What would happen if the Japanese sunk the carriers at Pearl Harbor?

In the end, it is unlikely that the destruction of two carriers at Pearl would have turned the tide of war. The massive fleet of carriers that the United States built by 1944 would have overwhelmed the prewar Imperial Japanese Navy, even without the losses at Coral Sea, Midway and Guadalcanal.

What kind of damage did the Japanese do to Pearl Harbor?

In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields were likewise destroyed. Most important, 2,403 sailors, soldiers and civilians were killed and about 1,000 people were wounded.

What was the biggest failure of the Japanese at Pearl Harbor?

Japan’s Attack Failed to Disarm the U.S. Fleet No U.S. aircraft carriers were at Pearl Harbor that day, and the Japanese were unable to destroy vital infrastructure such as repair shops and fuel tanks.

How serious was the damage done to the fleet at Pearl Harbor?

The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including 8 battleships. The three aircraft carriers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were out to sea on maneuvers.

What would happen if Pearl Harbor never happened?

At the most extreme, no attack on Pearl Harbor could have meant no US entering the war, no ships of soldiers pouring over the Atlantic, and no D-Day, all putting ‘victory in Europe’ in doubt. On the other side of the world, it could have meant no Pacific Theatre and no use of the atomic bomb.

Was Pearl Harbor a success or failure for Japan?

From the Japanese perspective, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a great success. Eight battleships were sunk and 18 other ships were damaged. The Japanese virtually wiped out the American air capability with the loss of 180 planes and with 128 damaged.