Disclaimer-I do not own Hetalia or President Roosevelt's speech. Also the measurements found later in the post are not exact, instead they are estimates based on some maps that I found in a local library. It turns out Alaska is actually only about 430 miles away from the closest Japanese island.
Dedication-This story is dedicated to the U.S. civilians who faced constant threat of attack from the air, sea, and ground to defend Alaska, the citizens of the nine villages who were evacuated to the Alaskan Panhandle that were forced to burn their homes to prevent them falling into the hands of the Japanese, but most of all to the American, Canadian, and Japanese soldiers who fought and suffered a casualty rate second only to the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Prologue-The Giant Has Woken
December 8, 1941—Capital Building, Washington, D.C.
Room was solemn as the President of the United States of America rose to take his place at the podium. After taking a few moments to glance across the crowd and to calm his breath, looked down at his paper and spoke the words that would officially bring his nation into WWII.
"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
"Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
"The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
"Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
"It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace."
In the balcony overlooking the assembly hall, an aide in his early twenties turned to leave. He was unremarkable except for the dark bruise spreading across his cheek bone and the intense anger that burned hard in his blue eyes. The other White House aide looked at his peer in confusion.
"Wait, Alfred? Where are you going? The President is still giving his speech."
Without a look over his shoulder, America stated two simple words. "War plans."
-Secure Bunker, Suburbs of London, England
It was past midnight, but in the mist of war a nation doesn't sleep. No, there was simply too much work to do and not enough time to do it. That said, England and Canada did look up from their work as the voice of America's president broke through the static on radio.
"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
"Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
"Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
"And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
"Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation."
England's eyes were a light with a mixture of grief and anger. Not only had Japan attacked one of Great Britain's strong allies without bothering to give a declaration of war, but only hours late that same nation had chosen to smite a blow on his mighty Empire. Even now His Majesties troops were dying in defense of the tiny Dominion of Hong Kong.
"What are we going to do?"
"We are going to beat them." England's words smoldered on the old nations lips. "Pound them so hard they never dare cross my Empire or my allies again."
As they two nations turned back to the pile of intelligence files, Canada couldn't help but wonder if his western most cities would soon be attacked from the air. He sighed; there was nothing he could do about that. The majority of his military forces and supplies were dedicated supporting Great Britain. All Canada could do was give a silent prayer for British Columbia, America's fragile pacific territories, and poor Hong Kong's defenses, and hope that this awful war would end soon.
-Alaska's Cabin, Fairbanks, Alaskan Territory
At this time of year, the nights were long and each day's brief hours of sunlight were a precious resource to be savored. Even with the sun partially blocked with gray clouds, it was light enough to bring in logs from the woodpile and do the other outdoor chores necessary to keep the household function. Those chores was the reason the personification of Alaska, had been outside when the President had started his speech. Now she was standing in the hallway with a puddle of water her feet. Alaska made no movement to clean up the mess. She was too focused on the words of her nation's President and Chief to pay attention to such a trivial thing.
"As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
"I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
"Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
"With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
"I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."
For a few moments the radio was silent, and during those moments the two territories stood, frozen, trying to process the enormity of the announcement. Then an announcer came on. As if a spell was broken Yukon's hand went to his month and Alaska sank to her knees.
"Samantha, where do you keep your maps?" The words were barely a whisper on Yukon's lips.
"Upstairs…in the loft." Alaska said without really thinking.
"Go get them."
Alaska didn't need any prompting. It only took a few moments for Yukon to push the Christmas baking aside. By the time the Alaskan Territory returned he had cleared a sizable spot on the heavy wooden table to place the stack of maps. It took Yukon a few moments to find the map he wanted, but once he did he set to work. With the practiced hand of a cartographer he began to measure the distances between two points scribbling them down on the margins of the newspaper that they had been using to package the sweets.
4000 miles from Japan to Hawaii
2100 miles from Japan to Wake
1500 miles from Japan to Guam
Hands shaking he put down the results of the last calculation.
1400 miles from Japan to Attu, Alaska
Yukon looked up from the calculations he was making on the map and locked eyes with Alaska. He didn't say a word...he didn't have to. Every other American territory in the North Pacific had already been attacked by the Japanese forces. It was only a matter of time before Alaska would also be threatened…and they both knew that the territory was defenseless.
Historical Note- When many American's are taught about US being attacked by outside forces, three events are mentioned, the War of 1812, Pearl Harbor, and September 11th. Unfortunately they often forget there was a fourth event. On June 3, 1942 the Japanese began to bomb of Alaskan town of Dutch Harbor. By June 7th Japanese had attacked settlements on the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska, taking American civilians living on the islands' to POW camps in Japan. It was the first time North American soil had been occupied since the War of 1812. A yearlong bloody battle erupted as America and Canada fought the Japanese and the weather to keep the invaders off of North America. But even though the Battle for the Aleutians played an important role in WWII, it is often referred to as the Forgotten 1000 Mile Battle.
In Closing-So…what do you think? Really, I want your opinion. Please leave a review or PM me. I would love to know what you think I should do to make this story better.
Next Week's Chapter- Chapter 1: Lend a little, Lease a little-Six months prior to Pearl Harbor America has a secret meeting with England in order to arrange for the British to 'borrow' a few destroyers. At the end of the meeting America admits that to Canada that he is currently planning on building the largest battleship ever made. A ship that will break the naval treaties created after WWI.