First Shot

by
Marii Chernev
0630 hrs, Sunday, December 7th 1941. The USS Ward, a World War I 'four stack' destroyer, on anti-submarine patrol, sights the conning tower of an unidentified midget submarine trying to sneak into the U.S. Navy anchorage at Pearl Harbor. Immediately going to 'battle stations', the number one deck gun crew fire the opening round for the U.S. in the upcoming Pacific War. The first shot went over the conning tower, but the second shot from the Ward, number 3 gun on the starboard side hit squarely under the conning tower. The sub went down immediately and the Ward proceeded to drop depth charges to ensure the subs destruction. Despite the flash report notifying headquarters, Pacific Fleet, that the Ward had engaged and sank an unknown submarine off the entrance to Pearl Harbor, the early morning hours of a lazy Sunday failed to elicit a response that well could have had the defending forces better prepared for the oncoming Japanese assault.

Original Image Size: 36" x 24"
Price: Sold

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