PEARL HARBOR: Activity #1 - A Moment in Time: · PDF filePEARL HARBOR: Activity #1 - A Moment...

PEARL HARBOR: Activity #1 - A Moment in Time: Photographs in Action

Objectives

Students will:

Examine and evaluate events at Pearl Harbor using the selected photographs as primary sources.

Understand that photographs are only one of many tools for historical research.

Small Group Exercise / Activity

1. In your table grouping, tape/glue these pictures onto your table sheet.

2. Compare and contrast the photographs and discuss the following questions.

a. If you were at home reading the newspaper the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked, upon seeing

these photographs, what would your reaction be? Who or what would you be thinking of?

b. What is your attention drawn to in the photos?

Students should jot down their ideas on the same piece of paper as the photograph.

Activity #2 - Recalling Pearl Harbor: Oral Histories and Survivor Accounts

Objectives

Students will:

Use oral histories and survivor accounts as primary sources.

Study oral histories and survivor accounts to understand the complexities of the Japanese attack on Pearl

Harbor.

Understand the importance of using more than one source to comprehend an event in a historical

context.

Small Group Activities

1. Each student will choose an oral history and survivor accounts for this activity. Read through the

excerpts. Each student will select one incident from each of the three accounts that stands out to them

and on the table sheet, each student will write out the incident. Cite your resource!

2. Under your account, explain why this particular incident would be important for the American people

to know.

Activity #3 - Timeline from Official Action Reports

Objectives

Students will:

Using ship log books and action reports as primary sources.

Read timelines and reconstruct the events of Pearl Harbor.

Learn why Navy keeps detailed and precise records.

Create their own timelines summarizing the events of Pearl Harbor.

Synthesize primary evidence to build a historical context for the events of Pearl Harbor.

Small Group Exercises

1. As a group, students will read through each timeline and highlight the events that stand out (pay

attention to the fact that the U.S. Navy has a high regard for detail and accuracy as the U.S. Navy

is currently the "keepers of time.") Then, as a group, compare and contrast the three timelines.

Discuss why certain events were included in a timeline while others were omitted. Create a 3

circle Venn diagram that will help you to compare and contrast.

Activity #4 – Analysis of the attack scene from the movie Pearl Harbor

1. After watching the scene, as a group, discuss the following questions. Choose one person in your group

to write your responses on the table sheet. Q: In comparison to the primary documents you have just

analyzed:

a. What aspects of the battle sequence are accurate?

b. Does the scene capture the same emotion as the primary documents you analyzed earlier? How?

c. How can the photos, the accounts, and the Hollywood scene, all be used to “sell” the war to the

American people?


PHOTO 1


PHOTO #2


PHOTO #3


DOCUMENT #1

Source: Wallin, Homer N. Pearl Harbor: Why, How, Fleet Salvage and Final Appraisal. (Washington DC:

Government Printing Office, 1968): 297-327.

USS Arizona

Lieutenant Commander S. G. Fuqua wrote as follows:

I was in the ward room eating breakfast about 0755 when a short signal on the ship's air raid alarm was made. I

immediately went to the phone and called the Officer-of-the-Deck to sound general quarters and then shortly

thereafter ran up to the starboard side of the quarter deck to see if he had received word. On coming out of the

ward room hatch on the port side, I saw a Japanese plane go by, the machine guns firing, at an altitude of about

100 feet. As I was running forward on the starboard side of the quarter deck, approximately by the starboard

gangway, I was apparently knocked out by the blast of a bomb which I learned later had struck the face plate of

#4 turret on the starboard side and had glanced off and gone through the deck just forward of the captain's

hatch, penetrating the decks and exploding on the third deck. When I came to and got up off the deck, the ship

was a mass of flames amidships on the boat deck and the deck aft was awash to about frame 90. The anti-

aircraft battery and machine guns apparently were still firing at this time. Some of the Arizona boats had pulled

clear of the oil and were lying off the stern..

The first attack occurred about 0755. I saw approximately 15 torpedo planes which had come in to the attack

from the direction of the Navy Yard. These planes also strafed the ship after releasing their torpedoes. Shortly

thereafter there was a dive bomber and strafing attack of about 30 planes. This attack was very determined,

planes diving within 500 feet before releasing bombs, about 0900. There were about twelve planes in flight that

I saw.

The personnel of the anti-aircraft and machine gun batteries on the Arizona lived up to the best traditions of the

Navy. I could hear guns firing on the ship long after the boat deck was a mass of flames. I can not single out one

individual who stood out in acts of heroism above the others as all of the personnel under my supervision

conducted themselves with the greatest heroism and bravery.


