I never liked learning history in school, the subject didn't interest me. Therefore, I found out about the events in the Bay of 

Pearl Harbor

 in 2001, from the movie by Michael Bay starring Ben Affleck in the lead role. I later learned that the Japanese attacked the base of the US Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941. I had the chance to visit this legendary place on December 6, 2013, exactly one day before the anniversary of the attack.

Pearl Harbor is the harbor on the island of Oahu, where the US naval base is located. The Japanese needed to neutralize the US Pacific Fleet, to ensure their freedom of action in south-east Asia. Attack aircraft carriers included: Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, Shokaku, Soryu, and Zuikaku. 441 aircrafts - fighters, torpedo bombers, dive bombers, and fighter-bombers - were placed on these aircraft carriers. The carriers were accompanied by two battleships, two heavy and one light cruiser, submarines and destroyers. The Japanese lost 29 aircrafts and five midget submarines. 55 people were killed, and Lieutenant Sakamaki was captured. Four American battleships, two destroyers and a minelayer, were sunk during the battle. Another four battleships, three light cruisers, and one destroyer were damaged. 188 planes were destroyed and more than 159 planes were severely damaged. More than 2,400 people were killed and 1,200 people were injured.

This man survived the attack on Pearl Harbor.

First, we went to the museum, where there are exhibits of military ships, items, and photos from that time. Some sailors, who watched from the side, could sometimes be seen among the visitors.

This is a model of the Arizona battleship.

Admiral Yamamoto was a supporter of a peaceful resolution to the conflict, he spoke out against the war with the US and the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, he was forced to agree because of the pressure and planned military operations of the campaign.

The operation was a secret, the Japanese used the surprise factor. The inscription on the stand is a coded message, which was delivered at the beginning of the attack. Tora means "tiger", it always attacks suddenly.

This is a Japanese torpedo.

The moment that the Japanese signed their surrender on September 2, 1945, aboard the Missouri battleship is on the left. Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima is on the right. I was there several years ago (Hiroshima. Genbaku Dome and Peace Park).
There were many soldiers, I felt the approaching event. There were rehearsals for the activities planned the next day.

X-band sea-basing Radar is a self-propelled unit for operations in the open ocean.

We boarded the ship and sailed to the place where the Arizona battleship sank. A memorial was created there (USS Arizona Memorial).

The Oklahoma and Utah battleships were sunk, the Nevada was damaged heavily. Oklahoma was raised two years later, but the recovery was not profitable. Nevada was repaired and she participated in the fight.
This is the 

USS Arizona Memorial

.

The ship is under us.

The explosion on the Arizona battleship killed 1177 people. Those who survived later put in their Will that they wanted to be buried next to their comrades.

This is the battleship 

Missouri

 an its eternal resting spot at Pearl Harbor.

Oil stains on the water's surface are called "tears of the Arizona".

Admiral Clarey Bridge leads to Ford Island, where a military airfield is located.

In early October 1941, two months before the attack, the Soviet spy Richard Sorge reported to Moscow that Pearl Harbor would be attacked within 60 days. The information was given to the American government. Also, information from other sources was received. However, the warning was not sent to the Pearl Harbor base. US radar saw Japanese aircrafts only 50 minutes before the attack, but the Americans thought that they were their own planes. Some people believe that the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945 was revenge for Pearl Harbor.