Japan's meticulous planning and preparation made it possible to surprise the Americans at Pearl Harbor. Alert on Oahu is largely nonexistent. It is the deep breath before the plunge.
There are signals of attack and a buzz of chatter in the air, but will this be enough to force the American defenders out of their beds?
War is sort of declared, but Japanese planes have already started their attack.
The first wave commences its attack, how successful will it be? Will months of planning and preparation pay off?
The first wave continues, and with it, the chaos and destruction.
Desperate and shocked, American forces scramble to mount a resistance to the attack. But how effective can this be as the Japanese launch their second decisive raid?
American pilots are in the air, defending Pearl Harbor. They have already lost so much, and the Japanese show no sign of letting up the attack. How much will the Americans accomplish with their defense?
The Japanese attack is over, but the damage is done and the remaining Americans in Hawaii are left to react to their defeat.
Today marks the beginning of a war all over the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. How will the world change from here?
The circle closes, and we see why these fateful decisions were made and what the United States' reaction will be.