Video: 'Japanese task force leaves for Pearl Harbor November 26, 1941 This Day in History'

(Wednesday, November 26, 1941, 6:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time; 11 days before the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor) — An aircraft carrier strike force (Kido Butai or “Mobile Unit/Force”) departed Hitokappu Bay on Kasatka (now Iterup) Island in the Kuril Islands in northern Japan this morning en route to a position northwest of Hawaii, intending to to launch its 408 aircraft to attack Pearl Harbor if negotiations with the United States do not reach a successful conclusion.

Video: 'Pearl Harbor - 2 Hours That Changed The World ABC News' (Japanese task force sails towards Pearl Harbor at 27:35)

Making the 3,000-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean were six aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku), nine destroyers, two battleships, two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and three submarines.