Tag: Pearl Harbor

  • A Day That Changed The World

    A Day That Changed The World

    Today marks the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on the US Naval facilities at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and the Army Air Corps’ Hickam, Wheeler, and Bellows Fields. FDR declared it was a date that would live in infamy. It also marks a day that changed the world. It was the day that American manufacturing came to the fore and saved civilization.

    Prior to the attack, the US was not actively involved in combat in WWII. To that point, the only US contributions were relatively small amounts of material. Before lend-lease was enacted in March of 1941, the US had been supplying the Brits with some arms, food, clothing and medical supplies on a cash-and-carry basis. After the legislation, the US started to supply the Soviets as well. Iosep Vissarionovich Stalin is quoted as saying “Without the machines we received through lend-lease, we would have lost the war“. The US wound up providing the Soviets 400,000 jeeps and trucks, 14,000 aircraft, 8,000 tractors and 13,000 tanks. The US also provided rail equipment, 92.7% of the wartime production of railroad equipment by the USSR was supplied by Lend-Lease including 1,911 locomotives and 11,225 railcars.

    Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku

    After the Japs bombed Pearl, the US production behemoth was released. Yamamoto Isoroku, the Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy understood what the production capabilities of the US could do. He had traveled the US extensively while a student at Harvard in the 1920’s. Before the attack he is quoted as saying “if we have war with the United States, we will have no hope of winning unless the United States fleet in Hawaiian waters can be destroyed.” After, he said “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” And he was right.

    US defense spending in 1939 was a meagre – by today’s standard – $980 million, about as much as 3 F-22 fighters cost. And that was a substantial increase from the $69 million in 1938. By 1941 that number had increased to $1.8 billion, although that number included several relief programs and was not strictly spent on defense.

    In 1942 however, that number climbed to $9.2 billion and would continue to grow throughout the war, maxing out at $91 billion in 1944. By the end of the war, US defense spending topped $450 billion. But what was that money spent on?

    By the end of the war, US industries had churned out more than 27 million rifles and carbines, 2.6 million machine guns, 300,000 planes, 120,000 tanks, 193,000 artillery pieces, 55,000 anti-aircraft guns, more than 2 million trucks, more than 1 billion artillery shells, 41.4 billion rounds of small arms ammunition and 18 million tons – about 5500 ships – of merchant shipping.

    Ford Motor Company’s Willow Run assembly plant. During the war it produced 8,685 B-24 bombers. At peak production in late 1944, they produced one complete bomber every hour.

    In 1939, the US Navy had a total of 394 vessels in commission incuding 15 battle ships, 5 aircraft carriers, 36 cruisers, 58 submarines and 120-ish destroyers. The remainder were support vessels and the like. By the end of 1942, there were 1782 in commission with 282 surface combatants and 133 subs. In 1945 that number hits 6768 total in commission with 883 surface combatants and 232 subs. Keep in mind, those numbers are actual in-commission warships and do not include the losses. Total production for naval vessels in the US during the war was nearly 9000 ships and subs of all types. Those numbers do not include landing craft or merchant marine vessels. Nor do they include ships and other vessels produced for the Allied countries.

    The Suisun Bay, CA facility packed full of mothballed warships after WWII.

    By the end of the war, the US produced about 2/3rds of all the war materiel used by the Allies.

    Lend lease also provided food to the Allies, mostly the UK and USSR. Starting in 1941, the US sent more than a million tons of food to the UK by the end of 1942. The US supplied the UK with canned meat and fish, dried beans, evaporated milk, flour, starch, and concentrated orange juice. They also received raw materials like wool and leather. The Soviets got nearly 4.5 million tons of food aid – mostly canned and dried foods – nearly a quarter of the total lend lease tonnage they received.

    The US production also helped at the end of the war. US industries kept Europe fed and clothed throughout the reconstruction. More than 26 million tons of supplies were sent to the newly liberated European countries. That includes the 1.7 million tons delivered during the Berlin Airlift.

    The US was able to do all of this for several reasons. One of which was the availability of raw materials. Unlike the rest of the belligerents in WWII, the US had ready supplies of timber, iron, coal, oil, bauxite and most of the other raw materials needed for production.

