Part 5/9:
On the morning of the attack, the Japanese fleet was impressively assembled, comprising six of their best aircraft carriers and over 400 planes. It was the largest attack force Japan had ever mustered. The success of this stealthy operation hinged on diligent preparations, including monitoring U.S. communications, censoring news stories, and navigating a less-trafficked northern route towards Pearl Harbor.
During the attack itself, an error in communication could have drastically altered the outcome. Radar operators stationed on the northern coast of Oahu detected incoming Japanese aircraft but mistook the signal for friendly planes. When the warning was reported, it was dismissed, resulting in missed opportunities for timely defensive maneuvers.