The USS Arizona's Twitter Is Live-Tweeting Pearl Harbor, Complete With Pictures
Today is of course the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona is live-tweeting the events as they happened in real-time. I’ve started it when some of the American generals, admirals and captains returned to their quarters the night of December 6th, 1941.
There are A LOT of tweets so I’ve omitted a few to make it read a little quicker. Our poor men and women at Pearl Harbor truly had NO IDEA this was coming.
The time stamps will read in your local time zone — Hawaii is 5 hours behind EST.
Admiral Kimmel and General Short retire for the evening. Their commands and lives would be changed forever in a few hours. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Aboard USS Arizona, Admiral Kidd and Captain Van Valkenburgh also retire to their cabins. Their lives would both end in a few hours.
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The USS Arizona has returned to Pearl Harbor along with the USS Nevada and the USS Oklahoma. They are now all tied up on Battleship Row.
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The Japanese attack force “Kido Butai” with its destroyers, cruisers, battleships and 6 carriers speed at 24 knots due south. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Most of USS Arizona’s crew is now aboard ship. It is midnight at Pearl Harbor. Sunday, December 7, 1941. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Admiral Yamamoto sends a message to the attack fleet: “The fate of our Empire depends on this expedition. Each of you will do your duty.”
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The Japanese task force receives intelligence on ships at Pearl. 9 battleships, 3 light cruisers, 17 destroyers. No carriers. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The Japanese attack fleet continues its course south towards Hawaii. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
In Washington, there is a continued concern about the potential threat of Japanese aggression in the Pacific. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Aboard the Japanese carriers aircrews awake, take a light breakfast and make final preparations to fly to Hawaii. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Pearl Harbor sleeps quietly just as it did 75 years ago. The USS Arizona and its moment in history was but a few hours away. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/NY6buyaurB
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The minesweeper USS Condor operating south of the Pearl Harbor channel sights the periscope of a small submarine. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Crews aboard the Japanese carriers are performing final checks of their aircraft. 90 minutes until launch. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Admiral Yamamoto signals – “The fate of Imperial Japan depends on this battle. Everyone must fulfill his duties with utmost dedication.”
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese cruisers Chikuma and Tone launch scout planes to search the waters near Pearl Harbor and Lahaina Roads on Maui. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese aircrews start to board their fighter, torpedo and bomber aircraft on the six Imperial Navy carriers. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Pearl Harbor from the air a few months prior to the attack showing the entire harbor, Ford Island and Hickam Field. pic.twitter.com/bgM0uN4100
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese carriers turn into the wind and prepare to launch the first wave of aircraft bound for Pearl Harbor. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The Imperial Japanese Navy launches the first wave of 183 aircraft from 6 carriers 230 nautical miles north of Oahu. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
183 aircraft of the first wave under the command of Cmdr. Mitsuo Fuchida are now inbound to Hawaii. 90 minutes to history. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Good morning from Pearl Harbor, Hawai‘i. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/z6yT8AhZpt
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The destroyer USS Ward makes contact with what it believes to be a submarine near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
USS Ward transmits: “Have attacked, fired upon and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive area”. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The USS Ward sinks a Japanese midget submarine at the mouth of Pearl Harbor. Thus firing the first shot of the war. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
7 of the Pacific Fleet’s 9 battleships are anchored this morning on “Battleship Row”. Including the USS Arizona. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The tranquil waters of Pearl Harbor with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on this December 7, 2016. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/Tj5OdHFTbj
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Radar operators at Opana Point Mobile Radar Station detect a large formation of aircraft 132 nautical miles north of Oahu. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Report of this contact is sent to the Air Information Center at Ft. Shafter where it’s determined that it’s a flight of B-17s. It is not.
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Aboard USS Arizona, most crew members have eaten breakfast and many are now preparing for church service. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The view attacking pilots flying over Pearl Harbor likely had on the morning of December 7th 1941. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/GKHjufNfst
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Admiral Kimmel, Commander-in chief, US Pacific Fleet receives word that USS Ward has sunk a sub at the mouth of the harbor. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The Akagi’s second wave of attacking aircraft preparing to takeoff for Pearl Harbor. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/2bufXMwZn7
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Admiral Kimmel cancels his golf date with General Short and immediately proceeds to his office at the Submarine Base. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese crewmen aboard the carrier Akagi cheer as the second wave takes off for Pearl Harbor. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/Ti5cVyTW34
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese aircraft now within 22 miles of Pearl Harbor. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Bound for Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe, Hickam and Wheeler Field, Japanese dive bombers are now readying for takeoff. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/2qLxdDWBfP
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Unknown aircraft flying in formation are spotted over Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore flying south.#PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The skies looking towards where the Japanese aircraft would have come on the morning of December 7th. #PearlHarbor pic.twitter.com/ZLcVeubymE
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
From Commander Fuchida : Surprised achieved. Tora Tora Tora. (To)tsugeki (Ra)igekki. His radioman repeats the code for one minute.
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Cmdr. Fuchida leading the Japanese air attack signals Tora! Tora! Tora! indicating that the attack is a complete surprise. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
At this moment 75 years ago, the United States of America comes under attack by the Empire of Japan. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Dive bombers appear over Ford Island and there are explosions near the seaplane hangars. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
FROM CINCPAC TO ALL SHIPS PRESENT AT HAWAIIAN AREA….AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NO DRILL. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Over Pearl Harbor, the attacking Japanese aircraft begin their bombing runs. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/vuF7nNJIII
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Donald G. Stratton, S1c heads towards his locker in the passageway behind Arizona’s No. 2 gun turret. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The first torpedoes strike Battleship Row and bombs have hit the seaplane hangars on Ford Island. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/C62in3wBR6
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Japanese aircraft fly low over Battleship Row after they release their aerial torpedoes followed by massive explosions. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
USS Arizona sounds the alarm: GENERAL QUARTERS. GENERAL QUARTERS. ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Aerial torpedoes from Japanese aircraft continue to strike Battleship Row including the USS Oklahoma and USS West Virginia. #PearlHarbor75
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
0801 A B5N2 high altitude horizontal bomber with an armor-piercing 800kg bomb from the carrier Hiryu aprroaching Oahu. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/eFk2nmLvra
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Painting by Tom Freeman showing a Nakajima torpedo bomber launching its torpedo on Battleship Row. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/30v0sf62BI
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Battleship Row and the USS Arizona are under attack along with Hickam Field in the distance. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/pfG2iUEdrx
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
Flying high over Battleship Row, bombs and torpedoes continue to hit their targets. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/iJDodEuPX6
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
The view that pilots from high altitude bombers had as they prepared to bomb Battleship Row. #PearlHarbor75 pic.twitter.com/1Dj99P1WNX
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
USS Tennessee and the USS California have taken hits. California is listing and is burning. #PearlHarbor74
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2016
USS Arizona has taken at least two bomb hits and is now fire. #PearlHarbor75