US Navy Report of Japanese Raid on Pearl Harbor, Enclosure E, USS Phoenix

Editor's Note: The following content is a transcription of a period document or a collection of period statistics. It may be incomplete, inaccurate, or biased. The reader may not wish to take the content as factual.

11 Dec 1941

ww2dbaseCL46/A16
(0202)
U.S.S. Phoenix

December 11, 1941.


From: The Commanding Officer.
To: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
 
Subject: Report of attack on Pearl Harbor -- December 7, 1941.
 
Enclosure: (A) Brief Narrative of Events.

  1. Enclosure (A) is forwarded as directed.
  2. No direct damage to enemy planes by this vessel can be definitely established. Three planes which were under fire of several ships including Phoenix were seen to crash.
  3. No damage was inflicted on this vessel by enemy fire. Number 3 - 6" gun was placed out of commission owing to swollen barrel.
  4. There were no individuals who were outstanding in the performance of duty.

[signed]
H.E. FISCHER.


Copies to:
Combatfor
Comcrubatfor



Time marked with an asterix are fairly definite.
TIMEEVENT
0755*First attacking planes sighted from signal bridge attacking from north of Ford Island. Plane had all guns firing, passed over stern of Raleigh and proceeded toward Ford Island Central Tower and dropped bomb.
0800Bombing attack on battleships (Plane markings: varied "U.S.--", Swastika's and Rising Sun, painted on fuselage).
0806*Phoenix made radio signal to ships of sector four to "prepare to get underway".
0807*One plane burning in water at end of pipe line astern of berth F-8.
0810Machine gun battery opened fire on attacking planes.
0815AA Battery opened fire.
0845Ship ready to get underway.
0900Formation of 11 planes crossed over fleet on heading 070, high altitude. Approximately 10,000. Planes appeared to be painted silver. Expended approximately 50 rounds of 5". No apparent damage to planes.
0910 (Approx)  Second bombing attack on battleships. Expended approximately 60 rounds 5" ammunition.

After planes came out of dive and turned toward berth C-6 planes were brought under fire of machine gun battery.
0900-0915Dive bombing attack on ships berthed northern side of Ford Island. Attack made at about 30° angle opposed with AA battery and machine gun battery. Expended about 20 rounds 5".

One plane was entirely disintegrated by DD fire.
0900-0930Effected periodic fire on planes delivering low level bombing attack on Navy Yard and ships berthed there.
1010Got underway, but returned to berth C-6 on receiving orders not to sortie.
1030Got underway and started out of north channel, but received message from Tennessee "From Cincpac do not sortie". Turned around in channel and started back to berth C-6. On receipt of orders from Commander Cruisers, Battle Force proceeded via south channel and completed sortie and joined Commander Task Force One.

TOTAL AMMUNITION EXPENDED:
353 - 5"/50 Cal.
35 - 3"/25 Cal.
4500 - 50 Cal. Machine Gun.
ww2dbase

Source(s):
United States National Archives, Modern Military Branch

Added By:
C. Peter Chen





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