DBurch7672 wrote:
I believe that the U.S. had information (through breaking the Japanese
"Purple"* code!), that an attack was going to be made on one of
several Allied targets;(including Pearl Harbor!), at the time of the
attack. Given that, (IF it is true!):

That isn't true. Yes, the US had broken purple,, but that was a dimplomatic
code and contianed no tactical details. We hadn't yet fully broken the
relevant naval code, JN-25, but even that would not have helped, as reviews
of Japanese traffic post-war showed that nothing had been sent over air
identifying Pearl Harbor as the target.

At best, the Us had indications that hostilities were due to commence on or
about 7 December. By very early on 7 December, they knew that Japan
intended to reject the US ultimatum and suspend dimplomatic relations.
Clearly, it was likely that hostilities would begin very soon thereafter,
and history suggested a sneak attack was probable. But it was thought that
Japan would leave a bit more time to ensure that the rejection was deliverd
before the trikes. (In the event, they mistimed it and Pearl Harbor
happened just before the Japanese ambassador delivered his note to the
Secretary of State)

However, there was no indication of where, exactly, hostilities would begin.
The IJN had maintained excellent operational security and the US intel
people had the carriers still located in Japanese home waters based on
signals and traffic analysis. IIRC, the one force known to be at sea was
headed south. It was expected that the intial strikes would fall on the
Philipines, with the main IJN fleet held back to intercept the US force
coming to relieve MacArthur (assuming he managed to orgnaize a useful
defense).

WHY did the U.S. Navy NOT move
the Pacific fleet to a place of safety; (like, say, the West Coast)?
No good ports; (given the existance of the ports of Los Angeles, San
Fransisco, Portland Oregon, Seattle, ect; I DON'T THINK SO!)?

Pearl Harbor was in fact considered an advanced base; ships had been pushed
forward to there from their normal bases at San Diego and San Francisco.

Even IF the Japanese had a plan to "Pearl Harbor" a West Coast port;
I would think that the U.S., Royal Canadian, and/or Mexican Navies
would realize something was up in time to give SOME warning! (Just
from NORMAL military, fisheries protection, or "Coast Guard"-type
activity!)

A Pearl Harbor style attck on the West Coast would have been very hard,
thanks to the sheer distance involved. Hawaii was just at the limits of the
IJN's reach. But the West Coast was also too far east for the fleet to have
a chance of immediately relieving the Philipines. So the fleet went to
Pearl.

--
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when
wrong to be put right." - Senator Carl Schurz, 1872