Operation K

Operation K
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II

Approximate route of Operation K.
Date4 March 1942
Location
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 United States  Japan
Commanders and leaders
None Hisao Hashizume
Strength
None 2 Kawanishi H8Ks
3 submarines
Casualties and losses
Minimal private property damage Loss of submarine I-23

Operation K (K作戦, Kē-Sakusen) was a Japanese naval operation in World War II, intended as reconnaissance of Pearl Harbor and disruption of repair and salvage operations following the surprise attack on 7 December 1941. It culminated on 4 March 1942, with an unsuccessful attack carried out by two Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boats. This was the longest distance ever undertaken by a two-plane bombing mission, and one of the longest bombing sorties ever planned without fighter escort.[1][2]

  1. ^ Budnick, p. 95
  2. ^ "Japan's little-known 2nd surprise attack on Hawaii failed in more ways than one". Stars_and_Stripes. 28 February 2018.