Made in Italy. Superb detail. Beautifully crafted. 3.25 inch King. Perfect for a 15.75 inch board. THE PIECES Another excellent set of quality pieces by the renowned Italfama of Italy. Franklin Roosevelt makes an imposing King in this wartime set of pieces with, what we believe to be, a Vice Admrial of the Navy as his second in command. Army and naval personnel make up the bishops and pawns, all resplendent in their respective uniforms but it is the US destroyer riding the crest of wave and fighter plane against a plume of smoke that are the unique pieces in this contingent, representing the knight and the rook respectively, that catch the eye. The Japanese side is led by Chūichi Nagumo who was, eventually, Admiral of The Imperial Japanese army. Whilst he did not come up with the plan to attack Pearl Harbour, he oversaw this campaign. This piece is beautifully detailed with medals and insignia. Nagumo was surrounded by able lieutenants and we believe he is supported here by Minoru Genda, a military aviator and politician. His is also best known for helping to plan the attack at Pearl Harbour. The smartly uniformed bishop bears his binoculars and fighter pilots stand to attention as the pawns but again, it is the knight and rook, depicted as an aircraft carrier atop a wave and fighter plane against a billowing cloud, that take centre stage for this army. For these outstanding chess men, we would recommend a board of approximately 16 inches. Our 15.75 inch Walnut and Maple Chess Board matches these pieces beautifully and creates the The Pearl Harbour Second World War Hand Painted Themed Chess Set. THE HISTORY On the morning of December 7, 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service carried out a surprise military attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii Territory. This attack, also known as the Battle of Pearl Harbour, the Hawaii Operation or Operation Al, led the United States to enter into World War II. This attack was intended to prevent the US Pacific Fleet from interfering with attacks planned in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the States. Over the 7 hours, these attacks were felt in the US-held Philippines, Guam, Wake Island and on the British Empire of Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong 353 fighter planes, bombers and torpedo planes attacked and into total, 8 US battleships were damaged, four of which sank. They also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. 188 aircraft were destroyed, 2403 people were killed and 1178 were wounded. Japanese losses were minor by comparison : 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lose, 64 servicemen killed and 1 captured. There were various precedents for the unannounced military action by Japan but the lack of any formal notice, whilst negotiations were underway led President Roosevelt to declare that day a \'date that will live in infamy\'. The attack on Pearl Harbour was later judged to be a war crime by the Toykyo Trials as it took place with out a declaration of ware and without explicit warning.