“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
Introduction
Folklore, Viewed with a Critical Eye
CHAPTER 1 Strategic and Operational Setting
CHAPTER 2 Targets, Weapons and Weapon-Target Pairings
CHAPTER 3 Wargames
CHAPTER 4 Planning the Attack
CHAPTER 5 Pre-Attack: Training, Rehearsals, Briefings and Contingency Planning
CHAPTER 6 Execution of the Attack
CHAPTER 7 Assessment of the Attack
CHAPTER 8 Battle Damage Assessment
CHAPTER 9 What Might Have Been: Alerted Pearl Harbor Defenses
CHAPTER 10 Assessing the Folklore
CHAPTER 11 The Fifth Midget Submarine: A Cautionary Tale
CHAPTER 12 Reassessing the Participants
CHAPTER 13 Summary and Conclusions
APPENDIX A: Tabulation of Second-Wave Dive-Bomber Attacks
APPENDIX B: Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Japanese Terms
APPENDIX C: Ships in Pearl Harbor and Vicinity
APPENDIX D: The Perfect Attack
APPENDIX E: Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index
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.
