Battleships of Pearl Harbor

On 7 December, 1941, Japanese bombers flew towards the U.S. naval base of Pearl Harbor. Among the main targets for the Japanese fleet heading towards Pearl Harbor were the U.S. battleships stationed there. More than anything else, they bore the brunt of the Japanese bombs as the U.S. aircraft carriers that would have also been targeted were not present on the day. Eight battleships were present, and most were hit during the airstrike.

Before the outbreak of WW2, battleships were still considered among the most important warships. In World War One they played a decisive role in some of the largest naval battles such as the Battle of Jutland. Despite greater aircraft carrier research during the postwar era, they were still largely unproven in combat; and so the United States also expanded their battleships.

In 1941, the United States decided to move its Pacific Fleet to the naval base of Pearl Harbor as tensions with Japan mounted. The battleships were among the primary ships of this fleet, which the United States hoped might provide a deterrent in the Pacific to the Japanese. In fact, the consolidation of a number of US battleships at Pearl Harbor, and aircraft carriers, actually encouraged the Japanese. With so many battleships and aircraft carriers in close proximity a single surprise air strike could potentially have great impact. Japanese aircraft ravaged the following battleships at Pearl Harbor.

USS California

The U.S. Navy deployed the USS California to Pearl Harbor in 1940. During the raid, the California was hit by torpedo bombers. The USS California was substantially hit, and gradually began to sink to the bottom of the harbor. However, despite this the U.S. Navy salvaged and repaired the USS California after the airstrike. By 1944, the USS California was combat ready and re-entered the Pacific War in time for the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

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