DOCUMENT #2



USS ARIZONA

USS ARIZONA Radioman's Mate Third Class, G. H. Lane wrote as follows:

When the attack started on December 7, 1941, it was just before 0800 and I was on the forecastle of the USS. Arizona. I

saw torpedo planes, with the rising sun insignia under their wings, attacking ships ahead of us. General alarm was then

sounded and we were all told to seek cover. I went aft to the aviation workshop and helped wake men who were still

sleeping there and closed battle ports in the optical shop. The order came for all hands not assigned to anti-aircraft

batteries to go to the third deck. I started for the third deck but just then General Quarters was sounded. I came back and

started for my General Quarters station which is a repair station (patrol five). We were hit aft and also in one or two other

places on the ship. Word came, "Fire in the Executive Officer's Office." Hurst, Bruns, Wentzlaff, and I manned a fire hose

and went on the quarterdeck to connect it and fight the fire aft on the quarterdeck where the bomb had lilt us. Lieutenant

Commander Fuqua was at his post on the quarterdeck where the bomb had hit us, I was on the nozzle end of the hose and

told Hurst and Bruns to turn on the water. They did, but no water came. I turned around to see if the hose had any kinks in

it and at that time there was an explosion which knocked me off the ship. I was taken aboard the Nevada where I was

brought to my senses in a casemate (no. 3). I had been in the water because I was soaked with oil. The Nevada was

underway and I helped handle powder for the 5 inch gun. When the Nevada was hit in the dry dock channel, the gun was

put out and the ship was afire. I helped get wounded aft and fought fire until I was choked by smoke and fumes. They sent

me from the Nevada to the Solace where I was put to bed and cuts and bruises treated. I couldn't see either until my eyes

were washed out and treated. I was released from the Solace December 10, and was sent to Receiving Barracks where Mr.

Fuqua told me to rejoin the aviation unit at Ford Island. I saw no signs of fear on the ship. Everyone was surprised and

pretty mad.


DOCUMENT #3



USS Arizona

USS ARIZONA Corporal B. C. Nightingale of the U.S. Marine Corps wrote as follows:

At approximately eight o'clock on the morning of December 7, 1941, I was leaving the breakfast table when the ship's

siren for air defense sounded. Having no anti-aircraft battle station, I paid little attention to it. Suddenly I heard an

explosion. I ran to the port door leading to the quarter deck and saw a bomb strike a barge of some sort alongside the

Nevada, or in that vicinity. The marine color guard came in at this point saying we were being attacked. I could distinctly

hear machine gun fire. I believe at this point our anti-aircraft battery opened up. We stood around awaiting orders of some

kind. General Quarters sounded and I started for my battle station in secondary aft. As I passed through casement nine I

noted the gun was manned and being trained out. The men seemed extremely calm and collected. I reached the boat deck

and our anti-aircraft guns were in full action, firing very rapidly. I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform

on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past

me. As soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonsen lying on his back with blood on his shirt

front. I bent over him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could do. He was dead, or so nearly

so that speech was impossible. Seeing there was nothing I could do for the Lieutenant, I continued to my battle station.

When I arrived in secondary aft I reported to Major Shapley that Mr. Simonson had been hit and there was nothing to be

done for him. There was a lot of talking going on and I shouted for silence which came immediately. I had only been there

a short time when a terrible explosion caused the ship to shake violently. I looked at the boat deck and everything seemed

aflame forward of the mainmast. I reported to the Major that the ship was aflame, which was rather needless, and after

looking about, the Major ordered us to leave. I was the last man to leave secondary aft because I looked around and there

was no one left. I followed the Major down the port side of the tripod mast. The railings, as we ascended, were very hot

and as we reached the boat deck I noted that it was torn up and burned. The bodies of the dead were thick, and badly

burned men were heading for the quarterdeck, only to fall apparently dead or badly wounded. The Major and I went

between No. 3 and No. 4 turret to the starboard side and found Lieutenant Commander Fuqua ordering the men over the

side and assisting the wounded. He seemed exceptionally calm and the Major stopped and they talked for a moment.

Charred bodies were everywhere.


DOCUMENT #4



USS Arizona

USS ARIZONA Aviation Machinists Mate, First Class D. A. Graham wrote as follows:

On hearing the explosions and gun reports, Wentzlaff, E., A.O.M.2/c, came in saying we were being attacked and bombed

by Jap planes. The air raid siren sounded, followed by the General Quarters alarm. I stepped outside the shop and started

to my general quarters station on the quarterdeck, shouting "Let's go."

