Both ships were coming back from missions from Midway and Wake Islands.. reports Indicate that rough seas and poor weather conditions prevented both ships from being home on time – which would have placed them in harbor for the Japanese attack.
Why were the aircraft carriers not at Pearl Harbor during the attack?
The three aircraft carriers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were out to sea on maneuvers. The Japanese were unable to locate them and were forced to return home with the U.S. carrier fleet intact. The battleship USS Arizona remains sunken in Pearl Harbor with its crew onboard.
Where were the carriers on December 7 1941?
Dawn on 7 December 1941 found Lexington, heavy cruisers Chicago (CA-29), Portland (CA-33), and Astoria (CA-34), and five destroyers about 500 miles southeast of Midway.
Were there aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor?
Official messages sent to Pearl Harbor’s commanders on November 27 stated “this dispatch is to be considered a war warning,” and warned that “an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days.” The Navy had seven carriers in service at the time.
Why were there no aircraft carriers in the Battle of the Atlantic?
Early in the War, large areas in the Atlantic could not be covered by land-based aircraft from Canada, Iceland, and Britain. Britain did not have enough fleet or light carriers to provide sufficient protection for convoys in those gaps.
Why didn’t Japan launch the third attack on Pearl Harbor?
A third wave was to have attacked these tank farms, along with U.S. Navy machine shops, stores and administrative centers. But the commander of the Japanese task force, Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo, cancelled the third wave and withdrew, fearing that his own ships were vulnerable to an American counterattack.
Why U.S. submarines survived the attack on Pearl Harbor?
2) Because the submarines were much smaller than all of the other boats in the U.S. Navy. 3) Because the Japanese were targeting U.S. submersibles instead. 4) Because the submarines were submerged and difficult to strike.
How close were Japanese carriers to Pearl Harbor?
At 6:10 AM, the first wave of planes took off from Japanese aircraft carriers, approximately 200 miles north of Oahu.
Did any ships survive Pearl Harbor?
The USCGC Taney is the only surviving ship that was present at Pearl Harbor navy base that day. Berthed at Honolulu Harbor the morning of the attack, the USCGC Taney readied her guns and began firing at attacking Japanese planes. The following day, December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan.
Did the Japanese have aircraft carriers in 1941?
Japan remained an innovator in aircraft carrier design and construction during the years leading to World War II, operating nine of them by 1941. Their largest carriers of the war were the Akagi and Kaga, each capable of launching over 90 aircraft.
How close were Japanese carriers to Pearl Harbor?
At 6:10 AM, the first wave of planes took off from Japanese aircraft carriers, approximately 200 miles north of Oahu.
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