In the early hours of 7 December (Hawaiian time), Japan launched a major surprise carrier-based air strike on Pearl Harbor without explicit warning, which crippled the U.S. Pacific Fleet, leaving eight American battleships out of action, 188 American aircraft destroyed, and 2,403 American citizens dead. At the time of the attack, the U.S. was not officially at war anywhere in the world, which means that the people killed or property destroyed at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese attack had a non-combatant status.[nb 11] The Japanese had gambled that the United States, when faced with such a sudden and massive blow, would agree to a negotiated settlement and allow Japan free rein in Asia. This gamble did not pay off. American losses were less serious than initially thought: The American aircraft carriers, which would prove to be more important than battleships, were at sea, and vital naval infrastructure (fuel oil tanks, shipyard facilities, and a power station), submarine base, and signals intelligence units were unscathed. Japan's fallback strategy, relying on a war of attrition to make the U.S. come to terms, was beyond the IJN's capabilities. COUNT 10
QSN1 How many U.S. battleships were incapacitated in the Pearl Harbor attacks? ANS1 eight QSN2 Was America at war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor? ANS2 not officially at war QSN3 How many Americans died in the Pearl Harbor attacks? ANS3 2,403 QSN4 Why did Japan attack America? ANS4 allow Japan free rein in Asia QSN5 What were the most vital American ships at the time of the attack? ANS5 aircraft carriers QSN6 When did Japan launch the aattack on Pearl Harbor? ANS6 7 December QSN7 How many American battleships were put out of action in the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan? ANS7 eight QSN8 How many US citizens were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan? ANS8 2,403 QSN9 How many aircraft did the United States lose in the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan? ANS9 188 QSN10 Where were the American aircraft carriers during the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan? ANS10 at sea