Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (December 7, 1941)
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070758A December
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AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL
DISTRIBUTION:
38… ACTION.
10/11… 12… 13… 16… OPDO… 38W…
20… NAVAIDE… 05…
BJ18507DECMX
Sammy Kaye’s Sunday Serenade (NBCR), December 7, 2 p.m. EST:
Great Plays: The Inspector General (NBCB), 2 p.m. EST:
Statement by the White House Secretary
Immediate Release to Press and Radio
December 7, 1941 2:25 p.m. EST
The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor from the air and all naval and military activities on the island of Oahu, the principal American base in the Hawaiian Islands.
S T E
The above statement given to:
THE AP
INS
UP
NBC
CBS
WOL-MUTUAL
TRANS-RADIO PRESS
WASHINGTON EVENING STAR
WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON TIMES-HERALD
THE NEW YORK TIMES
THE NEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
BRITISH PRESS SERVICE
BALTIMORE SUN
PHILADELPHIA RECORD
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Interruption of Giants-Dodgers football game (WOR), 2:26 p.m. EST:
AIRPLANES IDENTIFIED AS JAPANESE HAVE ATTACKED THE AMERICAN NAVAL BASE AT PEARL HARBOR
University of Chicago Roundtable: ‘Canada: A Neighbor at War’ (NBCR), 2:29 p.m. EST:
Statement by the White House Secretary
Immediate Release to Press and Radio
December 7, 1941 2:30 p.m. EST
A second air attack is reported. This one has been made on Army and Navy bases in Manila.
S T E
The above statement given to:
THE AP
INS
UP
NBC
CBS
WOL-MUTUAL
TRANS-RADIO PRESS
WASHINGTON EVENING STAR
WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON TIMES-HERALD
THE NEW YORK TIMES
THE NEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
BRITISH PRESS SERVICE
BALTIMORE SUN
PHILADELPHIA RECORD
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
2 HITS ON AIRPORT HICKAM FIELD OIL TANKS SET AFIRE PEARL HARBOR SKY FILLED WITH AMERICAN PURSUIT SHIPS
The World Today (CBS), 2:31 p.m. EST:
TRANSPORT SUNK 1300 MILES FROM SAN FRANCISCO APPARENTLY LOADED WITH LUMBER COMMERCIAL U.S. SHIP SUNK 700 MILES OFF COAST NAVAL BATTLE OFF HONOLULU
The Wake Up America Radio Forum (NBCB), 3 p.m. EST:
The Bob Becker Show (NBCR), 3 p.m. EST:
H. V. Kaltenborn (NBCR), 3:15 p.m. EST:
JAPANESE AIRPLANES BOMBING HONOLULU ADVERTISER BUILDING STRUCK KGU BUILDING HAS NEAR MISSES
FIVE PEOPLE KILLED IN HONOLULU CABINET MEETING AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT
Listen America (NBCR), 3:30 p.m. EST:
PARACHUTE TROOPS SIGHTED OFF HONOLULU
Clip from the New York Philharmonic Society broadcast (CBS), 3:35 p.m. EST (includes I Can Hear It Now 1948 recreation of John Daly’s broadcast):
JAPANESE NATIONALS IN PANAMA TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES THAT VERY HEAVY CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY OUR PEOPLE IN HONOLULU
U.S. Navy Department (December 7, 1941)
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
December 7, 1941, 3:50 p.m.
The Japs attacked Honolulu time about eight o’clock this morning. The first warning was from a submarine that was outside the harbor which was attacked by a destroyer with depth bombs. Result unknown. Another submarine was sunk by aircraft. They attacked with aircraft, with bombs and torpedoes. At least two aircraft were known to have a swastika sign on them. The attacks were in two divisions; first on the airfields and then on the navy yard. Severe damage. The Oklahoma has capsized in Pearl Harbor. The Tennessee is on fire with a bad list, and the Navy Yard is attempting to drydock her.