It seemed as though the magazines forward blew up while we were hooking up the fire hose, as the noise was followed by

an awful "swish' and hot air blew out of the compartments, There had been bomb hits at the first start and yellowish

smoke was pouring out of the hatches from below deck. There were lots of men coming out on the quarterdeck with every

stitch of clothing and shoes blown off, painfully burned and shocked. Mr. Fuqua was the senior officer on deck and set an

example for the men by being unperturbed, calm, cool, and collected, exemplifying the courage and traditions of an

officer under fire. It seemed like the men painfully burned, shocked, and dazed, became inspired and took things in stride,

seeing Mr. Fuqua, so unconcerned about the bombing and strafing, standing on the quarterdeck. There was no "going to

pieces" or "growing panicky" noticeable, and he directed the moving of the wounded and burned men who were on the

quarterdeck to the motor launches and boats. He gave orders to get the life rafts on #3 barbette down, supervised the

loading of the wounded and burned casualties, assisted by Ensign J. D. Miller who set a very good example for a younger

officer by being cool, calm, and collected.

The signal gang, quartermasters, and all hands on the bridge went up-- as the signal men were trying to put out a fire in

the signal rack and grabbing signal flags out to hoist a signal, the whole bridge went up, flames enveloping and obscuring

them from view as the flames shot upward twice as high as the tops. A bomb hit on the starboard side of the after 5 inch

guns and anti-aircraft gun, and got most of the marine crew and anti-aircraft crews. It seemed as though one bomb hit the

port after the anti-aircraft crew and came down through the casemate and Executive Officer's office.

After the big explosion and "swish," the men painfully burned and wounded, dazed beyond comprehension, came out on

the quarterdeck. I had to stop some of them from entering the flames later on and directed them over to the starboard side

of the deck to the gangway for embarking, encouraging them to be calm.


REPORT #1

USS Tennessee (BB-43): Timeline of Events

CHRONOLOGICAL REPORT OF GENERAL EVENTS, AS RECORDED IN CENTRAL STATION, U.S.S. Tennessee ON SUNDAY,

DECEMBER 7, 1941.

This is a chronological report of all reports received by ship's service telephone and other means, and recorded in Central

Station during action on December 7, 1941. A few of the following entries are not entirely accurate, as can be realized by

reading the "Narrative of Events of Action", nor is this report to be considered absolutely complete.

0758 - Attacked by enemy planes (Japanese).

---- - Oily water around stern burning.

---- - Smoke pouring into Repair I. Smoke so thick, cannot see.

---- - All boats on fire.

---- - West Virginia's quarterdeck and planes on fire.

---- - Could not get morphine out of doctor's room because it was unsafe; men report that room was too hot

to go in and cut safe open.

---- - Oklahoma seems to be capsizing.

---- - California down by the stern.

---- - West Virginia has pretty bad fire below Signal Bridge.

0930 - Enemy planes coming in on port beam.

---- - West Virginia's gangway still burning.

0940 - Wounded being removed from the West Virginia.

---- - Oklahoma upside down.

---- - Bow blown away on Arizona.

---- - Destroyers getting underway on other side of Ford Island.

---- - Fire either on Argonne or dock.

---- - Air attack coming in on starboard bow.

---- - West Virginia on fire from Turret I to bow. Flames up as high as foretop.

---- - Fire on port quarter (oil on water).

---- - Firemain ruptured, port side, boat deck. (False Report)

0948 - Planes coming in on starboard bow; do not know whether enemy or friendly.

---- - Ship will not get underway until further orders. Engineering Department, standby.

---- - Destroyer getting underway from Navy Yard.

---- - Unidentified ship in Pearl Harbor down by stern.


REPORT #2

USS Ramapo (AO-12): Timeline of Events

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS T. BEAN, A.M.1C., U.S. NAVY, REGARDING JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 7,

1941.

0756 About four enemy bombers attacked the Naval Air Station coming in, apparently, from south, dropping

their bombs on the south end of Ford Island. One hanger was struck and set on fire and some PBYs near

the ramp were destroyed. These planes were first identified as Japanese because of the insignia on their

fuselage. As they wheeled away the insignia on their upper and lower sides of their wings would be seen.

0758 Ramapo went to General Quarters. Ships in the harbor gradually opened fire with A.A. batteries and A.A.

machine guns.

