Existing comment:
Communication Breakdown:
History shows that FDR realized Japan might attack the US, but because of jumbled communications he had no way of knowing the target would be Pearl Harbor.
Could We Have Stopped Pearl Harbor?
President Roosevelt did not learn of Japan's plans to attack Pearl Harbor until it was too late. This was partly the result of clashing between the Army and Navy over who would monitor diplomatic messages from Japan. Finally, they compromised: they would alternate even- and odd-numbered days. As a result of this inefficient system, communications broke down and valuable information about Japan's intentions slipped through the cracks. |