War with Japan - WW II

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                                            War with Japan - WW II  Part 2

I say without hesitation, but with strong beliefs, that the dedicated historian and teacher of history is committed to the proposition that wisdom for the present and future is predicated upon the accurate knowledge of the past. However, from time to time those who have a vested interest in the events of history understandably find it to their advantage to manipulate the record so that incomplete or even erroneous conceptions are a temporary result, and it probably is happening today. Without question many sincere persons have been left with a wholly inadequate and misleading picture of the Pearl Harbor story. I deeply feel, in the long run, it has never been found to be beneficial to a nation that its citizens and its leaders should build on a false interpretation of the past.

The principal lines of the story as it has developed from the series of investigations during and since the war with Japan are these:

1. Despite his many public declarations to the contrary, President Roosevelt devoted much effort during the late 1930's and early 1940 to the involvement of the United States in the war then beginning in Europe, and finally toward our participation in the Pacific. For the President this was a radical departure from his erstwhile isolationist position which had caused him to boycott the London Economic Conference and in 1932 his speech before the New York State Grange, to declare: "American participation in the league would not serve the highest purpose of the prevention of war and a settlement of international difficulties in accordance with fundamental American ideals. Because of these facts, therefore, I do not favor American participation."

2. After a succession of moves in the Atlantic theater, in great measure kept secret from the American public, the President turned his major attention to the Pacific as a gateway to U.S. involvement in war.

3. According to facts, without denial, the President provided the Japanese a tempting target for an attack, then he baited their government by incendiary diplomacy.

4. President Roosevelt was aware well in advance of the interest of Japan in Pearl Harbor as a surprise raid target, and for nearly twenty-four hours before the attack he and his top aids in Washington knew when and where it would come, but not the Pearl Commanders.

What were the losses at Pearl Harbor?--- Battleships: Arizona, total loss...: California, West Virginia, sank in upright position at their births...: much later raised, repaired, and returned to active war service: Nevada, beached... to prevent sinking in deep water after extensive bomb damage–repaired to active war service: Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Tennessee, all received damage but of a less severe character. Smaller ships: Cruisers: Helena, Honolulu, and Raleigh were all damaged, but were repaired and returned to active war service; Destroyers: Two damaged beyond repair; two others damaged but repaired and returned to active war service...Target ship: Utah, former battleship, sank at her birth.

The U.S. military personnel casualties were:-- Navy, including Marine Corps, 2086 officers and enlisted men killed, 749 wounded; Army, including the Army Air Corps, 240 officers and enlisted men killed, 360 wounded. Total 3435.

In my view, the facts support that the fatal error of Washington authorities in this matter was to undertake a world campaign and world responsibilities without first making provision for the security of the United States, which was their prime constitutional obligation.

So we should ask, could the war with Japan have been prevented? ,and why was it not? Answer: Yes and No !

Read on > more to come...

In God We Trust.

Glenn A Clepper

Writer, Columnist, Author, Patriot and Historian