Chapter V 1 All times are Tokyo time. 2 Lt. Col. Robert D. Heinl, Jr., The Defense of Wake (USMG Hist Sec, 1947); Opns of South Seas Detachment, 1941-42, Japanese Studies in World War II, No. 36, p. 3. For operations at Hong Kong and in Malaya, see Japanese Landing Operations, December 8, 1941-June 8, 1942, Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Campaign Study 3. 3 The quotation is from an account by a Japanese naval officer and is quoted in Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, p. 94. 4 At 0800, Admiral Kimmel broadcast the message: "Air Raid on Pearl Harbor. This is no drill.." Secretary Knox, when he read the message in Washington, exclaimed, "My God! This can't be true, this must mean the Philippines." Pearl Harbor Attack Report, p. 439. 5 The best account of the attack on Pearl Harbor has been written by Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, Ch. V. For the Air Forces story, see Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 194-201. Much personal testimony and first-hand accounts of the attack can be found scattered through the Congressional hearings on the Pearl Harbor attack. A summary of the action can be found in Pearl Harbor Attack Report, pp. 53-72. 6 Pearl Harbor Attack Report, p. 65. The breakdown of casualties is as follows:
In an earlier volume of this series, Watson, Chief of Staff, page 517, the number of dead is placed at 2,403, including civilians. Mr. Watson's figures are from Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, page 126, and are based on 1947 estimates. 7 Min, JB Mtg, 8 Dec 41, OPD Reg Doc. 8 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, pp. 36-37; Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, pp. 168- 69. Captain Morison secured additional information from Admiral Hart by interview after the war. 9 Hunt, MacArthur and the War Against Japan, p. 27; Wainwright, General Wainwright's Story, p. 18; intervs, author with Col Diller, 24 Aug 49, Gens Sutherland and Marshall, 12 Nov 46 and 7 Apr 48, OCMH. Admiral Hart states that Colonel Clement, unable to "get response from USAFFE Headquarters," passed the news "to one of the staff duty officers at his home." Ltr, Hart to Maj Gen Orlando Ward, 19 Dec 51, OCMH. 10 Brereton, Diaries, pp. 38-39. It is evident from internal evidence that the diary for this period was put in its present form at a later date and cannot therefore be considered always a contemporaneous record. 11 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 34. 12 Interrog of Capt Takahashi Chihaya, Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), 20 Oct 45, and of Comdr Ryosuke Nomura, Opns Officer, 23d Air Flotilla, 11th Air Fleet, 28 Nov 45, in USSBS, Interrogations of Japanese Officials, 2 vols. (Washington 1946) I, 74-76; II, 531; 14th Army Opns, I, 41. 13 Lt. Col. Allison Ind, Bataan, The Judgment Seat (New York, 1944), p. 92. Material used with the permission of The Macmillan Company, publishers. The official air force account of the attack on Clark Field is contained in Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 201-14. General Brereton has a full account in his Diaries, pages 38-44, which must be considered as the evidence of an interested party in the dispute which later arose over responsibility for the disaster. Army Air Action in Phil and NEI, Chapter III, covers the Clark Field attack and is substantially the same as that given in the air force history. 14 Summary of Activities, Far East Air Force, entry of 8 Dec 41, in Air University Hist Off. This document is evidently a transcription from notes hastily made during December 1941. Errors in dating the year of entry are explained as the result of "harried field conditions." Despite the imperfections of this document it remains one of the few written contemporary sources for the events of 8 December 1941. Ltr, Col Wilfred J. Paul, Air University Hist Off, to Gen Ward, 7 Dec 51, OCMH. The official air force account in Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 206 note, takes cognizance of the mistakes in dating in this document. Edmonds, "What Happened at Clark Field," pages 24-26, contains an excellent account of the discussions at air force headquarters that morning. 15 Gen. Henry H. Arnold, Global Mission (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1949), p. 272. 16 Brereton, Diaries, p. 40. The author has also used a letter written by Brereton to the AAF Hist Off expanding the diary entries. 1st Ind, Brereton to Paul, 30 Jan 43, Air University Hist Off. See also Edmonds, "What Happened at Clark Field," p. 25. 17 Summary of Activities, Far East Air Force, entry of 8 Dec 41. General Brereton omits entirely any mention of his conversation with General MacArthur, and states that he received the authorization to attack Formosa at 1100 from General Sutherland. In an interview with the present author in June 1951, Sutherland declared that he does not recall that Brereton spoke with MacArthur that morning. Brereton, Diaries, p. 41. 18 Summary of Activities, Far East Air Force, entry of 8 Dec 41. 