Pearl Harbor Gambit And the Strategy Behind the Attack

One of the most discussed military historical strategies is the Pearl Harbor Gambit. The word is also used to refer to the surprise strike of Pearl Harbor that happened on December 7, 1941, and caused the United States to join the World War II. The Imperial Japanese Navy initiated the attack and this altered the direction of history and had far-reaching repercussions. So what was the Pearl Harbor Gambit and what was the reason why Japan used so a bold and risky approach? This paper will discuss the Pearl Harbor gambit, its strategic value and events before and after the Pearl Harbor attack.

What Was the Pearl Harbor Gamble?

The Pearl Harbor Gambit is the move by Japan to portray an unexpected attack on the naval base of the United States in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The gambit term implies that Japan was playing a risky game hoping to have a big payoff at the expense of a potentially disastrous defeat. The leaders of Japan felt that they could get the advantage of the Pacific by delivering a dead blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and they would get the much needed resources, particularly the oil in Southeast Asia.

The attack was meant to undermine the United States capacity in countering the expansionist nature of the Japanese. Japan had already been involved in territorial conquests in both Asia and the Pacific and they feared that eventually the United States would intervene to halt their expansion. By crippling the U.S Navy based at the Pearl Harbor, Japan also hoped to gain more time to seize more territory and resources without the U.S. coming in to take them away.

The Pearl Harbor Gambit had however been a very risky step. Japan was aware that by attacking the U.S. they would probably get a good response but they never realized that the United States would regain and retaliate. The risk that Japan had undertaken at Pearl Harbor eventually cost them the battle of the Pacific.

The Strategic Value of Pearl Harbor.

In order to appreciate the Pearl Harbor Gambit, it is necessary to comprehend the strategic value of the Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor, which was situated in Hawaii, was the main center of the U.S. Pacific Fleet which was vital in the American military strength within the Pacific Ocean. During the years preceding the attack the United States had become more and more interested in international relations, particularly in the Pacific, and Japan had been enlarging its empire.

Japan had already invaded China and it was already taking control of territories in Southeast Asia. The necessity to obtain natural resources like oil, rubber, and so on was the main force of their expansion. Nevertheless, the United States had already put in place economic sanctions and trade embargo especially on oil as a result of Japanese aggressive activities in Asia. The leaders of Japan were of the opinion that by crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet; they would have time to get the resources they required without the United States attacking them with a military force.

Japanese saw Pearl Harbor as an ideal target. It harbored a huge percentage of the U.S Navy fleet including battleships, aircraft, and submarines. Japan wanted to destroy the ability of the U.S Navy to protect its interests in the Pacific by attacking Pearl Harbor so that they had opportunity to build their empire.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941 the Pearl Harbor attack took place in the early morning. Japan also opened a surprise attack by air, an attack, which involved a combination of fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes and directed them at the U.S military base assets. The assault was devastating and over 2,400 Americans were killed and many ships and aircraft destroyed or damaged. Three cruisers and eight battle ships were sunk or badly damaged in addition to almost 200 planes.

It was also a strategic mistake in certain aspects, yet the attack was carried out with precision and overwhelming force. Although the attack crippled a large portion of the U.S. fleet, it failed to destroy the important infrastructure at Pearl Harbor including oil storage facilities and dry docks, which would be instrumental to the recovery of the United States. More to the point, the attack awakenened the American people and the next day, a declaration of war against Japan occurred.

Although the attack was successfully tactically carried out in the short run, the strategic implications of the event in the long run were catastrophic to Japan. The US reaction to the attack was quick and resolute. The Pearl Harbor attack brought the nation together, and it resulted in an enormous mobilization of efforts towards the war. The world of World War II would continue to engage the United States in battles in both the Pacific and European front, which would ultimately see it win over Japan and its allies.

The Pearl Harbor Gambit Aftermath and Consequences.

The direct impact of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was the situation when Japan succeeded in its aim of crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet at least in the short term. Nonetheless, the 20 long term impacts of the Pearl Harbor Gambit turned out to be catastrophic to Japan. The United States was not holding back and immediately went into the war with a new meaning.

The U.S. participation in World War II was one of the greatest outcomes. Before the attack, the United States had experienced much isolationism. But the opinion of the people changed to a great majority in favor of war after Pearl Harbor. On December 8, 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan and shortly afterward Germany and Italy declared war on the United States which formally entered the world war.

The Pearl Harbor was also attacked and as a result the U.S. military forces were mobilized very rapidly. The United States started re-establishing the Pacific Fleet in the following months after the attack but this time centered on aircraft carriers and submarines as opposed to battleships. The capability of the U.S military to adjust and recover fast would play a decisive role in the conquest of Japan.

In the case in Japan, the attack did not work out. Although it at least provided Japan with a temporary edge in the Pacific, it also had the effect of antagonizing a highly aggressive and persistent adversary. The Navy and military forces of the U.S. would continue to launch a series of campaigns that would slowly retreat Japan until Japan finally surrendered in the year 1945.

The Pearl Harbor Gambit Legacy.

The Pearl Harbor Gambit is an unparalleled event in the history of the military. It points to the dangers of aggressive military action and the side effects that may be experienced when one deciphers underestimation of an opponent. Although the attack in Pearl Harbor had a short term tactical success, it has failed in its strategic endeavors which were eventually defeated by Japan.

The history of the Pearl Harbor remains to be learnt by the military strategists and historians. It is a lesson to learn the full meaning of the actions of the military as well as the necessity of thinking twice before being involved in dangerous gambits. The years after the attack, the Pearl Harbor has turned into an emblem of American strength and willpower, which allows the world to remember about the strength of unity and will in the face of difficulties.

FAQs

What is the Pearl Harbor Gambit?

The Pearl Harbor Gambit was Japanese plan of the surprise attack on the U.S, naval base at Pearl Harbor in order to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet in a bid to control resources in the Asian region.

What was the reason why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor?

Japan invaded the Pearl Harbor in order to undermine the U.S. Navy thereby lowering chances of the Americans interfering with the territorial growth of Japan in the Southeast Asian region as well as the Pacific.

What were the repercussions of the Pearl Harbor?

The assault caused the United States to engage in the World War II that finally caused the defeat of Japan. It also rallied the citizens of America and resulted into the hasty mobilization of the military.

What was the reaction of the U.S on the Pearl Harbor attack?

The next day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan, and was involved in World War II. The U.S. even initiated the reconstruction of the military strength, by concentrating on aircraft carriers and submarines.

So what can be learned about the Pearl Harbor Gambit?

The Pearl Harbor Gambit is a warning of the dangers of undervaluing an opponent, and how a military plan of action can backfire. It points to the fact that military actions should be viewed in long-term terms.