The second wave of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, launched at approximately 8:40 a.m. on the 7th December 1941, was a critical phase in Japan’s effort to incapacitate the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
While the first wave had successfully taken the Americans by surprise, inflicting heavy damage on battleships and airfields, the second wave aimed to consolidate and complete the destruction.
...the second wave delivered devastating blows...
Comprised of 170 aircraft, including bombers, dive-bombers, and Zero fighters, the second wave targeted ships that had survived the initial onslaught and sought to eliminate any remaining American air power.
Although U.S. defences had begun to organize, the second wave delivered devastating blows, particularly to vessels like the USS Nevada and airfields such as Ford Island.
This assault left Pearl Harbor in ruins, and while less shocking than the first, it ensured that the U.S. military would be crippled in the immediate aftermath, marking a turning point in the Second World War.
The Japanese Second Wave
The second wave of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was meticulously organized into three distinct groups.
Like the first wave, these planes were launched from the same six aircraft carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku—stationed to the north of Hawaii, under the overall command of Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo.
First Group – Dive Bombers: This group included 78 Aichi D3A "Val" dive-bombers, which were assigned to target any surviving American warships, particularly focusing on battleships and vessels still afloat.
The USS Nevada was a key target due to its attempt to escape the harbor. These dive-bombers were crucial in delivering precision strikes to finish off damaged ships.
The second wave of strike aircraft prepare to launch of the Akagi.
...to destroy any remaining planes...
Second Group – High-Level Bombers: The second group, consisting of 54 Nakajima B5N "Kate" high-level bombers, was tasked with targeting American airfields that had already been hit during the first wave.
Their mission was to destroy any remaining planes and further incapacitate key airfields like Hickam, Ford Island, and Wheeler Field, ensuring that the U.S. military's air capabilities were neutralized.
A Japanese plane, braving American anti-aircraft fire, proceeds toward Battleship Row, Pearl Harbor, after other bombers had hit USS. Arizona, from which smoke billows. During the second wave of the Pearl Harbor attack, Japanese aircraft focused on targeting warships and airfields. Dive-bombers attacked surviving ships, while bombers aimed to destroy remaining planes and infrastructure, facing more organized American resistance but still inflicting significant damage.
AP Photo
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/07/historical-photos-of-pearl-harbor-attack-on-december-7-1941/
...these fighters strafed airfields...
Third Group – Fighter Escorts: The third group was composed of 36 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters, which served a dual purpose.
They provided air cover for the bombers, protecting them from any remaining American aircraft that might have taken to the skies.
Additionally, these fighters strafed airfields and ground targets, adding to the chaos on the ground and preventing any organized defense.
...especially targeting the USS Nevada...
The tactical objectives of the second wave were clear: to neutralize any remaining ships and aircraft that had survived the initial attack.
Japanese bombers focused their attention on crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s battleships, especially targeting the USS Nevada, which was attempting to escape the harbor.
The second wave also aimed to destroy remaining American aircraft on the ground, focusing on key airfields such as Hickam Field, Wheeler Field, and Ford Island.
...succeeded in reinforcing the devastation...
Strategically, the Japanese sought to ensure that the U.S. military would be unable to launch an immediate counterattack, either by air or sea, thus consolidating Japan’s dominance in the Pacific.
By striking both naval and air assets, Japanese planners hoped to extend the operational success of the first wave and prevent American forces from retaliating in the short term.
Despite facing a more organized defence, the second wave succeeded in reinforcing the devastation, ensuring that Pearl Harbor would be left incapacitated in the immediate aftermath.
The Attack Begins
The second wave of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which began at approximately 8:40 a.m. on December 7, 1941, was designed to consolidate the damage inflicted by the initial assault and to further cripple American defences.
Although the first wave had caught the U.S. forces off guard, wreaking havoc on battleships and airfields, the second wave faced a slightly more organized defence, as some American personnel had scrambled to respond.
Despite this, the second wave still delivered a devastating blow, focusing on finishing off warships and airfields that had escaped the first wave relatively unscathed.
American ships burn during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
AP Photos
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/07/historical-photos-of-pearl-harbor-attack-on-december-7-1941/
...the distant sounds of explosions...
The second wave – consisting of bombers, dive-bombers, and Zero fighters - launched from the six Japanese aircraft carriers stationed to the north of Hawaii.