19 The first version was given in his interview with Walter D. Edmonds in Manila in June, 1945. The second version was given in an interview with the present author in November 1946. This author interviewed Sutherland a second time in June 1951 and on being presented with both versions, Sutherland was most emphatic in asserting that it was he who had ordered the reconnaissance because Brereton did not have sufficient information to warrant an attack against Formosa. USAFFE and air force records do not contain any material relating to this incident. 20 Rad, Marshall to MacArthur, No. 736, 7 Dec 41, WPD 4544-20. 21 Brereton, Diaries, p. 39n; ltr, Brereton to Paul, Air University Hist Off. 22 Ltr, CofS to CG USAFFE, 21 Nov 41, sub: U.S.-British Co-operation, incl, War Plan RAINBOW 5, WPD 4402-112. 23 Rad, Marshall to MacArthur, 27 Nov 41, No. 624, WPD 4544-13; see above, Ch. IV, p. 71. 24 Interv, Edmonds with Sutherland, Jun 45, and confirmed in interv, Morton with Sutherland, 12 Nov 46. 25 Brereton, Diaries, pp. 34-35. 26 Ibid. 27 New York Times, September 28, 1946, p. 6. 28 Rad, MacArthur to AGWAR, No. 1133, 8 Dec 41. The raid was canceled the next day. Rad, MacArthur to AGWAR, No. 1135, 9 Dec 41. Both in AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. 29 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 16. 30 Summary of Activities, Far East Air Force, 8 Dec 41; Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 207-08; Edmonds, "What Happened at Clark Field," p. 24; 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 16; USSBS, Japanese Air Power (Washington, 1946), p. 7. 31 Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, pp. 6-7; interrog of Capt Takahashi and Comdr Nomura, USSBS, Interrogations of Japanese Officials, I, 75; II, 531. 32 The account of the attack is based, except where otherwise noted, on Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 207-13; Brereton, Diaries, pp. 38-44; History of the Fifth Air Force (and its Predecessors); Edmonds, "What Happened at Clark Field," pp. 28-31; Japanese Naval Opns in the Phil Invasion, p. 6; 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 12. 33 Collier, Notebooks, I, 49. 34 Ibid. 35 Ibid., 50; Army Air Action in Phil and NEI, p. 55. 36 Interv, author with Col Campbell, Sep 46; Collier, Notebooks, 1,50. Colonel Campbell's notebook contains the following entry: Sgt. Alfred H. Eckles, Hopkinsville, Ky., was on duty with Maj. Sam Lamb's communication detail Hqrs. F. E. A. F. Dec. 8th and carried message to Teletype operator re flight of planes heading toward Clark Field, saw it sent and acknowledged as received by them. This at about 11:45 (?) A. M., about 30-45 min. before arrival of bombers and bombing of Clark Field. I, together with Coyle, George and Sprague watched this particular flight for considerable length of time. I kept urging them to do something about it, but they insisted on waiting until they reached a certain distance from field. Sprague typed wrote out message showed it to George and myself. I asked what "Kickapoo" meant in message. Was told it meant, "Go get 'em." Sprague then took message into Teletype Room for transmission, about 15 minutes before bombing. 37 Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 209. 38 Hist of Fifth Air Force, p. 16. This statement would imply that Colonel George was in communication with the pursuit squadron at Clark Field after 1145, although the Bomber Command could not be reached at this time. 39 Hist of Fifth Air Force, p. 16. 40 It is not possible to state the exact time of this attack. Like so many other matters, this question, too, is controversial. The author has selected this time, about 1220, since it is supported by the weight of evidence. Walter D. Edmonds gives the time as 1240 in his account of the attack. They Fought With What They Had, pp. 100, 102n. 41 Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 67. 42 Ibid.; Prov CA Brig (AA) Rpt of Opns, p. 3, Annex IX, USAFFE-USFIP Rpt of Opns; interv, author with Gen Sage, 28 Feb 51. 43 This account of the operations of the 20th Pursuit Squadron is based on an interview with the squadron commander, Col. Joseph H. Moore, 12 August 1949. It varies slightly from the official air force account which places four planes in the air before the attack. 44 It is strange that the pilots over Bataan and Manila did not see the heavy columns of smoke and dust rising from Clark, only fifty miles away. 45 Rad, MacArthur to Arnold, 10 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. 46 Arnold, Global Mission, p. 272. 47 Ibid.; Brereton, Diaries, p. 50. General Sutherland has no recollection of such a telephone call. Interv, author with Sutherland, 12 Jun 51. 48 Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 7. An additional fighter of the 4th Carrier Squadron was lost at Davao. Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 213. There is some disagreement on the number of P-40's lost, some sources placing the figure as low as 42. USSBS, Japanese Air Power, p. 7. 49 Ltr, MacArthur to Marshall, 29 Nov 41, WPD 3489-21. 50 New York Times, September 28, 1946, p. 6; interv, author with Sutherland, 12 Nov 46. 51 Brereton, Diaries, pp. 35-36. 