How the great naval clash at 1942’s Battle of Midway allowed the U.S. and the Allies to eventually beat the Japanese in World War II’s Pacific Theater.
WikipediaThe U.S. Carrier Yorktown at the Battle of Midway .
By early 1942 the Japanese Empire was wring up victory after victory . After the devastating onrush against the American fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7 , 1941 , Japan had hold out on to invade southeast Asia , the Philippines , New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies . Nipponese forces now threaten British India as well as Australia .
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz , the Navy ’s Commander and Chief of the Pacific Areasrecalled : “ From the fourth dimension the Japanese dropped those bombs on December 7 , until at least two month afterwards , there was hardly a day passed that the place did not get more chaotic and disconnected and seem more hopeless . ”
WikipediaThe U.S. Carrier Yorktown at the Battle of Midway.
But the tide of war was about to turn over a seemingly insignificant 25.6 square mile atoll in the midsection of the Pacific call Midway .
Fear From the Skies
Wikimedia CommonsThe attack on Pearl Harbor
Despite their run of triumph , the Nipponese armed forces feared that the Allies could hit back like a shot at the Japanese home islands .
This had a basis in reality which was proved by theaudacious air raidof Jimmy Doolittle on April 18 , 1942 when a squadron of hero launched from the aircraft carrier USSHornetsome 640 miles from Japan dropped bombs on Tokyo and other targets .
Wikimedia CommonsThe attack on Pearl Harbor
WikipediaAdmiral Isoroku Yamamoto ( 1884 - 1943 )
Although the cloth results of the air foray were negligible , it had a larger wallop on Japan ’s morale and strategic thinking .
It was reasoned by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto , head of the Japanese Navy , that the American carrier force needed to be destroyed , and its advancing cornerstone at Midway must be grab . This would expand the Nipponese defensive circumference and prevent postman - base attacks on the homeland .
WikipediaAdmiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943)
Strategic Midway
Wikimedia CommonsMidway Atoll with Eastern Island in foreground . Photo taken in 2011 still show the shape of the landing field .
Midway , some 1,300 mi northwest of Honolulu is the farthest atoll westward of the Hawaiian archipelago .
Being rough halfway between North America and Asia was an idealistic tread I. F. Stone for dark blue across the Pacific . separate into two small islands , Eastern Island and Sand Island , it served as an of import forward base for the U.S. Navy .
Wikimedia CommonsMidway Atoll with Eastern Island in foreground. Photo taken in 2011 still shows the shape of the airfield.
On Eastern Island , the U.S. Navy had three runways while Sand Island held barracks and other facilities . If the Japanese navy could control Midway , it could then easy launch more devastating attack against Hawaii right and thus emasculate American strength in the Pacific .
To Yamamoto ’s reckoning , if Japan attacked Midway then the U.S. navy would have no choice but to defend it . It was a perfect place to stage an lying in wait and destroy the troublesome American carrier force .
Yamamoto’s Plan
WikipediaThe Japanese battlewagon Yamato
Yamamoto ’s program called for a feint flack at the Aleutian Islands . The diversion would appropriate a Nipponese battle fleet to waste Midway via a surprise aerial bombardment from a fleet carrier power .
Then an amphibious landing effect would take control of the island . This would entice the United States out to push .
WikipediaThe Japanese battleship Yamato
Yamamoto would take up the rear with a powerful force of battleship including the immenseYamato . They would swing in to destroy the U.S. fleet when they took the hook .
It was a sound plan , albeit complex , and the Japanese figured that the Americans would not be able-bodied to come up sufficient durability to gravely take exception their military unit since most of the American struggle ships were put out of charge after the attack on Pearl Harbor .
War planners on both face saw carrier not as the quality striking instrument in a fleet action , but rather as a supplementary plague force since naval doctrine at the clip take in battlewagon as the real major power of the fleet .
Wikimedia CommonsJoseph Rochefort (1900-1976), who identified Midway atoll as the site of the planned Japanese attack.
Codes and Ciphers
Wikimedia CommonsJoseph Rochefort ( 1900 - 1976 ) , who identified Midway atoll as the site of the planned Japanese attack .
What the Yamamoto did not acknowledge was that an American crypto - intelligence unit called HYPO , under the leadership of Lieutenant CommanderJoseph J. Rochefort , had decoded the Japanese naval code JN-25B.