No. 1 drydock was hit by bombs. The Pennsylvania was in deck and apparently undamaged. There were two destroyers hit in drydock, one of them blew up. There was one destroyer in a floating drydock which is on fire and the deck is being flooded. Two torpedoes hit the sea wall between the Helena, which is 10,000 tons–6 in. cruiser, and the Oglala. The Oglala is heavily listed and can probably not be saved. She is on fire and is an old minelayer. The powerhouse at Pearl Harbor was hit but is still operating. The Honolulu powerhouse was presumably hit because there is no power on it. The airfields at Ford Island, Hickam, Wheeler and Kaneohe were attacked. Hangers on fire and Hickam Field fire is burning badly. The PBYs outside of hangars are burning. Probably heavy personnel casualties but no figures. So far as Block knows Honolulu was not hit. He does not know how many aircraft were brought down but he know personally of two. They have both been so busy he has not contacted Kimmel. There are two task forces at sea, each one of them with a carrier. He knows nothing further on that except that they are at seas. This came over the telephone and we are getting nothing out here whatever. Mr. Vincent called but I have given out nothing, pending further word from you. The Japanese have no details of the damage which they have wrought.
National Vespers (NBCB), 4 p.m. EST:
Sylvia Marlowe & Richard Dyer-Bennet (NBCR), 4 p.m. EST:
WCAE Pittsburgh Bulletin, 4 p.m. EST:
CBS News update, 4 p.m. EST:
Imperial GHQ (December 8, 1941)
大本営陸海軍部、十二月八日午前六時
帝國陸海軍は夲八日未明、西太平洋においてアメリカ、イギリス軍と戰鬪狀態に入れり。
Broadcast (NHK), 6 a.m. JST (December 8):
Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun (December 8, 1941)
我が陸海軍今曉邃に米英軍と戦闘状態に
入る西太平洋に決戦の火蓋
(大本營陸海軍部發表) (十二月八日午前六時) 帝國陸海軍は本八日未明西太平洋において米英軍と戦闘状態に入れり。
Honolulu Star-Bulletin (December 7, 1941)
OAHU BOMBED BY JAPANESE PLANES
Six known dead, 21 injured, at emergency hospital
Attack made on island’s defense areas
BULLETIN
SAN FRANCISCO (AP by Trans-Pacific Telephone) – President Roosevelt announced this morning that Japanese planes had attacked Manila and Pearl Harbor.
WASHINGTON (UP) – A White House announcement detailing the attack on the Hawaiian Islands read: “The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor from the air and all naval and military activities on the island of Oahu, principal American base in the Hawaiian Islands.”
Oahu was attacked at 7:55 this morning by Japanese planes.
The Rising Sun, the emblem of Japan, was seen on plane wingtips.
Wave after wave of bombers streamed through the cloudy morning sky from the southwest and flung their missiles on a city resting in a peaceful Sabbath calm.
According to an unconfirmed report received at the governor’s office, the Japanese force that attacked Oahu reached island waters aboard two small airplane carriers.
It was also reported that at the governor’s office, either an attempt had been made to bomb the USS Lexington, or that it had been bombed.
Within 10 minutes, the city was in an uproar. As bombs fell in many parts of the city, and in defense areas, the defenders of the islands went into quick action.
Army intelligence officers at Fort Shafter officially announced shortly after 9 a.m. the fact of the bombardment by an enemy but long previous Army and Navy had taken immediate measures in defense.
Oahu is under a sporadic air raid. Civilians are ordered to stay off the streets until further notice.
Civilians ordered off streets
The Army has ordered that all civilians stay off the streets and highways and not use telephones.
Evidence that the Japanese attack has registered some hits was shown by three billowing pillars of smoke in the Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field areas.
All Navy personnel and civilian defense workers, with the exception of women, have been ordered to duty at Pearl Harbor.
The Pearl Harbor Highway was immediately a mass of racing cars.
A trickling stream of injured people began pouring into the city emergency hospital a few minutes after the bombardment started.
Thousands of telephone calls almost swamped the Mutual Telephone Company, which put extra operators on duty. At the Star-Bulletin office, the phone calls deluged the single operator and it was impossible for this newspaper, for some time, to handle the flood of calls. Here also, an emergency operator was called.
Hour of attack: 7:55 a.m.
An official Army report from department headquarters, made public shortly before 11 a.m., is that the first attack was at 7:55 a.m. Witnesses said they saw at least 50 airplanes over Pearl Harbor.
The attack centered in the Pearl Harbor area, Army authorities said, “The Rising Sun was seen on the wingtips of the airplanes.”
Although martial law has not been declared officially, the city of Honolulu was operating under M-Day conditions.
It is reliably reported that enemy objectives under attack were Wheeler Field, Hickam Field, NAS Kaneohe Bay and Pearl Harbor.
