Number | Aircraft | Ship Name | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
35 | PBYs—31 | | |
6 | Grumman TBF Avengers | | |
19 | | | |
7 | | | |
17 | Vought SB2U Vindicators | | |
21 | Brewster F2A Buffalos | | |
17 | | | |
4 | | |
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese fleet, issued a dire warning to the Imperial Headquarters before the attack on Pearl Harbor, foretelling, "For six months, I will run wild in the Pacific. After that, I make no guarantees." His prophetic statement set the stage for the pivotal Battle of Midway, marking a significant turning point in the Pacific Theater. The Japanese aimed for the utter destruction of the American fleet.
On May 27, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo led the 1st Japanese Squadron, accompanied by the IJN Kirishima Battleship, IJN Mikuma, IJN Chikuma, IJN Tone, IJN Haruna, and other supporting vessels. The Squadron had 256 aircraft across four Aircraft Carriers and 11 battleships, departing from Hashirajima port on the same name island, situated between Hondo and Sikok, en route to Midway. Their objective was to capture the island, a key base for US bombers controlling a vast expanse of the Pacific.
Aware that they had cracked the Japanese Navy code (JN 25) and that the enemy intended to seize Midway, setting a trap for the comparatively weaker Pacific fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz ordered Task Force 16, led by Rear Admiral Spruance, comprising the Carriers USS Enterprise and USS Hornet, Heavy Cruisers USS Pensacola, USS Northampton, USS New Orleans, USS Minneapolis, and USS Vincennes, Light Cruiser USS Atlanta, 11 destroyers, two tankers, and 19 submarines, to sail from Pearl Harbor to Midway. The American forces mustered 234 aircraft across three carriers and the Island of Midway.
The Allies' prior knowledge of the Japanese fleet's intentions played a key role in their response. Admiral Chester Nimitz emphasized, "Had we lacked early information of the Japanese movements, and had we been caught with carrier forces dispersed… the Battle of Midway would have ended differently."
Midway Atoll 30°N 178°W
Time Line:
On May 31, the Japanese intercepted 180 urgent US radio messages, indicating that the enemy was aware of their presence. To avoid detection, Nagumo's Squadron, leading the Japanese fleet, had to maintain radio silence.
On June 2, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo had to relay an unexpected change of course to Admiral Yamamoto. Contact was established through an internal communication network with a limited range. While the IJN Yamato intercepted the message, the American Squadron failed to intercept it despite being within range. Task Forces under Spruance and Fletcher rendezvoused 350 miles northwest of Midway. Fletcher then relocated both squadrons 200 miles to the north of the island.
On June 4, at 4:30 a.m., Admiral Nagumo launched the first wave of 72 bombers and 36 fighters toward Midway Island, which was approximately 240 miles away.
June 4, 6:26 a.m., Midway's radar station detected the Japanese aircraft and scrambled land-based aircraft to intercept it. Wildcats and Brewster Buffalos proved no match for the Zeros.
June 4, 7:05 a.m. – 8:10 a.m., the airfield came under attack, but the land-based aircraft had minimal impact. Despite the initial wave's success, Admiral Nagumo deemed a second attack necessary to incapacitate the airstrip.
June 4 at 8:00 a.m., 151 aircraft from the US carrier fleet launched an attack against the Japanese fleet. High-level bombing from Douglas Dauntless aircraft on USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown inflicted heavy damage on the Soryo, Agaki, and the Kaga.
June 4, 7:10 p.m., the Soryu was abandoned, and the Kaga and Akagi were scuttled the following day.
CONCLUSION:
Thus, the Battle of Midway, one of the most pivotal naval engagements in history, marked the ascendancy of aircraft carriers in naval warfare, eclipsing the dominance of heavily armored battleships.
The Japanese operation aimed to lure the American Pacific fleet into a confrontation by occupying many islands, including Midway and the Aleutians. The Japanese suffered substantial losses, including around 3,500 sailors, four aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 322 planes. Most significantly, they forfeited a considerable portion of their highly trained and courageous pilots.
The United States experienced losses of 307 sailors, an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, and 150 aircraft. Nevertheless, the Battle of Midway is a decisive turning point in the Pacific War. The memorial on the island bears the words, "They had no right to win. Yet they did, and in doing so, they changed the course of a war. Even against the greatest odds, through a magic blend of skill, faith, and bravery, the human spirit can lift men from certain defeat to incredible victory."