Pearl Harbor: Hawaii Was Surprised; FDR Was Not

 The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, caused significant destruction and loss of life, surprising American commanders in Hawaii. However, comprehensive research indicates that U. S. officials in Washington had prior knowledge of the attack and strategic intentions aimed at provoking Japan, leading to a deliberate withholding of information from commanders.

1. Foreknowledge of the Attack

• Evidence suggests that Washington knew about Japan's attack plans in advance and strategically kept this information from commanders in Hawaii.

• The intention was to ensure a surprise attack that would propel the U. S. into World War II.

• Many American officials, including British Minister Oliver Lyttleton, implied that America was not coerced into war but rather provoked Japan.

2. Roosevelt's Secret Plans

• Despite public opposition to U. S. involvement in the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was privately committed to aiding Britain and prepared for American entry into the conflict.

• Actions taken included dispatching an advisor to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and engaging in secret military discussions.

3. Provocations Leading to War

• Roosevelt's administration engaged in several provocations designed to corner Japan into a military response, including freezing Japanese assets and halting exports to Japan.

• The U. S. adopted a diplomatic strategy to make Japan appear as the aggressor.

4. Intelligence Failures

• Key intelligence, including signals and diplomatic communications from Japan, were successfully intercepted and decoded by the U. S. government.

• American commanders in Hawaii were cut off from crucial intelligence, including orders and warnings sent to Washington that could have suggested imminent threats.

5. Mismanagement of Military Preparedness

• Roosevelt and his administration took steps to keep the U. S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor vulnerable, despite concerns expressed by military leaders.

• Orders were issued to cameras and military personnel that essentially left the Pearl Harbor installations exposed to a surprise attack.

6. Final Hours Before the Attack

• As the Japanese fleet moved towards Pearl Harbor, critical communications were ignored, leading to a lack of preparedness on the island.

• Warnings decoded on December 6 indicated a significant escalation, yet the information was not relayed timely or appropriately to commanders in Hawaii.

7. Aftermath & Accountability

• The aftermath of the attack led to investigations that focused blame on commanders in Hawaii rather than addressing the failures on the part of Washington.

• The perception remains that Commander Kimmel and General Short failed to act on the intelligence received, overshadowing the government’s own foreknowledge and provocation.

The evidence gathered suggests that the attack on Pearl Harbor was not merely a surprise event but rather the culmination of strategic provocations by Washington coupled with a deliberate failure to inform key military leaders in Hawaii. The circumstances surrounding Pearl Harbor illustrate complex political maneuvering and intelligence manipulations that ultimately thrust the United States into World War II. 

https://thenewamerican.com/us/culture/history/pearl-harbor-hawaii-was-surprised-fdr-was-not/