A nation united and gearing up for war: Amazing images that show America's steely resolve in bitter aftermath of Pearl Harbor


It was the early morning blitz that was to be the biggest rallying cry in the history of America.

The attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941, came with no warning.

It also prompted the swiftest call to arms ever seen.

A heavy toll: In a flooded drydock the destroyer Cassin lies partly submerged, leaning against another destroyer. All eight battleships were damaged, with four sunk

Taken a pounding: Damaged ships in the days that followed the attack that directly led the U.S. into war

President Franklin Roosevelt declared that day a 'date which will live in infamy.' The following day he declared war on Japan.

In the tumultuous weeks and months to follow, men and women across the States pledge to sign up for the Armed Forces to play their part in the defeat of Japan.

As these pictures show, it was a determined effort. How could the world's superpower be at the mercy of such a small country, millions of Americans asked.

Call to arms: A sign in a men's room at Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York and, right, patriotic workers at that navy yard who are volunteering to relocate to Pearl Harbor

Battle cry: A sign encouraging Americans to invest in the war effort 'to kill the rats inTokio' The surprise military strike was intended as a preventive action to keep America's Pacific Fleet from interfering with actions Japan was planning in South east Asia. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next Britain's own Pearl Harbour: The Japanese ambush that left... Share this article Share The Pearl Harbor base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.

There were eight U.S. Navy battleships at the harbor. All were damaged with four being sunk.

Sign me up: Young men line up to volunteer at a Navy Recruiting station, Boston, Massachusetts, the day after the Pearl Harbor attacks

All systems go: On the very day of the Japanese attacks there was a rush for uniforms in military stores across the country and, right, a newspaper with a bundle of papers carrying the headline Japs Declare War



Six of the ships were eventually repaired and returned to service later in the war.



The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer.



They destroyed 188 U.S. aircraft, killed 2,403 Americans and wounded 1,282 others.



Japan lost 64 men and 29 planes. One Japanese sailor was captured.

December 8, 1941: A store owner in Oakland, California, of Japanese descent erects a huge sign to show his allegience

Bound for Hawaii: New York naval yard workers on their way to Pearl Harbor to help the war effort

The U.S. was stunned by the attack on Pearl Harbor, but the nation's political and military leaders had long been conscious of tensions with Japan - which was obviously gearing up for war long before December 1941.

The U.S. response, as these rare pictures, was anything but complacent.

Within days of the attack, while the eyes of America were focused on Pearl Harbor and the Pacific, naval yards on the East Coast were already gearing up for what looked to be a long, bloody war.

A nation stunned: Crowds gather in disbelief in Times Square, New York

Devastation: The wreckage of a U.S. Navy amphibian plane that was smashed into pieces in the Pearl Harbor attack

Bewildered: Crowds flock to the White House seeking news on the day of the attacks

No second chance: Men working in the Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor and, right, a young officer hiding in a bunker with his weapon aimed



Taking no chances: After the Pearl Habor blitz, army engineers build foundation for underground hospital in case of future attack



