Pearl Harbour Newsreel

[Subdeacon Joe]

 

 

[Sedalia Dave]

 

 

 

[Trailrider #896]

Read "Pearl Harbor Secrets" by Dr. Sewall Menzel. FDR promised Churchill we would get into war with Germany in spite of intense isolationist sentiment in the U.S. The only way to get around that was to get Japan to attack us without warning. FDR tried to get Pacific Navy to provoke Japan, but they wouldn't bite. Cracking Japanese codes, especially parts of JN25 led Washington to figure it was coming. Although advising Adm. Kimmel and Gen. Short to be on heightened alert, specific intel was intentionally withheld from them! (There is a scene in the movie, "Tora, Tora. Tora!" where Navy intel officer wanted to alert Pearl Harbor specifically, but Sec. of War said "No!")    When the attack happened, resistance to entering the war against both Germany and Japan disappeared.  It still took until Hitler declared war on us to get us into it in Europe. FDR promised Churchill that the main emphasis would be on the European Theater. 

[watab kid]

thanks had not seen these before unless they were part of of other presentations , its been a long time but having grown up in the aftermath of it i have been astounded at how quickly we have lost track of it and 911 these days - i was born 9  years after pearl but i knew of it from my earliest memories  , todays youth should know of 911 , im not sure they do , and im quite certain they never heard of pearl , we are looking at our 250th celebration this year , im not sure anyone cares anymore - seenm to be trying to tear it down more than celebrate its existence , 

 

i was deeply involved in a lot of efforts at our bicentennial , it was a great event , things started prepping for it years in advance , ive not seen that this time ---i hope im wrong , 

[Subdeacon Joe]

Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

My dad's birthday is December 7th.  He was a student at the Pipestone Indian Boarding School in Minnesota.  He made his way to the nearest city with a recruiting office and was there the morning of December 8th.  He was 16.

Edited December 7, 2025 by Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933

[Subdeacon Joe]