TEXT
OF 4:30 AM DECEMBER 8 (3:30 PM DECEMBER 7, WASHINGTON TIME) MESSAGE
(WAR DEPARTMENT 736 TO USAFFE):
HOSTILITIES
BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES COMMA BRITISH COMMONWEALTH COMMA AND DUTCH
HAVE COMMENCED STOP JAPANESE MADE AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR THIS MORNING DECEMBER
SEVENTH STOP CARRY OUT TASKS ASSIGNED IN RAINBOW FIVE SO FAR AS THEY PERTAIN TO
JAPAN STOP IN ADDITION COOPERATE WITH THE BRITISH AND DUTCH TO THE UTMOST
WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF YOUR PRIMARY MISSION OF defence OF
THE PHILIPPINES STOP YOUR ARE AUTHORIZED TO DISPATCH AIR UNITS TO OPERATE
TEMPORARILY FROM SUITABLE BASES IN COOPERATION WITH THE BRITISH OR DUTCH STOP
REPORT DAILY MAJOR DISPOSITIONS AND ALL OPERATIONS STOP YOU HAVE THE COMPLETE
CONFIDENCE OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT AND WE ASSURE YOU OF EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE
AND SUPPORT WITHIN OUR POWER END MARSHALL