“Nothing previously published has offered such a close examination of Japanese strategy . . . an in-depth study of the Japanese planning, preparation and execution of the attack with particular focus on factors not thoroughly considered by other historians, if at all . . . detailed analyses that lead to a much better understanding of what the Japanese did, why they did it, and especially how the attack was very nearly an abject failure instead of a stunning success."—Naval Institute Proceedings
"For seven decades, conventional wisdom has extolled the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as brilliant in its planning and execution . . . this masterful analysis topples that pillar of Pacific War history . . . with its amazing depth of meticulous research and analysis, this forceful book is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in Pearl Harbor."—World War II
"The first militarily professional description of the Pearl Harbor attack, and for those who are serious about military history and operations, it is a joy to read. . . . a superb military analysis of the attack . . . not only renders all other histories of Pearl Harbor obsolete, it has set the bar high for other histories of the Pacific War."—War In History
Dr. Alan D. Zimm is a member of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he heads a section in the Aviation Systems and Advanced Concepts Group. He is a former officer in the US Navy, completing his service as a Commander, and holds degrees in Physics, Operations Research, and Public Administration with a concentration on Policy Analysis and Strategic Planning.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Folklore, Viewed with a Critical Eye 7
Chapter 1 Strategic and Operational Setting 15
Chapter 2 Targets, Weapons and Weapon-Target Pairings 53
Chapter 3 Wargames 71
Chapter 4 Planning the Attack 83
Chapter 5 Pre-Attack: Training, Rehearsals, Briefings and Contingency Planning 139
Chapter 6 Execution of the Attack 151
Chapter 7 Assessment of the Attack 173
Chapter 8 Battle Damage Assessment 225
Chapter 9 What Might Have Been: Alerted Pearl Harbor Defenses 267
Chapter 10 Assessing the Folklore 289
Chapter 11 The Fifth Midget Submarine: A Cautionary Tale 327
Chapter 12 Reassessing the Participants 355
Chapter 13 Summary and Conclusions 371
Appendix A Tabulation of Second-Wave Dive-Bomber Attacks 387
Appendix B Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Japanese Terms 391
