Pearl Harbor Pictures

Pictures of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

Updated June 30, 2017
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The surprise attack destroyed much of the United States' fleet, especially the battleships. This collection of pictures captures the attack on Pearl Harbor, including pictures of planes caught on the ground, battleships burning and sinking, explosions, and bomb damage.

Planes Caught on the Ground

Picture of bomb damage at Pearl Harbor after the surprise Japanese aerial attack.
Pearl Harbor, taken by surprise, during the Japanese aerial attack. Wreckage at Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor. (December 7, 1941). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
  • Airfield taken by surprise
  • Burned and wrecked hangar
  • A burned B-17C
  • Cleaning the apron
  • Hangar and planes damaged and set afire
  • Wrecked patrol planes
  • Aerial view of the hanger

Ground Forces Surprised

Picture of a machine-gunned truck after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A machine-gunned army truck at Hickam Field, Hawaii, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. (December 7, 1941). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
  • A machine-gunned army truck
  • Burning barracks
  • Wreckage in the Naval Hospital grounds

Explosions and Fire on the Battleships

Picture of the USS Shaw exploding during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor.
USS Shaw exploding during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, T.H. (December 7, 1941). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Bomb Damage in Pearl Harbor

A picture of bomb damage aboard the USS California after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
USS California; Bomb Damage, 2nd deck starboard side. (circa 1942). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Sinking Ships

Picture of the USS Arizona sinking after being hit by Japanese air attack in Pearl Harbor.
The battleship USS Arizona sinking after being hit by Japanese air attack on Dec. 7,1941 at Pearl Harbor. Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Battleship Row

Picture of Battleship Row in a mass of flames after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
"Battleship Row" is a mass of flames and smoke, with USS Oklahoma in the foreground, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
  • Battleship row after the attack
  • Battleship row after the attack on Pearl Harbor

Wreckage

Picture of warships damaged at Pearl Harbor.
Warships damaged at Pearl Harbor. (December 7, 1941). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Japanese Wreckage

Picture of a wing from a Japanese bomber shot down during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A wing from a Japanese bomber shot down on the grounds of the Naval Hospital, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. (December 7, 1941). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Captured Japanese Pictures

A captured Japanese photograph taken aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Captured Japanese photograph taken aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Raising and Salvaging the USS Oklahoma

Picture of the USS Oklahoma after refloating in 1943.
USS Oklahoma - Salvage; Aerial view from overhead after refloating. (December 24, 1943). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Raising and Salvaging the USS Arizona

Picture of the raising the USS Arizona after it was sunk at Pearl Harbor.
USS Arizona (BB39); Foremast structure, conning tower, and top of turret #2. (February 17, 1942). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.