    It also had foresighted men. Men like Andrew Jackson Higgins who, seeing war on the horizon, bought the entire 1939 crop of mahogany from the Philippines on spec. Higgins’ company built the LCVP – landing craft, vehicle and personnel – commonly known as the Higgins boat. Higgins Industries built 23,358 of the indispensable craft by the end of the war.

    I have to wonder if – God forbid – a major war broke out now if the country would be able to respond in the way it did in 1941. Is it even possible?

  • Lou Conter, Last Surviving Crewman of the USS Arizona Dies

    Lou Conter, Last Surviving Crewman of the USS Arizona Dies

    Louis Anthony Conter, the last survivor of the USS Arizona, has died. He was 102. Conter was born in Ojibwa, Wisconsin on September 13, 1921. He enlisted in the US Navy on 15 November 1939 and completed basic training in San Diego, California. He boarded the USS Arizona on January 24, 1940, with the rank of Quartermaster 3rd Class.

    https://twitter.com/USSArizona/status/1774880527386075153?s=20

    Conter was on watch on the quarterdeck station between the third turret and main deck, when the ship was attacked by a squadron of Japanese torpedo planes and bombers at 8 am. About five minutes later, Arizona was struck by a 1,760-pound bomb between the first and second turret, which ignited the ship’s ammunition magazine. The following explosion blew off the ship’s bow and lifted the battleship out of the water.

    As the ship burned and started to sink, it was hit by more Japanese projectiles. Meanwhile, Conter was aiding fellow wounded sailors, keeping them from jumping in the burning oil covering the water’s surface. When Conter was already knee deep in water, the Captain gave the order to abandon ship and Conter took to the lifeboats. Arizona sank in 9 minutes, taking the lives of 1,177 of her crew. Her 334 surviving crew struggled to escape the burning ruins, of which Conter saved several by pulling them out of the water into his lifeboat before rowing to shore. Following the attack, Conter spent several weeks helping to put out fires and recovering the bodies of the fallen.

    Shortly after the attack on Pearl, Lou attended flight school, getting his wings in  November 1942. He participated in several bombing raids in Black Cats – a black painted PBYs used for night bombing – in the South Pacific. He was shot down twice during the war but managed to use a raft to row to shore on both occasions. Conter went on to serve in the New Guinea campaign and the European theater at the end of the war.

    After the war, Conter joined the reserves and wound up seeing action in Korea aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. He retired from the Naval service in 1967 as a Lieutenant Commander.

    After his retirement from the Navy, Conter pursued a career as a real estate developer in California. Conter wrote a book about his life titled The Lou Conter Story in 2021; he turned 100 the same year. Following the death of Ken Potts in April 2023, Conter became the last known survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona.

    He died in Grass Valley, California on April 1, 2024, at the age of 102.

    Until Valhalla Lou.

  • A Date That Will Live In Infamy

    A Date That Will Live In Infamy

    Just before 0800 Hawaii time on 7 December 1941 some 350 japanese carrier aircraft, broken up into two waves hit targets at Pearl Harbor, Ford Island and Hickam Army Airfield. Ninety minutes after it began, the attack was over. The United States was officially at war with the Japanese Empire.

    2,008 sailors were killed and 710 others wounded; 218 soldiers and airmen were killed and 364 wounded; 109 Marines were killed and 69 wounded; and 68 civilians were killed and 35 wounded. In total, 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,143 were wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships. All of the Americans killed or wounded during the attack were legally non-combatants, given that there was no state of war when the attack occurred. Of the American fatalities, nearly half were due to the explosion of Arizona‘s forward magazine after it was hit by a modified 16-inch (410 mm) shell.

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt would deliver the following speech to a joint session of Congress the next day.

    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

    This powerful piece of oration has become known as the ‘Day of Infamy’ speech. Despite only being six and a half minutes long, the words of the speech still resound today.

    Shortly after this speech, Congress voted nearly unanimously to declare war on Japan. The only holdout was Jeannette Rankin of Montana.

