Q 01/05

In which year did Japan attack the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor?

A) 1939

B) 1941

C) 1938

D) 1940

Answer · why

B) 1941

The raid came while the United States was still officially neutral in World War II; the declaration of war followed the next day.

Q 02/05

Pearl Harbor is on which Hawaiian island?

A) Oahu

B) Maui

C) Hawaii (the Big Island)

D) Kauai

Answer · why

A) Oahu

The harbor lies just west of Honolulu and is still headquarters of the US Pacific Fleet.

Q 03/05

At what local time did the Japanese air assault begin?

A) 9:30 a.m.

B) 11:05 a.m.

C) 7:48 a.m.

D) 6:15 a.m.

Answer · why

C) 7:48 a.m.

It was 6:18 p.m. in London and already 3:18 a.m. on December 8 aboard the Japanese carriers, which kept Tokyo time.

Q 04/05

How many Japanese aircraft struck the base across the two waves?

A) 500

B) 720

C) 353

D) 180

Answer · why

C) 353

Japan had 414 planes available; 350 flew in the raid, and 48 more fighters stayed behind as combat air patrol over the carriers.

Q 05/05

The attacking planes were launched from how many Japanese aircraft carriers?

A) Six

B) Eight

C) Five

D) Four

Answer · why

A) Six

Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku sailed with two battleships, three cruisers, eleven destroyers and eight oilers.