It actually was a sneak attack. FDR was expecting the main attack to be against the Philippines (it was), but didn't expect an attack against Peal Harbor. They may have sent the carriers to sea against the "remote" possibility of an error.

My father knew this at the time. It was common knowledge among the sailors that it was a put-up job. They were personally aware that FDR had embarked on an unannounced war against Germany (the real objective) by ordering antisubmarine patrols in the Atlantic. This was October of 1941. Subsequent investigation has exonerated RADM Kimmel and LTGEN Short of any negligence, since they were deprived of relevant and urgent intelligence on the disposition of Japanese forces.

It actually was a sneak attack. FDR was expecting the main attack to be against the Philippines (it was), but didn't expect an attack against Peal Harbor. They may have sent the carriers to sea against the "remote" possibility of an error.

My father knew this at the time. It was common knowledge among the sailors that it was a put-up job. They were personally aware that FDR had declared an unannounced war against Germany (the real objective) by ordering antisubmarine patrols in the Atlantic. This was October of 1941. Subsequent investigation has exonerated RADM Kimmel and LTGEN Short of any negligence, since they were deprived of relevant and urgent intelligence on the disposition of Japanese forces.