Re: [Amc-list] Dec 7th 1941 PEARL HARBOR DAY

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Sounds ludicrous now, but remember that at the time radar was cutting edge, very new technology. That was one of only a handful of radar units in the entire US armed forces -- it wasn't even standard on ships at the time! Now you can get a radar unit to mount on almost any size boat, at least any easily capable of off-shore operation, and it's affordable! As I recall from history books there was a flight of B-17s due in, and that's what the blips were mistaken for. Radio wasn't as used or reliable as it is today either. Air traffic simply wasn't tracked like it is now -- there wasn't much need! German tank crews didn't even have radio until near the end of the war. We tend to first look at things we now take for granted in today's context, not putting it into the proper historic perspective. 

After saying all that I still have to agree with Andrew -- the report should have been forwarded on and checked out rather than blown off as possibly the flight of B-17s and/or unfamiliarity with the new equipment. A smarter commander would have reported and let someone higher up decide what to do with the info. 

-----------
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 16:02:41 -0500 (EST)
From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)

may we also never forget the radar techs who spotted the incoming
blips nor their commanders who blew off the sighting when they
could've given many minutes' warning.  the day would live very
differently in our memories if they had taken it seriously.

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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