Since the Pearl Harbor attack , the U.S. Navy had poured resources into intelligence for forestall another surprise attack .
Wikimedia CommonsAdmiral Chester Nimitz (1885-1966)
It was difficult piece of work . Cryptoanalyst Ensign Donald “ Mac ” Showers recalled , “ There were more than 44,000 entries in the codification Bible that made up JN25B. When we enciphered a content we would go through this dictionary of 44,000 code groups and pick out the codes for the give-and-take or phrase . ” Rochefort ’s squad had expose an attack impendent on what was call “ AF . ”
Rochefort was convinced that AF stand for Midway , but many were doubtful , imagine that AF could support for many unlike positioning . to convince the brass , he stag a illusion subject matter to the Japanese exact wrong to the water provision at Midway .
They sent out the distress sign and sure enough they picked up a transmission from Nipponese naval intelligence agency that once deciphered read : “ piss shortage at AF . ” With that confirmation , the U.S. Navy knew the Japanese plan .
U.S. Navy/Getty ImagesAmerican soldiers walk past the burning wreckage of a Japanese aircraft on Midway Airfield, Midway Island, June 1942.
But Admiral Nimitz face a strategic quandary . The American fleet was outmatched by the Japanese Imperial Navy .
The U.S. Navy ’s battleships lie down underwater at Pearl Harbor or in repair . Of his available carriers , only two were shipshape while the third had been poorly damaged . Further resource were limited because of the Allied strategic decision to center on Germany first .
Nimitz could have avoided battle and waitress until his flattop military capability increase . He could then take Midway later which was reasonable since it was an outpost on an overextended Nipponese conglomerate . But Nimitz calculated that a struggle was his to win or lose , and a win would be critical .
Wikimedia CommonsWaldron’s TBD Devastor just prior to launch at the Battle of Midway.
Mustering for the Battle
Wikimedia CommonsAdmiral Chester Nimitz ( 1885 - 1966 )
On May 26 and 27 , the Japanese plan lead into effect and the fleet voyage out . Meanwhile , Admiral Nimitz deployed his carrier wave : the USSHornet , the USSEnterprise , and the USSYorktown .
Of the three , theYorktownwas the least quick , having sustained legal injury at the Battle of Coral Sea in May 1942 . While the carrier was due for a six - calendar month overhaul , Admiral Nimitz could only afford to give it 72 hr in dry dock .
Wikimedia CommonsDevastators on USS Enterprise.
On June 2 , the American power pile up approximately 350 mile northeast of Midway under the tactical command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher with Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance as the second senior officer .
In amount there were the three aircraft carriers which supported a force of 234 aircraft . This was supplemented by 110 aircraft at Midway as well as 25 fleet bomber which were stationed about the atoll .
They waited for the Nipponese bang force which consisted of four large fleet carriers with 229 aircraft and back ships to screen the toter from counterattack . The Nipponese carriersAkagi , Kaga , Sōryū , andHiryūwere all a part of the military force that attacked Pearl Harbor .
Wikimedia CommonsDauntless bombers over the cruiser Mikuma.
Overall dictation of the mailman fleet was given to Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo . Meanwhile , Admiral Yamamoto hold back his principal fleet until his part of the plan occur into effect .
First Engagement
U.S. Navy / Getty ImagesAmerican soldier walk past the burn wreckage of a Japanese aircraft on Midway Airfield , Midway Island , June 1942 .
At 9:00 a.m. on June 3 , U.S. Navy patrol planes spotted a large Japanese military force approach , organized into five pillar of cruisers , transportation , and cargo ship . The Americans on Midway immediately launch nine , B-17 Flying fortress to intercept the Japanese fleet .
These engage a squad car and transport before being driven off by Nipponese scrapper . The first actual hit of the battle was made by a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying gravy boat , which struck a Nipponese oil tanker with a torpedo at 1:00 a.m. on June 4 .
The carrier Yorktown burning after the first attack.
Meanwhile , the U.S. Fleet was on the move , beam out reconnaissance mission planes to poke into for the location of the Japanese fleet . The Japanese did likewise , but they still did not have a go at it about the presence of the Americans . For the U.S. Navy , it was also hard since while they knew the Japanese were there but that the B-17 approach drive the Japanese fleet to change course .
At 12:00 a.m. on June 4 , Admiral Nimitz had analyse the reports of the patrol planes and place word to his carrier wave task military force of how to place themselves .
