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THE DAY THAT CHANGED THE WAR

What day of the week was the Pearl Harbor attack and why did the Japanese bomb the US base?

THE sneak attack on Pearl Harbor changed the Second World War forever with then President Franklin D Roosevelt calling Japan's attack "a date which will live in infamy".

Now, 79 years on from the attack, we take a look back on the attack that claimed more than 2,000 lives and changed the course of history.

The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by Japanese bombs in the Pearl Harbor attack
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The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by Japanese bombs in the Pearl Harbor attackCredit: Getty Images

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

In two waves, Japanese forces bombed the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.

This first wave began bombing hangars and parked aircraft on the airfields while launching torpedoes against the US warships moored in the harbour.

The second wave, an hour and a half later, resulted in 18 warships being sunk or damaged.

Causing extensive damage to the site, and killing thousands, the attacks left America reeling in shock.

Stemming from the increasing rivalry between Japan and America it was a dramatic announcement from the Asian nation that they wanted to challenge US dominance.

Explosions seen from Hickam Field during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
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Explosions seen from Hickam Field during the Japanese attack on Pearl HarborCredit: Bettmann
A mangled pile of metal is what was left of the USS Cassin, left, and the USS Downes, right, after the Japanese attack
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A mangled pile of metal is what was left of the USS Cassin, left, and the USS Downes, right, after the Japanese attackCredit: Getty Images

When was Pearl Harbor and what time did the first bombs strike?

The first bombs struck at 7.55am Hawaiian Time on Sunday, December 7, 1941.

The morning attack was broken down into two waves with bombs continuing to drop until 9.45am - meaning it lasted barely two hours.

Despite the brevity of the attack, it was one of the worst attacks on American soil in history.

USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee, left, were damaged while the USS Arizona was sunk in the attack
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USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee, left, were damaged while the USS Arizona was sunk in the attackCredit: Rex Features
The view of Pearl Harbor was caught in a photograph captured by the Japanese
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The view of Pearl Harbor was caught in a photograph captured by the JapaneseCredit: Reuters
The USS Arizona violently exploded, killing about half of those in the final death toll from the December 7 attack
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The USS Arizona violently exploded, killing about half of those in the final death toll from the December 7 attackCredit: Bettmann
The USS Nevada burns following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military
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The USS Nevada burns following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese militaryCredit: Getty Images

Where is Pearl Harbor?

Pearl Harbor holds a deep-water naval base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, just west of Honolulu.

The base is the headquarters for the US' Pacific fleet.

Pearl Harbor map
Aerial photograph of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, before the Japanese attacked
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Aerial photograph of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, before the Japanese attackedCredit: Getty Images

How many people died in the Pear Harbor attack?

More than 2,400 Americans were killed in the morning attack with 1,178 wounded.

Among those killed were 2,008 sailors, 218 soldiers and airmen and 109 marines.

Another 68 civilians were also killed.

About 100 Japanese also died in the attack.

A Pearl Harbor burn victim being treated for his wounds at the Mare Island Naval Hospital
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A Pearl Harbor burn victim being treated for his wounds at the Mare Island Naval HospitalCredit: Getty Images
Another burns victim was just one of thousands injured in the attack
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Another burns victim was just one of thousands injured in the attackCredit: Getty Images
The US Navy battleship USS California is seen ablaze after an attack by Japanese carrier based strike aircraft on the Hawaiian port of Pearl Harbor
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The US Navy battleship USS California is seen ablaze after an attack by Japanese carrier based strike aircraft on the Hawaiian port of Pearl HarborCredit: Reuters
Battleships, destroyers and cruisers were all destroyed in the surprise attack
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Battleships, destroyers and cruisers were all destroyed in the surprise attackCredit: Reuters
Shocked and angry crowds in Times Square grab New York Enquirer newspapers bearing the headlines of Japan's attack on the US
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Shocked crowds in Times Square grab New York Enquirer newspapers bearing the headlines of Japan's attack on the USCredit: Getty Images

What was the damage?

Japan sent in 49 bombers, 40 torpedo planes, 51 dive-bombers and 43 fighter aircraft - just in the first wave.

Another wave of 54 bombers, 78 dive-bombers and 36 fighters were then sent in, aiming to completely disable the US naval base.

Five battleships were sunk with 16 damaged, while 188 aircraft at the site were destroyed.

One of the worst hit was the USS Arizona, with the battleship's violent explosion killing more than 1000 officers and crew.

Two aircraft carriers that were normally based at Pearl Harbor, however, were undamaged.

WHAT SHIPS WERE DAMAGED?

Battleships Arizona exploded
Oklahoma capsized
West Virginia sunk but returned to service
California sunk but returned to service
Nevada beached but returned to service
Pennsylvania hit by bomb, remained in service
Tennessee hit by bomb, remained in service
Maryland hit by bomb, remained in service
ex-battleship Utah capsized
Cruisers
Helena torpedoed, returned to service
Raleigh torpedoed, returned to service
Honolulu near miss, remained to service
Destroyers
Cassin bombed, returned to service
Downes caught on fire, returned to service
Shaw bombed, returned to service
Auxiliaries
Oglala torpedoed, returned to service
Vestal beached, returned to service
Curtiss bombed, returned to service

Cabinet members watch with mixed emotions as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, wearing a black armband, signs the United States' declaration of war against Japan
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Cabinet members watch with mixed emotions as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, wearing a black armband, signs the United States' declaration of war against JapanCredit: Bettmann
USS West Virginia burns and sinks
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USS West Virginia burns and sinksCredit: Reuters

Why was Pearl Harbor such a big deal?

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a big deal as Japan and the US were not in conflict prior to this date.

Before the attack, Japan had signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, which stated they would assist one another if a country who they were not in conflict with already should attack them.

Japan's forces occupied French Indochina resulting in economic sanctions imposed by the US, including an embargo on oil and steel.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was in response to these sanctions - but was a major shock to the US who had not yet joined the war.

Battered by aerial bombs and torpedoes, the USS California is evacuated
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Battered by aerial bombs and torpedoes, the USS California is evacuatedCredit: Rex Features

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But Pearl Harbor changed everything with President Franklin D Roosevelt saying: "“December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

"The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government.”

The attack was co-ordinated with bombings in the British Empire in Borneo, Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with Japan declaring war on the US and Great Britain.

The shock destruction brought America into World War II - changing its course forever.

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