Their approach was carefully coordinated to strike just as the initial chaos from the first wave began to subside.
Navigating through cloud cover, they flew low over the Pacific Ocean, following well-rehearsed routes to avoid early detection.
As they neared Pearl Harbor, the distant sounds of explosions and rising plumes of smoke confirmed the success of the first wave
The aircraft were focussed on their mission: target any remaining ships that had survived the initial onslaught and ensure that American air power was further crippled.
By this time, the element of surprise had been lost, and American anti-aircraft fire was more organized.
Nonetheless, the Japanese pilots pressed their attack with precision.
Targeting the USS Nevada
One of the primary targets of the second wave was the USS Nevada. This battleship had been hit during the first wave but had managed to get underway in an attempt to escape the harbor.
As the only battleship in motion during the attack, the Nevada became a prime target for the second wave of Japanese dive-bombers.
The crew of the Nevada found themselves in a frantic race against time as the second wave of Japanese bombers descended.
After being hit during the first wave, the battleship had miraculously managed to get underway, and the mood aboard was tense yet hopeful.
Amidst the chaos, her crew worked feverishly to steer the damaged ship out of the harbour in an attempt to escape further destruction.
USS Nevada (BB-36) beached and burning after being hit forward by Japanese bombs and torpedoes. Her pilothouse area is discolored by fires in that vicinity. The harbor tug Hoga (YT-146) is alongside Nevada's port bow, helping to fight fires on the battleship's forecastle.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/ph-nv2.htm
...multiple direct hits caused severe damage...
As the only battleship in motion, the Nevada became a prime target for Japanese dive-bombers, who recognized the significance of her potential breakout. Bombs rained down as the ship fought through thick smoke and relentless attacks.
Despite her valiant effort, multiple direct hits caused severe damage, and it became clear that escaping the harbor was no longer possible.
In a desperate attempt to avoid sinking and blocking the vital channel, the crew made the gut-wrenching decision to beach the Nevada on the shores of Hospital Point.
Her bold escape attempt had come close, but in the end, she was forced to submit to the overwhelming assault.
The Nevada would later be refloated and repaired, but the damage inflicted during the second wave was severe.
Helena (center left) - a Brooklyn-class light cruiser - at 1010 dock after the attack; the minelayer Oglala has been towed astern where she capsized. Smoke clouds from the burning destroyers Cassin and Downes rise in the distance beyond Helena, while those from the battleship Nevada are visible to the right. The battleship California is down by the bow but has not yet sunk.
Other battleships also took hits in the second wave.
The USS Pennsylvania, positioned in dry dock, suffered significant damage when it was hit by Japanese bombs.
One bomb struck near the stern, causing explosions and igniting fires that spread across the dry dock.
Though the Pennsylvania was not as heavily damaged as other battleships, the attack caused casualties aboard and left the ship requiring repairs, which were completed soon after.
USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was the lead ship of the Pennsylvania-class of battleships built for the US Navy in the 1910's. The Pennsylvania suffered slight damage during the Second Wave attack, but it comparison to some of the other US battleships, escaped relatively unscathed.
...suffered catastrophic damage...
During the second wave of the Pearl Harbor attack, several U.S. ships, aside from battleships, suffered significant damage.
The destroyers USS Cassin and USS Downes, both in dry dock, were struck by bombs, causing devastating fires and extensive damage to both ships, with the dry dock itself became a chaotic scene as personnel struggled to contain the fires.
The Cassin was so badly damaged that it listed over and came to a rest with its superstructure leaning against the Downes.
USS Cassin (DD-372) burned out and capsized against USS Downes (DD-375), in the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard drydock on the 7th December 1941, after the Japanese attack.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/dd372-k.htm
Additionally, the light cruiser USS Helena was hit by a torpedo, suffering hull damage, and the seaplane tender USS Curtiss was damaged by bombs, further contributing to the widespread destruction.
The destroyer USS Shaw was also targeted during the second wave. Moored in a floating dry dock, the Shaw suffered catastrophic damage when a bomb hit her forward magazines, causing an enormous explosion that tore off her bow.
Despite the damage, the *Shaw* would be repaired and returned to service later in the war.
The Japanese bombers score a direct hit. The detonation of the destroyer USS Shaw (DD-373)'s forward magazines. She was in floating drydock YFD-2 that morning.
DC Colorized Photo