On the morning of June 4 , Vice Admiral Nagumo was 240 miles northwest of Midway with his carrier rap force when he launch 108 planes – a combining of fighter , dive bombers , and hero submarine . In the meantime , an American patrol planespotted two of the carrierswith their escorts , “ Many planes lead Midway from 320 arcdegree distant 150 statute mile ! ”
Wikimedia CommonsThe Hiryu adrift and burning on 9 May 2025.
Midway Under Attack
Wikimedia CommonsWaldron ’s TBD Devastor just prior to establish at the Battle of Midway .
The Japanese start bombing at around 6:30 a.m. on June 4 . paladin airplane from Midway were sputter , and 26 Wildcat aircraft take off to mount a defense of the understructure , 17 of which were lost in the military action . Japanese hit the Frederick North side of Eastern Island and the barrack and hangar areas of Sand Island .
Damage was trifling and the Marines on Midway bring off to damage or destruct a skilful part of the attacking aircraft . In response , the Marine corps sent up lookout man hoagie and torpedo bombers to go after the carriers . But they could not overcome anti - aircraft fire from the Nipponese fleet .
CORBIS/Getty ImagesA fire-fighting detail works through a pall of smoke aboard the USS Yorktown after its bombing by Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway. June 1942. | Location: aboard the USS Yorktown, Pacific Ocean, off Midway Islands.
Still , the Japanese modify class .
Wikimedia CommonsDevastators on USS Enterprise .
However , Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron , a squadron air force officer of fifteen Douglas TBD Devastators from theHornet , altercate the heading and attempted to get the strike squad to guide in what he trust to be the correct counselling .
U.S. NavyThe Yorktown on fire.
When he could n’t get them to change their heading , he broke off his 15 aircraft and continue on a southerly course where he come up the Japanese carriers .
At about 9:30 a.m. , Waldron ’s squadron screamed out of the clouds . It was grim business since Waldron had no hero to protect his dive hoagie and had the complete tending of Japanese anti - aircraft measures .
It was a valorous but self-destructive attack . Of the fifteen Devastators , all were shot down . Of the 30 men manning those planes , all but one were lose . However , the attack was not a complete loss since it keep the Japanese off - residuum .
Wikimedia CommonsCaptured survivors of the Hiryu.
McClusky’s Luck
Wikimedia CommonsDauntless bombers over the cruiser Mikuma .
Meanwhile , aircraft from theEnterpriseand theYorktownwere come near . They too were having difficultness locate the target and they were ladder low on fuel . However , Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wade McClusky , Jr. , the Air Group Commander , at 9:55 a.m. spotted the backwash from a Japanese destroyer head northward to join the carriers .
He ordered all his squadrons to proceed on the gallery of the destroyer . Nimitz would statethat McClusky ’s decision “ decide the fate of our carrier project force and our force out at Midway . ”
McClusky see through his binoculars about 35 naut mi removed the Japanese bearer rap strength . His squadron divided in two , one group to attack theKagaand the other theAkagi .
McCluskylater recalled , “ I start the attack , rolling in a half - roll and coming to a steep 70 arcdegree nosedive . About midway down , anti - aircraft fire began booming around us – our approach being a unadulterated surprise up to that point . As we draw shut the dud - dropping point , another stroke of circumstances encounter our middle . Both enemy carriers had their decks full of planes which had just returned from the attack on Midway . ”
McClusky ’s Dauntlesses swooped into the affray , fatally damaging theAkagiandKaga . Meanwhile , a squadron from theYorktownhad get in and snipe theSōryū . flack erupted on the decks creating severe damage .
The carrier Yorktown burning after the first flak .
One reporton the fire on theKagadescribed the carnage :
“ There was a tremendous salvo of fervor near the superstructure . Pieces of the Kaga ’s trajectory deck whirled in the air ; a Zero take on off into the wind was blown into the sea ; the bridge was a shambles of distorted metal , shattered spyglass and bodies .
“ Then came three more vicious explosion , hurling plane over the side , tearing huge muddle in the escape deck and starting fires which fan out to the repair shed pack of cards below . Screaming boater ran around aimlessly , trailing fire .
