4 battleships, 3 light cruisers and 1 destroyer suffered serious damage. American aircraft losses were 188 aircraft destroyed, another 159 were seriously damaged. The Americans lost 2,403 men killed (more than 1000 on board the battleship exploded “Arizona”) and 1,178 wounded. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft – 15 dive-bombers, 5 torpedo bombers and 9 fighters. Sunk 5 midget submarines. Losses in men were 55. Another – Lieutenant Sakamaki – was captured. He He swam to shore after his midget submarine hit a reef.

In terms of immediate effect, the attack on Pearl Harbor turned into an incredible success for Japan, surpassed all expectations of those who planned the operation. Neutralization of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at 6 months allowed Japan to easily capture a large part of South-East Asia, including Hong Kong, Burma, Dutch East Indies, Malaya, Singapore and the Philippines.