Pearl Harbor

This agreement gave them the srength they needed to force major issues with thr U.S. Japan pushed its luck in 1941 when they invaded French Indochina. The U.S. government issued a total trade embargo. All assets were frozen but most harmful was lack of oil. This greatly threatened Japan's industries as 80 percent of its oil came from the United States. To Japan this was the event that would cause them to realize war was necessary. Yamamoto began devising his master plan- Operation Hawaii. Yamamoto's Plan He began his plan in January, 1941. He believed the attack on Pearl Habour was the first step of seizing the oil-rich Netherlands, East Indies and to break the trade embargo. Yamamoto conversed with other Japanese officers and came to the coclusion that an attack on Pearl Habor was possible but would be hard. The Admiral realized though, that he had an advantage over the American Navy. Although they were smaller in size, the U.S. ships were spread throughout the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It turned out the Japanese had a numerical advantage. And, in the spring of 1941, the German U-boat crisis forced the U.S. to send a quarter of their force to the Pacific Ocean. This was Japan's opportunity. Yamaoto's total objective in this battle was to sink all three aircraft carriers, at least four of the nine battleships and to immobilize the fleet for six months up to a year. He hoped to devastate the fleet while the Imperial Army made their move to conquer more territory. He planned his secret attack for December 7, 1941. Yamaoto's weapon Yamamoto relied on Japan's new weapon, the aircraft carrier. 355 planes would take off from 6 aircraft carriers: the first time in history this sort of tactic was used. It was hoped to take the emeny by surprise. But, a risk was involved since this had never been done before. The Japanese naval fleet consisted of the six aircraft carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, 2 fast battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers and 3 picket submarines.