FRIDAY SURPRISE: Why us?

Friday, April 20, 2007 Filed in: Friday Surprise!, History, Completely irrelevant
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 ]=-
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