“ officer shouted order against the deafening blasts . Gasoline pullulate from the planes ’ snap fuel tanks , and some of the pilots who had not been lucky enough to miss the first bomb blast were cremate at their control . ”
Wikimedia CommonsThe Hiryu adrift and burning on June 5 , 1942 .
A Japanese aviator who had assist leave the blast on Pearl Harbor was aboard theAkagi . Herecalledthe attack :
“ At that instance a lookout screamed : ‘ Hell - Divers ! ’ I look up to see three black foe plane plummet towards our ship . Some of our machine guns manage to force out a few excited bursts at them , but it was too former .
“ The plump silhouettes of the American ‘ Dauntless ’ honkytonk - hero sandwich quickly rise large , and then a number of black object short floated eerily from their wings .
“ Bombs ! Down they came straight toward me ! … The terrific belly laugh of the dive bombers reached me first , followed by the crashing explosion of a direct hit … . Looking about , I was horrify by the end that had been knead in a matter of seconds . ”
The heater and flames were so acute it was impossible to count the number of fourth dimension the submarine arrive at their objective with accuracy . All three of the Japanese carrier would eventually be abandoned and scuttled . The whole affair took between six to eight second and essay thedecisive turning pointof the struggle .
Japan’s Last Blow
CORBIS / Getty ImagesA fervor - fight item act upon through a pall of Mary Jane aboard the USS Yorktown after its bombing by Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway . June 1942 . | Location : aboard the USS Yorktown , Pacific Ocean , off Midway Islands .
This bequeath one postman left at Japan ’s disposition , theHiryū . It establish two waves of attacks at theYorktown . The first wafture managed to blow a hole in the carrier ’s pack of cards as well as destroy an anti - aircraft mount . The ship listed , taking it temporarily out of action .
Admiral Fletcher , who had been using the Yorktown as his flagship was forced to transfer his command to the weighed down cruiserAstoria . TheYorktown‘s orphan aircraft usedEnterpriseandHornet‘s flattops for surgical procedure .
Scouting aircraft located theHiryū , and theEnterpriselaunched a smash force against the remaining Japanese immune carrier in the late afternoon .
In an vivid fight , the Americans were able-bodied to concentrate their atmosphere power to overwhelm strong defensive structure to land several bombs on theHiryūsetting it afire . It too was ping out of the combat .
U.S. NavyThe Yorktown on fire .
By sundown , the U.S. Navy had achieved tune domination at Midway and all that was leave were mopping up functioning .
Combat still continued until June 7 and the Japanese were able to get in one last snow . The Nipponese submarine I168 torpedo the damagedYorktownand an consequent uprooter . The carrier rolled over and sank .
Wikimedia CommonsCaptured subsister of the Hiryu .
Impact
In the face of the frustration at Midway , Yamamoto withdrew his master battlewagon military unit and indefinitely called off the attack . The Japanese navy , aside from losing four fleet carriers and a heavy cruiser , lose over 3,000 humankind . The Americans lose the Yorktown , one uprooter , and just over 300 personnel department .
The Battle of Midway also demonstrated for the first time that the future of naval mesh lie with the carriers and the ordnance store carried by their aircraft rather than by battleships .
The Japanese for their part made the usual propaganda claim victory , but they knew they had miss . Nagumo ’s honcho of stave recollected , “ I felt bitter . I feel like swearword . ”
Most significantly for the track of the warfare , the Nipponese navy was for good weakened and their offense deaden .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIGXw0gse58
As naval historiographer Craig L. Symonds write inhis studyof the battle : “ The Nipponese jab was turned back . Though the war had three more age to scat , the Imperial Japanese Navy would never again originate a strategical offense … . The war had turned . ”
Yet the most pithy and celebrated assertion of the struggle is from Walter Lord’sIncredible Victorywhose assessment has been inscribed on the National World War II Memorial : “ They had no right to win , yet they did , and in doing so they changed the course of a war . ”
The Battle of Midway and its intense action has become engraved into American popular memory as much as Pearl Harbor . In fact , its juxtaposition with the licking at Pearl versus the heady turn of the war has been the subject area of legion books , documentaries , picture game , and movies with the latest one in 2019,Midway , which stars Woody Harrelson , Ed Skrein , and Dennis Quaid .
Now that you ’re done take about the Battle of Midway , check out the narration of theBattle of Iwo Jima , one of the most mortal amphibian assaults in history , and read whatKamikaze airplane pilot really thoughtabout their self-destruction missions .
