Defenses of Pearl Harbor and Oahu 1907–50

Defenses of Pearl Harbor and Oahu 1907–50

Author: Glen Williford

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2013-01-20

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 1472800621

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At the beginning of the 20th century, the military importance of the Hawaiian Islands became clear. Oahu in particular was a key bastion in projecting America's military power in the Pacific. The island was turned into a military fortress and yet it also became the site of one of America's greatest defensive failures, the Japanese attack of December 7, 1941. By the end of World War II, the harbor itself was the most heavily defended in the world, and the island had earned the sobriquet "Fortress Oahu". This title documents the development of the coastal, air and land defense systems that served to protect Pearl Harbor and Honolulu from 1907 to 1950, and seeks to understand why these failed at a critical point.


Battle Ready

Battle Ready

Author: David M. Hansen

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780874223200

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Altered landscapes and an array of concrete structures-- remnants of Puget Sound fortifications-- serve as silent reminders of a unique chapter in Pacific Northwest history. The waterway's wide entrance, deep waters, and recurrent fog left it vulnerable to attack, and it became part of the National Coast Defense System in 1894. Following construction on Point Wilson, Admiralty Head, and Marrowstone Point, the harbor became one of the most heavily guarded in the United States. "Battle Ready" describes designs, innovations, frustrations over implementation plans, and the experience of serving in the fortifications during their period of greatest importance. The extensively researched volume summarizes the fascinating saga of Washington State's seacoast defense, presenting the broad story in both a national and local context.