Pearl Harbor's Radar Warning

Long history of intelligence failures, BBC, 11 July 2004

The US Congress issued a stinging report because no adequate steps were taken in Pearl Harbor itself to cover against an attack.

Although the radar station picked up the approach of the Japanese aircraft, nobody could interpret the signs and there were no aircraft ready to repel them.

There were plenty of aircraft near Pearl Harbor. More were expected that day.

That's why no alarm went out. The radar operators had no way of telling friendly from hostile aircraft.

Which lead to the development of IFF during World War II.

-HJC