How did the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan begin?

The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan began on the morning of December 7, 1941. It was a surprise military strike executed by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory. Here's a step-by-step overview of how the attack unfolded:

1. Objective Planning: Japan sought to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor in order to inhibit American naval power in the Pacific, thereby allowing Japan to pursue its imperial expansion without interference.

2. Secrecy and Movement: In the weeks leading up to the attack, the Japanese strike force, led by Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, maintained strict radio silence as they moved across the North Pacific Ocean to avoid detection.

3. Launch of Aircraft: On the morning of the attack, Japanese aircraft carriers stationed approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) north of Oahu launched two waves of air attacks. The first wave was launched at about 6:00 a.m.

4. The First Wave: At approximately 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time, the first wave of Japanese planes, consisting of torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers, and fighter planes, arrived over Pearl Harbor. Their primary targets were the battleships and aircraft.

5. Devastation Unfolds: The Japanese achieved surprise and inflicted significant damage. The U.S. was unable to mount a coordinated defense initially, leading to the destruction of many aircraft on the ground and significant damage to battleships.

6. The Second Wave: Shortly thereafter, a second wave of Japanese aircraft arrived and continued the attack, targeting other ships and shipyard facilities.

7. Outcome: In under two hours, the Japanese had attacked in two waves, involving 353 aircraft, and inflicted critical damage: four battleships were sunk, four others were damaged, and 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed with additional damage to others, along with significant human casualties.

8. U.S. Response: The attack led to the United States' formal entry into World War II, as the U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941.