FRIDAY SURPRISE: Why us?
During World War II, Oregon had
the singular distinction of being attacked by the Empire of Japan
not once, not twice - but on three separate occasions. It would seem that the war
planners in Tokyo had it out for us!
In early 1942, Fort Stevens - which stood guard at the mouth of the
Columbia River - was shelled by the Japanese submarine I-25. Just a
few months later that same submarine, this time fitted with
an underwater aircraft hangar, launched a small airplane and
bombed our southern coast. Finally, in 1944, the Japanese military
launched a series
of balloon bombs against North America, most of
which landed in the forests of Oregon. One of those balloons landed
in south-central Oregon, and killed 6 people - the only war
casualties to occur in the mainland United States.
So, why Oregon? Basically, because we were the most convenient yet
lightly defended target available to them. There is a lesson in
that...
-=[ Grant ]=-