Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Japanese Submarine Plane Bombs Oregon Forest in 1942
During World War II, Japan sent a small airplane from a submarine toward the United States.
On September 9, 1942, the plane dropped fire-starting bombs on a forest near Brookings, Oregon.
This was the first aerial bombing of the U.S. mainland during the war.
The attack caused very little damage.
Nobody was hurt or killed.
Japan hoped the fires would spread and frighten people along the Pacific coast.
The plan did not cause the panic Japan wanted.
The U.S. government also kept the event mostly quiet at first so Japan could not use it as propaganda.
On September 9, 1942, a Japanese submarine launched a floatplane near Brookings, Oregon.
The plane dropped incendiary bombs on a forest, marking the first aerial bombing of the U.S. mainland during World War II.
The attack caused little damage and no casualties.
Japan intended the bombs to start forest fires and create panic along the Pacific coast.
The U.S. government initially kept the incident largely out of the news to deny Japan a propaganda victory.
- Who
- A Japanese submarine crew launched a floatplane; the U.S. government responded by limiting news coverage.
- What
- A floatplane dropped incendiary bombs on a forest, marking the first aerial bombing of the U.S. mainland during World War II.
- When
- September 9, 1942.
- Where
- A forest near Brookings, Oregon, on the U.S. Pacific coast.
- Why
- The attack was intended to start forest fires and create panic; U.S. officials initially restricted publicity to prevent a Japanese propaganda victory.
- Date
- September 9, 1942
- Attacker
- Japan
- Launch platform
- A Japanese submarine
- Aircraft
- A floatplane
- Target
- A forest near Brookings, Oregon
- Damage and casualties
- Little damage and no casualties
- U.S. information policy
- The incident was initially kept largely out of the news