NOVA announces finding the fifth Japanese midget sub and indications are that it was responsible for the sinking of the Oklahoma.

from ChattahBox:  On the anniversary of the 1941 attack that led the United States into World War II, new evidence reveals the Japanese also attacked Pearl Harbor from under water, as well as the air.

The “NOVA” television series announced today that a routine test dive in the waters near Pearl Harbor has uncovered the find that could rewrite the history of the Japanese attack on the U.S on December 7, 1941, which claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans and drew the nation into World War II. A team of researchers on an underwater expedition led by the signature PBS science series recently discovered three sections of mysterious steel wreckage deemed by experts to be the unaccounted-for fifth and final Japanese midget submarine used against the U.S. in a top-secret mission to attack the American fleet from below on that day. The compelling new evidence suggests that the sub fired its torpedoes at U.S. ships in Battleship Row before it sank, most likely at the battleships West Virginia and Oklahoma, capsizing the latter. Five Japanese “mother” submarines approached within a few miles of Pearl Harbor before the Dec. 7 battle, each carrying a Type-A, two-man, midget submarine, about 80 feet long and 6 feet wide, NOVA said.

The sophisticated midget subs were twice as fast as many U.S. subs of the times, with 600-horsepower electric motors that could propel them underwater at speeds of 19 knots (22 mph). They were capable of carrying two Type 97 Long Lance Torpedoes.

All but one of the five midget submarines were found over the years, “either destroyed, scuttled or run aground,” NOVA said. “They missed the targets, failed to fire or were recovered with torpedoes intact. But historians have long puzzled over the fate of the missing sub.”

But the last sunken, two-man, Japanese midget sub was found more than 1,000 feet below the surface during a dive three miles south of Pearl Harbor in nearby West Loch.

The loch was also the site of a 1944 disaster in which six tank landing ships preparing for the secret invasion of Saipan were destroyed in an ammunition explosion that killed 200 sailors and wounded hundreds more. When the Navy scooped up the remains of the so-called LSTs and dumped them outside the harbor to protect the secrecy of the invasion, it apparently also dumped the mini-sub’s remains, which were mingled with the damaged U.S. ships.. Two deep-sea research submersibles operated by HURL (Hawaii Underwater Research Laboratory) operators, located the missing sub nestled among the wrecks of several U.S. amphibious assault vehicles. Parks Stephenson, a marine forensic historian and former U.S. Navy officer and submariner, led the expedition for NOVA to investigate the find. “This important discovery sheds light on a World War II mystery that has eluded historians for nearly seven decades,” said Stephenson.

Historians have long puzzled over the fate of the missing sub and whether it penetrated Pearl Harbor to fire on U.S. battleships.

“Pearl Harbor was always seen as an aerial attack,” said Parks Stephenson, lead investigator of an underwater expedition for the PBS science series, which explored the wreckage of a midget submarine discovered by University of Hawaii researchers.

Eyewitness accounts, a congressional report by Adm. Chester Nimitz, former Pacific Fleet commander, and other clues indicate the midget sub fired two torpedoes and claimed success in a radio call to the Japanese high command 12 hours after the attack, he said.

Stunning, first-ever underwater footage of the missing Japanese midget submarine will be presented in the new NOVA television documentary, Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor, premiering Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at 8 pm ET/PT on PBS.

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Midget sub specs: Length: About 78 by 6 feet.
Weapons: Two Type 97 18-inch torpedoes fired by compressed air. Each was armed with a 772-pound warhead. Once fired, the torpedo had a range of more than three miles, traveling at more than 50 mph.
Crew: Two - a junior officer who steered and a petty officer who operated the ballast and trim valves.
Power: 600-horsepower electric engine could run at full throttle for 50 minutes.
Max. speed: 22 knots at full throttle.
Range: At 2 knots it had a radius of 100 miles.
Name: The midgets were named after the "mother" submarine they were assigned to. Submarine I-24's midget, for example, was I-24tou.

                               Above: USS Oklahoma being salvaged.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" Speech

To the Congress of the United States:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State of form reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The White House, December 8, 1941

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May all those who have died defending our freedom rest in peace and be blessed in the joy of eternal salvation with almighty God.