CBS News Radio flashback: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in 1941

Key Concepts

• Martial Law: A system where military authority takes control of the normal administration of justice and civilian government.
• Provost Marshal: The chief of military police, responsible for maintaining order and security.
• Blackout: A mandatory measure to extinguish all lights to prevent enemy aircraft from identifying targets at night.
• Territory of Hawaii: The political status of Hawaii in 1941 before it became a U.S. state.
• Hawaiian Department: The U.S. Army command responsible for the defense of the Hawaiian Islands.

Overview of the CBS Radio Bulletin

This transcript documents a critical historical broadcast from December 7, 1941, aired via CBS station KGMB in Honolulu. It serves as a primary source recording of the immediate military response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The broadcast was designed to reach the civilian population of the Hawaiian Islands to disseminate emergency orders from Lieutenant General Walter C. Short.

Military Directives and Civilian Conduct

Lieutenant General Walter C. Short, Commanding General of the Hawaiian Department, issued a series of strict mandates to maintain order during the crisis:

• Implementation of Martial Law: Governor Poindexter officially proclaimed martial law, placing the territory under military oversight while allowing civilian agencies to continue functioning under the governor's authority.
• Absolute Compliance: Civilians were ordered to obey all military commands instantly and without question. Any appearance of hostility was strictly prohibited.
• Reporting Suspicious Activity: The public was instructed to report enemy agents or suspicious persons to the Provost Marshal at telephone number 2948.
• Detention Protocols: Captured prisoners were to be surrendered immediately to the nearest military patrol, guardhouse, or police station.
• Blackout and Curfew: A total blackout was mandated for the entire territory starting at nightfall. All civilian traffic was prohibited after dark, except in cases of direct emergency. Violations of the blackout were subject to "swift and harsh reprisals."

Strategic Communication and Public Morale

The broadcast highlights the limitations and necessity of 1940s communication technology:

• Urgency and Reach: Radio was the primary medium for mass communication. The broadcast was brief and non-continuous, emphasizing the volatility of the situation.
• Psychological Management: General Short explicitly addressed the civilian population, noting that their reaction had been "calm and satisfactory." He urged citizens to "keep your head and do your duty as Americans," aiming to prevent panic and ensure cooperation with the armed forces.
• Assurance of Security: Despite the surprise attack, the military command sought to project strength, assuring the public that the armed forces were "adequately dealing with the situation."

Notable Quotes

• "If you are ordered by military personnel to obey a certain command, that order must be obeyed instantly and without question." — Lieutenant General Walter C. Short.
• "Any infraction of military rules and regulations will bring swift and harsh reprisals." — Lieutenant General Walter C. Short.
• "Keep your head and do your duty as Americans." — Lieutenant General Walter C. Short.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The broadcast serves as a testament to the immediate transition from peacetime to a state of total war. By utilizing radio to enforce martial law, the U.S. military sought to centralize control, mitigate the threat of sabotage, and maintain public order in the face of an unprecedented surprise attack. The document illustrates the gravity of the December 7th event, highlighting how the military prioritized absolute civilian compliance and the total obscuration of the islands to prepare for potential follow-up strikes.