This map predicted how Japan would attack the US during World War II

[steve2470]

http://www.businessinsider.com/map-of-how-japan-could-attack-us-world-war-ii-2016-5

On November 7, 1937, the Los Angeles Examiner published a prescient map predicting how Imperial Japan could attack the US during World War II.

Created by Howard A. Burke, the map imagined a Japanese attack on the US that closely predicted the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor four years later on December 7, 1941. Burke rightly noted that Japan's first target would be Hawaii and the US fleet docked at Pearl Harbor.

"The first objective must be capture of Hawaii," Burke notes on the map. "This would mean crippling or annihilating the U.S. fleet, giving Japan one of the world's greatest naval bases — Pearl Harbor."

After that attack, Burke then imagined that Japan would follow up the assault with a two-pronged naval and aerial strike from Hawaii against Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a simultaneous Japanese assault from Alaska working its way down the Pacific Northwest.

[Galileo126]

1. Burke was close...

Yes, Pearl Harbor was the key to a Japanese attack. That awoke the "sleeping giant".

I think San Fran was an initial target, but capturing islands in the South Pacific became more of a priority than invading the contiguous 48 states. It was more "close to home" when it came to Japan. I don't think LA would have been in Japan's best interest, but certainly demoralizing if it came to fruition.

Burke had it right regarding Alaska (Aluetian Islands), though.

However, Japan did try to bomb the west coast using balloon bombs, hoping to start wildfires and messing with our timber industry.

Very interesting, for this history buff!

ps: Hi Steve-o!

[steve2470]

2. hey Galileo126!

Good to see you!

[47of74]

3. A teacher said in high school

...that an invasion of the west coast was the next step if the Battle of Midway went Japan's way. Which fortunately it did not.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. This journalist described a plan to attack Pearl Harbor, which Yamamoto may have copied:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2698896-visions-of-infamy

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DEioYdQ7L._SX365_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg Check out the side-by-side maps.