52 Intervs, author and Edmonds with Sutherland. General Kenney was also told this story by Sutherland. General Kenney Reports, p.. 27. 53 New York Times, September 28, 1946, p. 6. 54 Interrog of Comdr Nomura, 28 Nov 45, USSBS, Interrogations of Japanese Officials, II, 531; Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 6. 55 Ind, Bataan, The Judgment Seat, p. 101. 56 Arnold, Global Mission, p. 272. 57 Navy Basic War Plan RAINBOW 5 (Short Title: WPL-46), 26 May 41, Ch. III, reproduced in Pearl Harbor Attack Hearings, Exhibit 129, Part 18, p. 2875. 58 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, pp. 30 ff; Morison, The Rising Sun in the Pacific, pp. 158-60. Strength of the 16th Naval District and 4th Marines was obtained from papers lent to the author by Admiral Rockwell, and from rad, COM 16 to OPNAV, 31 Dec 41, Off of Naval Rcds. 59 The deployment of the fleet southward had been made as a result of the war warning of 27 November which ordered a "defensive deployment." Ltr, Hart to Ward, 19 Dec 51, OCMH. The destroyers at Balikpapan were ordered to Batavia on 6 December, and en route were redirected to Singapore. They were later recalled to Borneo to join the rest of Task Force 5. Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, pp. 36, 41. 60 The disposition of the fleet is also covered in The Java Sea Campaign, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Combat Narratives, pp. 1-6. 61 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, p. 37; The Java Sea Campaign, ONI Combat Narrative, pp. 4-6. 62 Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 213; Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, pp. 6-7. 63 Harbor Defenses Rpt of Opns, p. 18. 64 Prov CA Brig Rpt of Opns, p. 1. 65 Rad, MacArthur to AGWAR, No. 1133, 8 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. 66 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, p. 38; Brereton, Diaries, p. 45; interv, Edmonds with Sutherland, Jun 45. 67 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 16. 68 Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 214. There seems to be some confusion as to the number of B-17's at Del Monte. The History of the Fifth Air Force states that only 12 heavy bombers were based there. Brereton states that 16 B-17's had gone to Mindanao on the 5th, and Craven and Cate, as well as Brereton, state that 13 flew up from Mindanao to Clark Field on the 9th. Brereton, Diaries, pp. 36, 44-45; Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 214. The author has accepted these last figures. 69 Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, pp. 7-8. 70 Ind, Bataan, The Judgment Seat, pp. 119-20; Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 218; Diary of Cpl L. Arthutick, 17th Pursuit Sq, OCMH; Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 7. 71 Admiral Rockwell, Narrative of Naval Activities in Luzon Area, 1 Dec 41-19 Mar 42, p. 4, Off of Naval Rcds; Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 7; Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, p. 171. 72 Rockwell, Naval Activities in Luzon Area, p. 4. 73 Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, p. 172; The Java Sea Campaign, ONI Combat Narrative, p. 6. Admiral Hart states that the submarine torpedoes had been moved to Corregidor and that the torpedoes lost were destroyer torpedoes. Ltr, Hart to Ward, 19 Dec 51, OCMH. 74 Rad, GINCAF to OPNAV, 10 Dec 41, 101330, War Diary of 16th Naval Dist, Off of Naval Rcds. The Navy Department approved Hart's action and at a meeting of the Joint Board on 10 December informed the Army of Hart's decision. Min, JB Mtg, 10 Dec 41, OPD Reg Doc. 75 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, p. 39. 76 Harbor Defenses Rpt of Opns, p. 17. Later, on 16 December, limited use of the lighthouse on Corregidor was allowed. 77 Ibid.; Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, pp. 39-40. 78 Rockwell, Naval Activities in Luzon Area, pp. 5-6. 79 Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, pp. 7-8. 80 Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 218-19; Brereton, Diaries, p. 51; Ind. Bataan, The Judgment Seat, p. 124; Hist of Fifth Air Force, p. 22. 81 Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 8. American sources do not mention an attack at Iba. 82 Ibid.; Morison, Rising Sun in the Pacific, p. 173. 83 Rad, Mac Arthur to AGWAR, 12 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. 84 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 22; Japanese Naval Opns in Phil Invasion, p. 8; The Java Sea Campaign, ONI Narrative, p. 7. 85 Hart, Narrative of Events, Asiatic Fleet, p. 41. 86 Ibid.; rad, CINCAF to Naval Observer, Singapore, 16 Dec 41, 160755, War Diary of 16th Naval Dist, Off of Naval Rcds. 87 Brereton, Diaries, p. 55. 88 Hist of Fifth Air Force, p. 21; Brereton, Diaries, pp. 55, 57, 59; Craven and Cate, The Army Air Forces in World War II, I, 221-22. The Darwin-based B-17's flew missions against the Japanese in Mindanao on 22 and 24 December. Return to Table of Contents Return to Chapter V
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