Philippines attacked WWII?

Question

I'm confused. As far as i always knew, the Japanese first struck the Philippines by air on December 7 1941, immediately after Pearl Harbor on the same day. However, various history books blur the actual date of attack because of the time difference. Some books say that Pearl Harbor was attacked early morning December 8 1941 (Philippine Time) But this does not make sense because why would the Philippines be a whole day behind in the time difference?? did they have a different time system then??

Thus saying that the Philippines were attacked for the first time on December 8 (Phils Time) NOT December 7

Answer 1

RedSox,
this is but one representation of "blurs" that you will see in history books across the spectrum of battles and other events during WW II. For example, following our Declaration of War on the Imperial Empire of Japan, the Germans declared war on the U.S. dated 10 December, 1941. If, however you were a Wermacht or SS Soldier serving on the Eastern Front - the date of declared war on the U.S. was in fact 11 December, 1941 - and you would likely have been curious as to why (when the U.S. Declares War on Japan, then Germany on the U.S.) the Japanese did not declare war on the Russians.

To your basic concern however, it was December 8th (there is an International Date Line that one crosses by air and sea when traveling across to and fro' the Pacific Ocean) in the Phillipines when on December 7th Pearl Harbor was attacked. In light of what today is, and if you know of any WW II or other Military Hero's in your neighborhood - please thank them for their service.

Semper Fi,

Gerry :)

Answer 2

The international date line was in effect back then as well. The 'blur' can come because some authors make mistakes about that date forgetting about the international date line.

If you'd been alive and at Pearl Harbor your base would've been attacked first. The Philippines and Wake were attacked later in the same day after Pearl Harbor.

Answer 3

The technology of 1941 afforded to make big attacks at daylight. Therefore the Japanese could not do anything else but attack the Philippines early in the morning several hours after Pearl Harbor. So there was no surprise factor and the Japanese expected heavy fighting. But the US commanders were idiots and the soldiers sleeping. (As by the way in Pearl Harbor: There readiness for combat had been ordered but the order was not obeyed.) So, when they "blur" the facts, this American shame can not be seen. But of course, date line and the other stuff mentioned is correct, too.

Answer 4

International Date Line. It is Dec 7 right now in Hawaii, it is Dec 8th right now in th PI