  • Tulsi Gabbard Delivers a Message on Russia and Ukraine Sure to Tick off Everyone

    Tulsi Gabbard Delivers a Message on Russia and Ukraine Sure to Tick off Everyone

    Tensions on the border between Russia and Ukraine remain high. Vladamir Putin has threatened to invade the neighboring country just as he did in 2014, seizing the Crimea region and embarrassing the Western powers who sat idly by. In response to that threat of aggression, Joe Biden has done what he always does — fumbled about while projecting weakness.

    And while there’s broad disapproval of Russia’s behavior as a whole within the United States, there are sharp splits within different political factions on exactly what should be done. Tulsi Gabbard added to that debate today, releasing a message that’s sure to tick off everyone. Well, almost everyone.

    Judging by the social media response, the neoconservative types absolutely hated her message. They’ve long seen Tulsi Gabbard as the embodiment of evil. Personally, I don’t go that far, and while I don’t agree with all her foreign policy takes, I think she generally means well. I certainly don’t think she’s some moral derelict in comparison to those who propagated 20 years’ worth of wars that largely led to nothing but dead bodies and wasted money.

    Honestly, a lot of the people on the right attacking her should probably look in the mirror. Good intentions only go so far, and they often leave a string of dead bodies behind. Gabbard’s disposition on foreign conflict, having served herself, is far more isolationist than most, but I don’t believe that makes her inherently bad. Every situation should be judged on its own merits. What is the national interest involving Ukraine? I could make the case there is one, but that’s the point — the case needs to be made instead of just flippantly dismissing anyone who asks for more than “Russia bad” as a justification.

    Still, Gabbard’s comments aren’t just causing waves on the right. On the left, she’s already seen as a bit of a traitor, having developed an almost libertarian bent over the last few years. That she continues to go after the Biden administration, first on vaccine mandates, and now on foreign policy, bugs them. Democrats don’t take kindly to independent thinkers and Gabbard has never been one to stay in her lane. Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign can attest to that, may it rest in peace.

    But there are two ideological factions that will fully support Gabbard’s message, and they represent an incredibly odd pairing. Libertarians and right-leaning populists normally hate each other, but on this topic, they are perfectly in sync. Tucker Carlson has already slammed the idea of going to war with Russia over Ukraine and Libertarians generally oppose foreign entanglements of all types. So Gabbard may be despised by some, but she’s also making new friends along the way.

    As to the merits of her argument, I tend to agree that going to war over Ukraine would be foolhardy. The truth is that when Biden handed Putin Nordstream 2, we lost our biggest piece of leverage to hold Russia at bay. The time to fix this situation was early in the year. I’m also skeptical Putin even really wants to invade Ukraine.

    The right move here is to wait and see. The faux tough guy act Biden is putting on, threatening yet more economic sanctions, only makes us look impotent. The president should have given an ultimatum and then shut his mouth. But I digress, that would require having a chief executive who actually knows what he’s doing. December 8, 2021 By: Bonchie https://redstate.com/bonchie/2021/12/08/tulsi-gabbard-delivers-a-message-on-russia-and-ukraine-sure-to-tick-off-everyone-n488746

    Comment/Opinion: Rather than share my opinion, I thought it best to expand upon another recent comment made by Tulsi (tweet below) and with the recent commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an analysis from Dr. Shiva.

    One aspect to give weighty consideration to – “Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.”

  • Breaking: Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor

    Breaking: Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor

    There are reports coming from Hawaii that the Japanese have attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor and Schofield army barracks.

    https://youtu.be/46WdFKSdjZQ

    The attack commenced just before 08:00 Hawaii time. Some 350 japanese carrier aircraft, broken up into two waves hit targets at Pearl Harbor, Ford Island and Hickam Army Airfield. Ninety minutes after it began, the attack was over.

    2,008 sailors were killed and 710 others wounded; 218 soldiers and airmen were killed and 364 wounded; 109 Marines were killed and 69 wounded; and 68 civilians were killed and 35 wounded. In total, 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,143 were wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships. All of the Americans killed or wounded during the attack were legally non-combatants, given that there was no state of war when the attack occurred. Of the American fatalities, nearly half were due to the explosion of Arizona‘s forward magazine after it was hit by a modified 16-inch (410 mm) shell.