Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

The Administration Initiates an Investigation 377
had enjoyed “closer cooperation in the last eight or ten months
than . . . ever . . . before.” 15
Testimony revealed clearly that responsibility for the protection
of Pearl Harbor’s shore-based establishments rested on the
Army and Navy jointly. 16 Th e Army’s role was basically to defend
onshore establishments, the naval base, and the fl eet when it was
in harbor. Th e Navy’s responsibility was off ensive, to support the
Army by operations at sea. Th e Navy was not responsible for the
defense of the base in case of an air raid, but, it was “responsible for
the naval elements that could be made available [to the Army and
the Army Air Force] for the defense of Pearl Harbor.” 17 Kimmel
was not included in the joint Army-Navy plan for defending the
base’s onshore establishments; he fully “expected when the fi ght
came on that he wouldn’t be down here in the harbor; that he
would be on the high seas fi ghting.” 18 According to him, the fl eet
was to have freedom of action, to “go and come without being
concerned about the safety . . . [except for] the broader strategy
of operations.” 19 As Kimmel put it, “a Fleet base is a haven for
refi t, supply, and for rest and recreation of personnel after arduous
duties and strenuous operations at sea.” 20 Pearl Harbor’s defense
was in the hands of the Army.
Th e Navy’s aircraft carriers were of special concern. Planes
could not take off from a docked carrier, so when in port, both
carrier and any planes “would be vulnerable . . . to attack and . . .
destruction.” 21 For safety’s sake, when in harbor, carrier aircraft
15Joint Committee, Pearl Harbor Attack, part 22, p.55.
16Ibid., part 22, p. 11, testimony of Major William S. Lawton, general staff
corps liaison offi cer with the Navy, in charge of joint Army-Navy activities.
17Ibid., part 23, p. 1149. Kimmel testimony; part 22, pp. 10–11. Kimmel memorandum
of December 21, 1941; part 23, 1211 Kimmel testimony.
18Ibid., part 22, p. 55. Short testimony.
19Ibid., part 23, pp. 1129–34.
20Ibid., part 23, p. 1129.
21Ibid., part 23, pp. 1217–18.