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Did Japan Attack the Continental US - Fact or Fantasy?

Mark Felton Productions・43 minutes read

Japanese submarines and Commander Nishino carried out attacks on the US mainland, causing fear and panic amidst heightened tensions post-Pearl Harbor. Despite US countermeasures, Japanese balloon bombs were launched towards North America, resulting in minimal casualties, with the only known fatalities in Oregon.

Insights

  • Commander Nishino's personal revenge motive for attacking the US mainland stemmed from a humiliating incident at Elwood Refinery, marking the first successful attack on the US mainland since 1812 and sparking fear and panic along the American West Coast.
  • Japan developed innovative weapons during World War II, such as launching balloons equipped with bombs towards North America, controlled by an intricate system, with the US developing countermeasures like Operation Firefly to intercept these balloons, despite only a small percentage reaching North America and causing limited fatalities.

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Recent questions

  • What was the significance of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

    The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a pivotal event that led to the United States' entry into World War II. It involved a surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy on the US naval base in Hawaii, resulting in significant damage to the American fleet and infrastructure. This attack directly prompted the US to declare war on Japan the following day, marking the beginning of the country's involvement in the global conflict.

  • Why did Commander Nishino attack the US mainland?

    Commander Nishino's attack on the US mainland, specifically targeting the Elwood Refinery near Santa Barbara, stemmed from a personal revenge motive. Nishino had experienced a humiliating incident at the refinery, which fueled his desire for retaliation. Additionally, Japan's conquests in early 1942 heightened tensions between the two nations, leading Nishino to carry out the attack as a strategic move to undermine American morale and instill fear along the West Coast.

  • How did the US respond to the Japanese attacks on the West Coast?

    Following the Japanese attacks on the West Coast, particularly the Elwood Refinery and Fort Stevens incidents, the US military responded by placing forces on high alert for potential Japanese air raids. The Army claimed Japanese bombers attacked Los Angeles, leading to fears of invasion and heightened security measures. Despite the initial panic, detailed searches found no Japanese Naval presence in West Coast waters, and the LA air raid was eventually declared a false alarm by the Secretary of the Navy.

  • What were the Japanese balloon bombs during World War II?

    The Japanese balloon bombs were a unique weapon developed during World War II, involving launching balloons equipped with bombs towards North America. These balloons were controlled by an intricate system of aneroid barometers and batteries to maintain altitude and release the bombs. Once released, the balloons rode wind currents in the jet stream at high altitudes, with ballast bags of sand automatically released to maintain altitude. The US developed countermeasures to shoot down these balloons, fearing potential chemical or biological weapons being launched.

  • How successful were the Japanese balloon bombs in reaching North America?

    Despite the efforts of the US to counter the Japanese balloon bombs through Operation Firefly, only a small percentage of the 9,300 balloons launched from Japan reached North America. The balloons were uncontrollable once released and relied on wind currents to reach their destination. The only known fatalities from these balloon bombs occurred in Oregon when an unexploded bomb was accidentally triggered by civilians, highlighting the limited success of this unconventional wartime tactic.

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Summary

00:00

Japanese Submarine Attacks on US Mainland

  • Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941, involving aircraft and submarines.
  • Nine large Fleet submarines were around Hawaiian Islands during the attack, launching two-man submarines before aerial strikes.
  • Japanese Naval command ordered large submarines to head to the US West Coast post-Pearl Harbor success.
  • Japanese submarines hunted close to California and Oregon coasts to undermine American morale.
  • Japanese submarine I-7, despite orders, attacked the American coast near Santa Barbara.
  • Commander Nishino's personal revenge motive stemmed from a humiliating incident at Elwood Refinery.
  • Japan's conquests in early 1942 heightened tensions, leading to Nishino's attack on the US mainland.
  • Nishino's attack on Elwood Refinery marked the first successful attack on the US mainland since 1812.
  • Nishino's attack sparked fear and panic along the American West Coast, with invasion fears prevalent.
  • Following the Elwood Refinery attack, US forces on the West Coast were placed on high alert for potential Japanese air raids.

18:06

LA Air Raid: False Alarm or Invasion Threat?

  • US Army claimed Japanese bombers attacked LA between 2:30 and 4:30 a.m. on a tentative estimate of 15 enemy aircraft.
  • Detailed search the next day found no Japanese Naval presence in West Coast Waters.
  • Secretary of the Navy declared the LA air raid a false alarm on February 26.
  • No evidence of Japanese raid found, no bomb damage, no downed planes, no participants came forward.
  • Gunners possibly fired at false radar returns, weather balloons, or a large alien spacecraft.
  • Japanese submarines were real, causing fear of invasion in early 1942.
  • Commander Nishino and the I7 attacked the Elwood oil refinery on February 28.
  • I25 and I26 Japanese submarines departed Japan for the West Coast in May 1942.
  • I25 equipped with a reconnaissance aircraft, I26 attacked the Estan Point Lighthouse in Canada.
  • I25 torpedoed the British freighter near Cape Flattery, while I26 attacked Fort Stevens with no retaliation due to various issues.

36:05

Japanese Attack on US West Coast

  • The rifles at the fort could only shoot a maximum of 16,200 yards.
  • Houston lacked radar to accurately control his shots at the moving enemy vessel.
  • Houston feared the Japanese would easily locate and counter the fort's main armament if they opened fire.
  • American gunners were confused and morale plummeted as they awaited orders to fire.
  • The Japanese fired 17 shells at Fort Stevens, causing superficial damage before departing.
  • Chief Warrant Officer Fueta planned an aerial attack on the US West Coast using a floatplane.
  • Fueta dropped incendiary bombs on Mount Emily and another location, starting a small fire.
  • The Japanese torpedo found near the Golden Gate Bridge was identified as a Type 93 Long Lance.
  • The torpedo was detonated by a US Navy demolition squad after being found in the sandbank.
  • Commander Ishikawa of the I-15 submarine ordered an attack on San Francisco using torpedoes.

53:05

Japanese Balloon Bombs Target North America

  • A new weapon developed by Japan during World War II involved launching balloons equipped with bombs towards North America, controlled by an intricate system of aneroid barometers and a battery to maintain altitude and release the bombs.
  • The balloons, once released, were uncontrollable and reached North America by riding wind currents in the jet stream at altitudes between 20 and 40,000 ft, with ballast bags of sand automatically released to maintain altitude.
  • The US developed countermeasures, codenamed Operation Firefly, to shoot down the balloons before they could release their payloads, fearing potential chemical or biological weapons being launched.
  • Despite the US efforts, only a small percentage of the 9,300 balloon bombs launched from Japan reached North America, with the only known fatalities occurring in Oregon when an unexploded bomb was accidentally triggered by civilians.
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