0800 Single engined, single-winged torpedo planes carrying one torpedo each commenced an attack on the

battleships at Ford Island, coming in along the channel from the Submarine Base and flying astern of the

Ramapo. We opened fire as soon as possible, about 0806 with machine guns and approximately 0810 with

the 3". Our ammunition was ready in ready boxes and the gunnery officer gave the order to the machine

guns to open fire on any enemy aircraft without further orders. Five enemy planes were destroyed in this

attack.

0807 Emergency SAIL hoisted on Signal Tower. Arizona hit by torpedo.

0809 Arizona hit by second torpedo. About two minutes later a spurt of flame came out of guns in #2 turret,

followed by explosion of forward magazines. The foremast leaned forward, and the whole forward part of

the ship enveloped in flame and smoke and continued to burn fiercely.

0814 The Oklahoma suffered two hits by torpedoes. She commenced settling and later turned over.

0820 West Virginia hit by one or two torpedoes amidships, which caused her to commence settling slowly. These

hits also caused her to burn amidships.

0820 California hit by one torpedo, commenced listing slowly to port until about 13° list was reached.

0830 Dive bombing attacks by single engined monoplanes aimed generally at the Naval Air Station, battleships

and drydocks. Oglala was apparently hit in this attack as she was seen to be listed soon afterwards.

0910 Nevada got underway and stood out of channel, firing continuously, but was attacked by torpedo planes

when off the drydocks, and at the same time was subjected to heavy dive bombing attack. She later was

beached.


REPORT #3

USS Mugford (DD-389): Timeline of Events

The following are extracts from the rough log which was kept by the Quartermaster on watch. The times and descriptions of

the planes shot down by this vessel were obtained from the men on the gun and surrounding witnesses.

0758 – Japanese planes dived on Ford Island. Several large bombs struck the seaplane landing followed by

explosions near hangers. Then several Japanese planes came in low from the southeast and released

torpedoes which struck the U.S.S. Oklahoma and the U.S.S. West Virginia. Japanese torpedo planes then

came in continuously from the same direction and fired torpedoes at the battleships.

0800 – Started assembly of engineering plant and rigging fuel hose.

0801 – Sounded General Quarters.

0805 – .50 Caliber machine gun battery opened fire.

0807 – Shot down one Japanese plane, altitude 800 feet, on starboard quarter, passing aft on starboard hand. This

plane had fired a torpedo at the U.S.S. Oglala.

0808 – U.S.S. Oklahoma turned turtle. The U.S.S. West Virginia listed heavily to port. The U.S.S. Arizona blew up.

0812 – The U.S.S. Oglala appeared to be listing to port. Attack started again. Heavy anti-aircraft fire.

0815 – Shot down one Japanese torpedo plane dead astern approaching battleships. Plane's altitude 20 feet off the

water. Plane crashed on Ford Island aflame. Torpedo was not launched.

0820 – Opened fire with 5"/38 caliber battery.

0825 – Signal received that parachutist or wrecked pilots were landing oat Hickam Field.

0830 – Five Japanese plane in "V" formation passed directly overhead making horizontal bombing attack.

0838 – The U.S.S. West Virginia burning. U.S.S. Arizona on fire. Tugs trying to pull overturned U.S.S. Oklahoma

clear. U.S.S. Vestal clearing U.S.S. Nevada.

0842 – U.S.S. Vestal clear.

0845 – Executed signal to TASK FORCES ONE and TWO to get underway. Tugs pulled U.S.S. Oglala clear of U.S.S.

Helena.

0850 – U.S.S. West Virginia listed heavily to port.

0851 – Executed signal to get underway; and sortie according to Plan EASY SAIL.

0854 – Attack started again from north.

0855 – U.S.S. Nevada underway. Dense smoke over Ford Island. A tanker was towed clear of Ford Island.

0900 – Attack started again from the south. U.S. ARMY planes taking off from Hickam Field.

0902 – Formation of planes sighted to south. Decks of U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. West Virginia level with water.

Dense smoke pouring from U.S.S. Arizona.

Activity #4 – Analysis of the attack scene from the movie Pearl Harbor

1. After watching the scene, as a group, discuss the following questions. Choose one person in your group

to write your responses on the table sheet. Q: In comparison to the primary documents you have just

analyzed:

a. What aspects of the battle sequence are accurate?

b. Does the scene capture the same emotion as the primary documents you analyzed earlier? How?

c. How can the photos, the accounts, and the Hollywood scene, all be used to “sell” the war to the

American people?

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