The attacking force brought six carriers, escorts, tankers, and submarines against a substantial concentration of American warships, but did not commit every available Japanese carrier. The surface group included Hiei, Kirishima, Tone, Chikuma, Abukuma, destroyers, and eight tankers, while light carriers such as Zuiho and Hosho stayed out of the force. This limits the case for calling the operation an all-out decisive-battle effort. The first and second waves also devoted major effort to Ford Island, Wheeler, Hickam, Kaneohe, and other airfields, showing how the raid aimed to clear the way for further strikes as well as hit ships. The second wave's heavier losses show that American air defenses were already recovering despite the suppression effort.
Notable Point · 1:05:30-1:11:08
The raid force and airfield suppression
The force was large but not the whole Japanese fleet, and its waves combined ship attacks with systematic suppression of American air power.