Tower 22: A Deadly Confusion

The article details the chaotic and confused response of U.S. defenders during the initial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It emphasizes the lack of clear communication and preparedness, contributing to the devastating surprise and heavy casualties. Many soldiers and sailors were caught completely off guard, some even asleep in their barracks or preparing for a Sunday morning. The article highlights the difficulty in distinguishing between Japanese and American aircraft in the early moments of the attack, leading to delayed responses and friendly fire incidents. Compounding the confusion were failures in the communication systems. Messages were delayed or misdirected, hindering the ability of commanders to assess the situation accurately and issue timely orders. Radar operators, despite detecting incoming aircraft, were initially dismissed due to a belief it was American B-17 bombers arriving from the mainland. The lack of established protocols for responding to such an attack further hampered the defense efforts. The article emphasizes that the lack of coordination between different military branches, coupled with a widespread assumption that a direct attack on Pearl Harbor was unlikely, created a perfect storm of vulnerability and disarray. This resulted in a disorganized and reactive defense that struggled to effectively counter the Japanese assault. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/confusion-gripped-us-defenders-just-170002662.html