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Hawaii's island Oahu had a very large port where many large naval ships were harbored. So if Japan could manage a surprise attack on this they could destroy the US naval power. Japan did achieve the surprise attack but did not wipe out its navy. Hawaii's location was basically in the middle between Japan and the US. So if Japan was able to destroy the battleships and aircraft carriers that were suppose to be stationed in Pearl Harbor, nothing would stop them from takin over island after island until it reached Hawaii. And from here they could bomb the Western coast for preperation of an ivasion. But an invasion of America would never be succesful.

Submitted by Mark Webb St. Louis, Missouri

Hawaii is strategic with respect to the United States since it forms a vital connection for resupply of even more remote outposts of the empire. Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, Guam, American Somoa, and the Phillipines. Remember, amatures study tactics, professionals study logistics. The Japanese failed to grasp that the port was only attacked and damaged. They utterly failed to render any significant lasting damage to the port itself. They lacked the resources to capture, let alone hold the entire Hawaiian Island Chain. Unable to accomplish a denial of use, the Japanese could only gain a tactical reduction in the effectiveness of Pearl Harbor. The port was never rendered unuseable.

Although Admiral Kimmel and General Short were At Fault by failing to implement accepted techniques for early warning and reaction. Admiral Kimmel did immediately launch a rescue effort for Wake Island. Only his removal upset this plan, and his even more incompetent and weaker successor backed out and left the troops on Wake to fight to virtually the death. Failure to act in support of Wake Island may have been a missed opportunity to inflict an early defeat on Japan.

In that the out-posts of the United States were thereafter left to their own devices, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor may be considered a Strategic Success, albeit a temporary one.

The entire thought process of the Japanese in launching an attack on the Americans was enigmatic. A process where by you induced your most powerful potential foe in to direct combat with an unfounded belief in the vunerablity of their will, is a bit close to idiotic and indictative of Japanese arrogance. It was also illogical in that Japan really did not have to go to war with the United States. Japan received oil from Stalin throughout the war until the final weeks.

Most Americans have been taught that Japan surrendered because we droped the atomic bombs. That's not the case, the Japanese militarists only conceeded defeat to the United States after Russia declared war. Japanese extreamists couldn't care less about their own people. They only realized that Japan was not only going to lose the war, but that if they fought on they would likely lose parts of the home Islands to the Russians. They knew Uncle Joe would never give them back. That's the only reason Japan surrendered.

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8y ago
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16y ago

Pearl Harbor was, and still is the headquarters for the US Pacific Fleet, 2 (now, I believe, none) airfields and an operable navy yard with fuel tanks. When Japan lauched the attack, there were 2 waves, but there were supposed to be three. The third was built of A6M Zeroes to attack the Fuel Tanks, Navy Yard, and the submarine base. The reason it never happened was, quote "the American Force will be fully awakened, and possibly interceptors."

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15y ago

It's large enough to comfortably house any and all military forces and their families; and the islands themselves are strategically located nearly in the center of the Pacific Ocean...nearly the same distance from any other surrounding continent. It is equivalent to a small city (an Oasis) in the middle of a massive desert.

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14y ago

Hawaii was the center of American Naval Power in the Pacific. The destruction was intended to cripple the US Navy so that no force could be mustered against the Japanese expansion. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the US carriers were not in port.

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Q: Why did the pearl harbor attack take place in Hawaii?
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Did the pearl harbor attack take place in guadalcanal?

no, it took place in Hawaii.


Where exactly did Pearl Harbor take place?

Pearl Harbor is in Hawaii, which at the time was a US Territory. The Navy base at Pearl is still there. The main attack was against the ships and airfields on the island and several specific locations where attacked.


Where did Pearl Harbor takes place?

Pearl Harbor is in Hawaii.


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In what year was the bombing of Pearl Harbor?

The surprise attack and bombing by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, took place on December 7th, 1941.


Where did the Pearl Harbor take place?

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during the Second World War took place at the city of Pearl, Oahu, Hawaii, whose harbor was (and still is) a major American naval base.


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North America. (If you want to get more specific, it took place in the state of Hawaii)


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No. Pearl Harbor is in Hawaii. Sydney Harbour is at Sydney, Australia.


Where did the bombing of pearl harbour took place?

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii


What day of the week was Pearl Harbor attacked?

Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii occurred on 7 December 1941. It was a Sunday. Sunday.


Where did the bombing of pearl harbor take place?

Oahu Hawaii


What was a sargents name at Pearl Harbor when the bombing took place?

See website: Attack on Pearl Harbor