In recognition of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, here’s a couple of related posts that might be of interest.
First is a discussion of one possible future Pearl Harbor scenario involving our biggest naval vulnerability, shipyards and cranes.
"The Next Pearl Harbor – Shipyards"
Second is an alternate history vision of what might have happened if the Japanese had opted to invade and occupy Pearl Harbor after the attack instead of withdrawing.
"Japanese Invasion of Pearl Harbor"
I once researched another Pearl Harbor "what if." What if as the first Japanese aircraft wave hit, the Japanese two battleships, two cruisers and four destroyers to act as escorts, rounded Oahu and showed up at the entrance to Pearl Harbor. That was protected by two 8-inch coastal guns and two 14-inches at nearby Honolulu. One battleship would go for the 14-inchers and Aloha pier where five merchant ships were loaded with military supplies. The other battleship and cruisers could fire away into Pearl Harbor. I suspect they could have caused more damage than their attack aircraft did.
ReplyDeleteTimes have really changed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, the news would have a significant recognition of Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th and D-Day on June 6th.
Now there is hardly anyone still around who was alive for those events. They are sliding into history.
Lutefisk
We also forget the first ship sank by Imperial Japan was sunk over 3 years before Pearl Harbor--the USS Panay. During the Japanese invasion of China, on December 12,1937 they attacked the USS Panay which was escorting 3 US-flagged tankers and evacuating civilians. The Panay and the tankers were hit by 3 bombers and strafed by 9 fighters (wikipedia). The Captain was injured in the first attack run. The XO was wounded in the throat (non-fataly) and had to write the abandon ship order on note in blood (according to his son who was an astronaut on Apollo 8--https://www.npr.org/2007/12/13/17110447/a-japanese-attack-before-pearl-harbor) 43 sailors and civilians were injured and 3 died.
ReplyDeleteThis despite flying 3 US Flags and the ship having contacted the Japanese Army the day before. It was not an accident.
But the Japanese claimed it was and paid cash reparations to some of the survivors and the Roosevelt administration considered it case closed. Meanwhile in Japan, the hard-liners saw this as a sign of American weakness.
We've seen our ships "bumped" and threatened in the South China Sea and done...zip. If the Chinse ship sinks a ship doing one of these "show the flag" Freedom of Navigation ops in the Taiwan strait what will our response be? Especially, if they say "sorry, terrible mistake" like the Japanese did?
After the attack, out of 21 vessels damaged or sunk, we returned 18 to service including the battleships California and West Virginia which were sunk and refloated. We even recovered a floating dry dock that was sunk.
ReplyDeleteIn a modern Pearl attack, could any of our ships be repaired, let alone sunk and recovered in time to actually rejoin the fight? The USS Cole suffered a single (admittedly big) hit and took what, 3 years to get back into service?
Serious Question for COMNAVOPS : If they sank a nuclear warship in harbor--carrier or sub--do we have any idea how to recover one? How well the reactor are would survive sinking and can you imagine the howl from environmentalists? That last part sound like a joke but in a place as environmentally sensitive as Hawaii, and with a military that is constantly talking about going green...well you have to ask.
While I was in the Navy, working in nuclear power, I remember hearing about how old Soviet nuclear-powered ships were disposed by sinking in the ocean with the reactors still intact. That was not part of our official curriculum, so I can't say how much was true or just hearsay. Supposedly the reactors remained stable submerged in seawater. The long-term stability is yet to be seen. As for raising a sunk nuclear-powered ship, it shouldn't be much different from any other ship; I'm assuming.
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Now that it is Dec 8th,
ReplyDeleteMy preferred alt-History scenario, is "Final Countdown"
SPIs "Fast Carriers" included the scenario.
[Trying to warn Pearl Harbor of the impending Japanese attack]
Senator Chapman:
This is, uh, Senator Samuel S. Chapman, of the United States Senate on board the aircraft carrier Nimitz. Captain Yelland is here with me.
Pearl Harbor Radio Operator:
You're on a what?
Senator Chapman:
I repeat. I am Senator Samuel S. Chapman onboard the U.S.S. Nimitz.
Pearl Harbor Radio Operator:
Alright, whoever the hell you are. Use of military frequencies by unauthorized personnel is a felony.
Senator Chapman:
Now listen here, sir!
Pearl Harbor Radio Operator:
As we have no aircraft carrier Nimitz and no Captain Yelland I suggest, a**hole, that you stop impersonating some other a**hole and get off the air! You're wasting our time!
Senator Chapman:
How dare you talk to me that way!
That was a classic!! My father took me to the movies to see it as a kid, and he seemed to like it. Wish Id of heard his true thoughts about it, since he was aboard the California on Dec 7th...
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