Hand writing: Georgetown Univ. Archives
Larry Collins Papers Box 7, Folder 1
LORD MOUNTBATTEN - INT. 12 - LONDON, OCTOBER 5, 1973 (30)

HIS WARNING IN PEARL HARBOR
Hand writing: Mountbatten    Background
     In 1941, after being sunk on the Kelly, I was 
given command of the aircraft carrier Illustrious which
was being repaired at Norfolk and Col. KINNEY (?) 
asked me to go to PEARL HARBOR and give a lecture
on what the war was like. I replied I'd be delighted if
in return I'd be taken out by BULL HALSEY in the En-
terprise and given 2 - 3 days experience in their deck
handling.  I gave the lecture.  I stayed with
Admiral Kimmel.  And he asked me to address the
other commanders in Chief.  And I did.  Five of them.
I said first of all you've got five HQs widely dis-
tributed with no secure communications between you.
You should have one preferably underground an as bomb-
proof  as possible.  Then I said at HICKAM field you
have 100 pursuit ships [fighter planes] drawn up in straight line.  Nothing
could be more convenient for the Japs.  They'll come over
and go down the whole line with one machine gun.  Ah, 
they said we're more afraid of sabotage.

     Then the Army general (? ) said : "Admiral, do you
know how far TOKYO is from here ?"
     I said "Yes".
                                         LC/Doc-577

LORD MOUNTBATTEN - INT. 12 - LONDON, OCTOBER 5, 1973 (31)

     He said "Do you honestly think they can come from
TOKYO down here?
     He said : "30,000" [probably meaning US troops Marine or Army]
     I said : "What for ?"
     He said : "Well, I've got all these shores 
to protect."
     I said " What from?"
     He said : "In case the Japs try to land".
     I said : "How do you think the Japs are going to land
if they don't bomb you first ? And how do you think
they'll get here if not by sea ?   And what about their
carriers ? They'll come in and bomb you". 

     "I'll tell you exactly how the war can start" I said,
"If I were the Japs and determined to attack you,
I'd take the whole of the aircraft carriers and launch
a tremendous surprise attack over the weekend when you
are not expecting it and that will really mess up your
fleet".

                                         LC/Doc-578