Some enemy planes were reported shot down. The body of the pilot was seen in a plane burning at Wahiawa.
Oahu appeared to be taking calmly after the first uproar of queries.
Anti-aircraft guns in action
First indication of the raid came shortly before 8 a.m. when anti-aircraft guns around Pearl Harbor began sending up a thunderous barrage.
At the same time, a vast cloud of black smoke arose from the naval base and also from Hickam Field where flames could be seen.
Bomb near governor’s mansion
Shortly before 9:30 a.m., a bomb fell near Washington Place, the residence of the governor. Gov. Poindexter and Secretary Charles M. Hite were there.
It was reported that the bomb killed an unidentified Chinese man across the street in front of the Schuman Carriage Company building where windows were broken.
C. E. Daniels, a welder, found a fragment of a shell or bomb at South and Queen Streets which he brought into the City Hall. This fragment weighed about a pound.
At 10:05 a.m. today, Gov. Poindexter telephoned to the Star-Bulletin announcing he has declared a state of emergency for the entire territory. He announced that Edouard L. Doty, executive secretary of the major disaster council, has been appointed director under the M-Day law’s provisions.
Gov. Poindexter urged all residents of Honolulu to remain off the street, and the people of the territory to remain calm.
Mr. Doty reported that all major disaster council wardens and medical units were on duty within a half-hour at the time the alarm was given.
Workers employed at Pearl Harbor were ordered at 10:10 a.m. not to report at Pearl Harbor.
The mayor’s major disaster council was to meet at the City Hall at about 10:30 this morning.
At least two Japanese planes were reported at Hawaiian Department headquarters to have been shot down. One of the planes was shot down at Fort Kamehameha and the other back of the Wahiawa Courthouse.
Damage done around the city
At 9:38 a.m., a live wire was reported down at Richards and Beretania Streets.
At 9:42 a.m., Nuuanu above Vineyard, a gas line was leaking.
At 9:44 a.m., at 2840 Kalihi St., a bomb on the road. There was a mysterious Japanese in a tent camped near there.
At 9:45 a.m., at 2683 Pacific Heights Rd., a bomb struck a house.
Report airplane crashes, Wahiawa
It was reported that an airplane, nationality undisclosed, crashed near the Hawaiian Electric Company plant at Wahiawa. It was destroyed by fire as were two houses near which it fell. The Army and police flung a guarding cordon around the location and civilians were kept at a distance.
Many injuries are reported
An unidentified Army witness arriving at Hawaiian Department headquarters about 9:30 a.m. reported that two oil tanks at Pearl Harbor were ablaze.
A bomb was reported to have struck at 9:25 this morning near 624 Ala Moana.
At 8:35 a.m., the Police Department broadcast a statement to all officers to warn persons to leave the streets and return to their homes. All soldiers, sailors and Marines off duty were ordered to report at once to their respective posts and stations.
Residents were ordered by radio not to use their telephones.
At 8:17 a.m., a Honolulan at Pearl Harbor Gate heard Marines ordered out.
Bomb hits home in Damon Tract
At 8:05 a.m., according to a police report, a bomb crashed through the kitchen of the home of Thomas Fujimoto, 610 East Rd., Damon Tract, while the family of three was eating breakfast. No one was injured, according to the police.
According to another police report, several persons were injured by a bomb dropping in Kalihi Street.
At 9:10 a.m., a report was made to the police that a wave of five dive bombers attacked the oil tanks at Pearl Harbor, the planes flying as low as a hundred feet.
At 9:10 a.m., the Pearl Harbor housing area was reported ordered evacuated.
At 9:12 a.m., according to the police, two planes were reported to have dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor Road.
At 9:13 a.m., the police received a report that a house on Alewa Heights had been bombed.
At 9:17 a.m., Damon Tract residents, according to a police report, were ordered evacuated and the police said nearby residents were cooperating in helping them leave the area.
Incendiary bomb at Fort and School
A wooden-frame house was split in half by an incendiary bomb at Fort and School Streets, about 9:20 a.m. Fire Department could not stop the flames. About 100 firemen are operating out of headquarters at Fort and Beretania Streets.
All departments of the Fire Department have been called at headquarters. At present, there are six companies operating. Three companies were sent to Hickam Field this morning. The firetrucks are sent out to investigate a fire and, after investigating and doing all possible to put it out, return to headquarters for the next assignment.
