The 1932 exercise is introduced here as Fleet Problem XIII. Its scenario placed Hawaii under enemy occupation, with the Army defending and the Navy preparing to support Marine landings. John Towers planned a preliminary carrier attack, and Lexington, Saratoga and destroyers detached from the main fleet for a high-speed approach during the night. Harry Yarnell's force launched from about 100 miles north of Oahu and surprised the defenders at dawn on Sunday. A later Japanese officer reportedly credited the American example with influencing the 1941 attack. That recollection is treated cautiously because the Sunday routine could have been recognized independently and earlier.
Chapter · 49:08-51:31
The 1932 carrier exercise rehearses a Sunday surprise
In 1932, Lexington and Saratoga separated from the fleet and launched a dawn Sunday carrier attack against Oahu from about 100 miles north.