For this task, I have researched in to some injuries that may have occurred as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how they would look in real life. Studding real cases of these injuries will help me familiarize myself with the reality of these situations, allowing me to achieve an extremely realistic outcome, when it comes to re-creating these injuries with Special Effects Makeup – in my final assessment.
Warning- This document contains the study of injuries that may have occurred during the attack on pearl harbor, and contains images of real injuries. Some people may find this content upsetting.
During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, almost 20 American ships, and over 300 aircraft were destroyed. The mass destruction of land and possessions caused around 2,403 sailors, soldiers and civilians to lose their lives, after suffering horrific injuries. Only around 1000 of those injured during this attack were lucky enough to survive.
Among the many injuries inflicted by this attack, victims may have suffered; Burns, Bullet wounds, Shrapnel injuries, Cuts, Bruises, Scrapes, Breaks, fractures, traumatic amputation, Hypothermia, and drowning.
Burns
During the attack on Pearl harbor, burns would have been suffered as a result of explosions, or heavy gunfire, from aerial attack. Burns, from first to fourth degree, may have been suffered after a person came in to contact with fire, or sparks, after a bomb had been dropped on the area.
Chemical burns may also have been inflicted on those near any kind of strong acidic substance, when it was hit by open fire. A chemical burn is much less charred than an open fire burn, and looks more like melting skin.
Bullet wounds
Any person at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack, was at extremely high risk of suffering a bullet wound. Not only could these people be in the firing line of the Japanese aircraft, but the panic and fear they would be feeling, meant they would not have been paying full attention to their surroundings – and could have potentially even been shot by an American sailor, or soldier who was attempting to fight back at the Japs.
Entry bullet wounds
Exit bullet wounds
Shrapnel injury
Anyone near the site of an explosion would have been susceptible to receiving a shrapnel injury. Shrapnel is a term used to describe fractions of a bomb, shell or any other object that may be thrown out by an explosion. If someone is near the site of an explosion they are highly likely to be striked by some form of shrapnel, causing them harm.
Cuts
Many of the people at Pearl Harbor would have sustained cuts when trying to escape the attack. As previously mentioned, when acting in panic we do not tend to pay much attention to our surroundings, therefore leaving ourselves much more vulnerable to injury. Attempting to escape attack may have led some people to fall, or run into sharp or blunt objects, which could have caused open lacerations.
Bruises
When trying to run, or hide from the attack, people would have been likely to fall over, or run into things, causing bruising. Bruising will also form around most other, more severe injuries, as a result of trauma to the site.
Scrapes
People were also likely to trip or stumble, when running to find shelter during this attack. This means many people would have suffered with scrapes and scratches all over their body. These injuries often occur as a result of falling in to a blunt, or rough object or surface.
Breaks and fractures
As a result of falling over, or impact from gunshots and explosions, many people would have suffered from broken, fractured or dislocated bones. These injuries cause extreme bruising, and may also create an open wound.
Traumatic amputation
Many people would have suffered traumatic amputation, as the result of explosions, or after becoming trapped under objects while trying to escape or hide.
Hypothermia
For the members of the armed forces that were onboard the ships at pearl harbor, while they were targeted and sunk, many men decided to try and save themselves by jumping into the water. This water would have been cold, and after long periods of struggling in the water, men may have begun to suffer hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the body is losing temperature faster than it can produce it, causing burns, or discoloration of the skin.
Drowning
As mentioned above, many men would have attempted to escape death by jumping off of sinking ships, into the water. If not a result from extreme exhaustion, drowning could also be caused by getting trapped inside, or underneath a shipwreck – meaning you would have been unable to reach the water’s surface. Drowning is the process of respiratory impairment, from submersion of liquid, and although not always fatal, most of those who suffered from drowning during this attack, would have passed as a result.
Megan Hoff 