At 9:25 a.m., a bomb broke a power line at 625 Ala Moana.
At 9:26 a.m., a man was injured at Richards and Beretania Streets.
At 9:27 a.m., a sampan, heavily laden, was reported off Moanalua.
At 9:30 a.m., a bomb fell at Kuhio and Kalakaua Avenues. No one was hurt.
At 9:34 a.m., a Japanese plane was reported shot down at Wahiawa.
At 9:32 a.m., a bomb fell near E Street in Damon Tract.
At 9:36 a.m., a bomb hit on North School Street.
At 9:50 a.m., all truck drivers and motorboat operators of the U.S. Engineers and Hawaiian Constructors were ordered to report at Kewalo Basin.
All Legionnaires who are in the emergency police force were reporting to the police station. All Legionnaires who are not on the emergency police force are being held at the Legion Clubhouse, Kapiolani Boulevard, for call.
The emergency disaster council, headed by Maj. Robert Faus, was called and are at their posts at schoolhouses. Col. James R. Mahaffay and Joe McGettigan, coordinators, were on duty.
At 10:08 a.m., two Japanese were reported near the water tank at Sierra Drive and Wilhelmina Rise.
At 10:22 a.m., Yuz Marimatsu reported that his house at 758 Kaaloa St. was bombed. A five-inch shell went directly through the house, injuring no one.
A house at 1807 Liliha St. was reported bombed with no injuries.
Police have been ordered to guard vital spots throughout the city where soldiers have not yet been stationed.
Hundreds see city bombed
Hundreds of Honolulans who hurried to the top of Punchbowl seen after bombs began to fall, saw spread out before them the whole panoramas of surprise attack and defense.
Far off over Pearl Harbor, the white sky was polka-dotted with anti-aircraft smoke.
Rolling away from the Navy base were billowing clouds of ugly black smoke. Sometimes, a burst of flame reddened the black sources of the smoke.
Out from the silver-surfaced mouth of the harbor, a flotilla of destroyers streamed to battle, smoke pouring from their stacks.
Editorial: Hawaii meets the crisis
Honolulu and Hawaii will meet the emergency of war today as Honolulu and Hawaii have met emergencies in the past – coolly, calmly and with immediate and complete support of the officials, officers and troops who are in charge.
Gov. Poindexter and the Army and Navy leaders have called upon the public to remain calm, for civilians who have an essential business on the streets to stay off; and for every man and woman to do his duty.
That request, coupled with the measures promptly taken to meet the situation that has suddenly and terribly developed, will be needed.
In this crisis, every difference of race, creed and color will be submerged in the one desire and determination to play the part that Americans always play in crisis.
BULLETINS
Reported ‘dealt successfully’ with
WASHINGTON (UP) – Unconfirmed reports said tonight that U.S. forces “dealt successfully” with Japanese bombers over Hawaii and Manila.
Hull accuses Japanese of outright lies
WASHINGTON (UP) – Secretary of State Cordell Hull tonight angrily told Saburo Kurusu and Kichisaburo Nomura, Japanese negotiators, that their government’s answer to his memorandum was “crowded with infamous falsehoods and distortions.” Hull’s statement was read directly to Kurusu and Nomura after he read Japan’s document handed to him at 2:20 p.m. EST (8:50 a.m. HT).
The State Department thus far had not published the document. However, a department statement described the scene as follows:
“Hull carefully read the statement presented by the Japanese ambassador and with the greatest indignation said: ‘I must say that in all my conversations with you during the last nine months I never uttered one word of untruth. This is borne out absolutely by the record. In all my 50 years of public service I have never seen a document that was more crowded with infamous falsehoods and distortions – on a scale so huge that I never imagined until today any government on this planet was capable of uttering them.’”
Attacks on Hawaii understood continuing
WASHINGTON (UP) – White House Secretary Stephen Early issued a statement tonight declaring that Japanese attacks are continuing so far as the United States knows.
Mr. Early said that the Honolulu and Manila attacks occurred when both nations were “at peace” and within an hour or so of the time Nomura and Kurusu handed Secretary of State Hull the Japanese reply to Hull’s memorandum.
Mr. Early said the Army received distress signals from an American vessel, presumably a cargo ship, 700 miles west of San Francisco. “This indicates that Japanese submarines are strung out over the entire area,” Mr. Early said.
U.S. Army transport reported torpedoed
WASHINGTON (UP) – An Army transport was torpedoed 1,300 miles west of San Francisco, it was announced tonight.
Naval engagement reported off Honolulu
NEW YORK (UP) – NBC tonight reported a naval engagement in progress off Honolulu.
6 planes, 4 subs reported sunk
WASHINGTON (UP) – It was reliably reported tonight that anti-aircraft and naval action bagged six Japanese planes and four submarines during the Hawaii action.
Schools closed
All schools on Oahu, both public and private, will remain closed until further notice, Edouard L. Doty, territorial director of civilian defense, announced at 11 a.m. today. This does not apply elsewhere in the territory.
Guam bombed; attack on Manila reported repulsed
Paul Findelsen, radio editor of the Star-Bulletin, while listening in by shortwave this afternoon at his home at 2512 Waolani Ave., reports news items received by broadcast:
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“The island of Guam was subjected to a bombing attack this afternoon.
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“The Japanese also attempted to take Cavite in the Philippine Islands, but the attack was successfully repulsed.
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“Manila denies any reports of damage to that city.”
Mokapu attacked
A Mokapu resident reporting at Iolani Palace for emergency duty reported the first bomb at 8:10 a.m. today took NAS Kaneohe Bay there completely by surprise and struck and set fire a large seaplane moored on the eastern side of the hangers in the bay.
Bombers exploded oil tanks causing such a conflagration that the hangers could not be seen but it is certain that they were in great danger.
Another plane was struck and set on fire at Kokokahi near the Coral Gardens.
A witness reported that there was no answering gunfire from the base and no planes went up to drive off the attackers. As the enemy planes swooped low and machine-gunned the base, scattered rifle fire was directed at them.
Witnesses said the Japanese machine gunners’ marksmanship was very poor.
HRT buses run on reduced schedule
Addison E. Kirk, president and general manager of the Honolulu Rapid Transit, reported that although there were several hits by bombs on overhead power wires, the company is running its buses on a reduced schedule.
Parachutists land on Oahu, Army reports
Parachute troops wearing blue uniforms and red shields have landed on Oahu, Army authorities reported to police at 1:10 this afternoon.
Parachutist report is probed by police
An unidentified parachute was seen to land at St. Louis Heights about 2 p.m., it was reported. Lookouts reported to the police within five minutes and an investigation was started.
Sixteen provisional policemen and all regular patrolmen in that district were ordered to proceed to the area behind St. Louis College and make a search.
The landing was made at Makapuu, according to the report.
Suspicious group probed by police
A guard patrolling a water tank at Diamond Head Circle reported he had observed a suspicious group of Japanese at a Monsarrat Avenue address at 2 p.m., and a squad of police was sent to investigate.
Bombs hit many sections of city
Bombs rained from the skies on many sections of Honolulu this morning during the Japanese attacks.
A bomb fell about 200 feet from Iolani Palace during the second bombing raid at 11:30 a.m. Observers estimated it was about a 25-pound bomb.
Names of dead, injured
The city emergency hospital reported at 10:30 a.m. a list of six killed and 21 injured.
The complete list will be carried later. Here is a partial list:
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Peter Lopes, 34, of 2641 Kamanaiki St., was reported at 9:30 a.m. to be in serious condition from wounds in the upper abdomen.
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Bernice Gouveia, 12, 2708 Kalihi St., is suffering from a mangled thigh, lacerations on the right leg and left arm.
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A Portuguese girl, unidentified, 10 years old, died on arrival from puncture wounds.
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Another victim who died on arrival was Frank Ohashi, 29, 2705 Kamanaiki St., from puncture wounds in the chest.
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Cecelia Broadly, 38, Moanalua Gardens, was released from the hospital after treatment for lacerations.
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Three were reported injured and one reported killed from the bomb that fell at Fort and School Streets.
JAPS HAVE STARTED NEW AIR RAID ON HONOLULU
News (NBCB), 4:30 p.m. EST:
News (NBCR), 4:30 p.m. EST:
Honolulu Star-Bulletin (December 7, 1941)
DEATHS OVER 400 ON OAHU, LATEST REPORT
Tokyo announces ‘state of war’ with U.S. – Japanese raids on Guam, Panama are reported – Oahu blackout tonight, fleet here moves out to sea
Four waves start at 7:55 a.m., Oahu hit in many places
Paul Goo home struck
Damage done by a Japanese bomb when it struck the home of Paul Goo at Liliha and Kuakini Streets in the first raid on Oahu.
BULLETIN
TOKYO (AP) – Imperial Headquarters announced at 6 a.m. Monday (10:30 a.m. HT) that Japan had entered a state of war with the United States and Great Britain in the Western Pacific from dawn today.
(AP) – Honolulu and Oahu came through a baptism of fire today with calm and determination as wave after wave of Japanese bombers rained missiles all over the island.
At 3 p.m. this afternoon, Army, Navy, the police and various civilian agencies were on a war footing, and faced possible further attacks with undaunted vigor and courage.
The police reported that, based on information from the city emergency hospital and the morgue, there are 25 known dead and 56 known injured in the bombing raids.
In Washington, President Roosevelt announced that the raids were by Japanese bombers.
A United Press dispatch at 3 p.m. said that estimates given out in Washington are that 400 are dead and 300 injured of the Army forces on Oahu alone.
Japanese raiding planes struck hardest at the Army and Navy bases, but the city of Honolulu itself suffered severe damage.
Deaths on Oahu are reported at more than 400, counting Army and civilian fatalities. Navy casualties have not been announced. Estimate of the Army deaths was given out in a White House statement in Washington tonight.
Unconfirmed reports this afternoon, based on fragmentary broadcast reports heard on mainland stations, were that both Guam and Panama had been attacked by the Japanese. Press association dispatches mentioned possible attacks on Manila, but there was no confirmation of this.
WASHINGTON (UP) – The White House tonight issued a preliminary estimate that 400 were dead and more than 300 wounded in the Armed Forces alone on Oahu. Civilian casualties were not mentioned.
NEW YORK (UP) – NBC tonight heard the Panama radio broadcast that a Japanese aircraft carrier was sunk off Honolulu.
SHANGHAI (UP) – The Osaka Mainichi reported from Tokyo today that Japanese Imperial Headquarters announced a naval battle between the Japanese and the British and U.S. fleets is going on “in the Western Pacific.”
(UP) – The U.S. Fleet steamed from Pearl Harbor Sunday after a Japanese dive bomber, torpedo plane and parachute raid on the great American naval and air base, causing heavy loss of life and property damage in an unprovoked assault which precipitated a general war in the Pacific.
Reportedly, the sound of gunfire was heard off Oahu and gun flashes were seen.
The White House confirmed reports of heavy damage and casualties in Pearl Harbor and announced also that the Navy reported to President Roosevelt an unidentified squadron of airplanes was sighted off Guam. The White House said it was unable to confirm reports of an attack on Manila.
Reportedly, Hawaiian officials have been expecting the attack for about a week and gave the raiders a warm reception.
Several planes are shot down
Attacking planes, several of which were reported shot down, clearly bore the insignia of the Rising Sun.
Hickam Field appeared to be the principal objective, but fires were also started on Ford Island in the middle of the harbor.
Reportedly, 50 planes attacked later and parachute troops were sighted. However, the parachutists were believed handled.
NBC said 350 were killed by a direct hit on Hickam Field.
The battleship Oklahoma, according to NBC, was also reported attacked and set afire in Pearl Harbor.
Gov. Joseph Poindexter of Hawaii declared a state of emergency and the islands operated under a prearranged plan.
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Roosevelt conferred with the Cabinet and then summoned congressional leaders. It was believed Mr. Roosevelt was preparing a message to a joint session of Congress asking a declaration of war, which was expected to pass as soon as asked.
Complete censorship established
The Navy established censorship immediately on all outgoing cable and radio messages. Army and Navy posts throughout the nation were mobilized. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox ordered Army and Navy men to wear uniforms at all times.
Damage at Pearl Harbor
Huge fires were raging in Pearl Harbor at 1:10 p.m. and five Navy vessels appeared to have been destroyed in the air raids.
One ship had turned over on its side. Fires raging on four other warships appeared to be gaining in intensity and they had settled low in the water.
The base itself apparently was extensively damaged in the raids and great clouds of smoke rose above it.
Patrols were scouring the hills above Pearl Harbor for parachute troops reported to have been seen in the vicinity.
