The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-7, 1942, was a pivotal naval conflict in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Marking a turning point in the war, the U.S. Navy, using code-breaking intelligence, ambushed and decisively defeated Japan’s fleet near Midway Atoll. The U.S. sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, crippling Japan’s naval strength and shifting the balance of power in favor of the Allies. This victory halted Japanese expansion in the Pacific and set the stage for future Allied offensives. The battle is considered one of the most significant naval victories in history.

Midway: Four minutes Change Everything

Historical EventThe Battle of Midway
DateJune 4–7, 1942
LocationMidway Atoll, Pacific Ocean
BelligerentsUnited States vs. Japan
Commanders (US)Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Admirals Raymond A. Spruance and Frank Jack Fletcher
Commanders (Japan)Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
US forces3 aircraft carriers, 7 heavy cruisers, 15 destroyers, 233 aircraft
Japanese forces4 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 15 other warships, 248 aircraft
OutcomeDecisive American victory
Key ResultJapan loses 4 aircraft carriers, crippling its naval power, Turning point in the Pacific War in favor of the Allies, and preventing further Japanese expansion in the Pacific
The Battle of Midway

Introduction

In the 35 years following the Battle of Tsushima, big-gun battleships had ruled the waves, but on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor signaled the dawn of a new era of naval warfare: the once-fearsome battleship was obsolete, and airplanes were now the dominant weapon. Indeed, the outcome of the war in the Pacific, which both sides had anticipated would feature close-range slugging matches between rows of battleships, would instead be decided by dueling aircraft carriers, separated by hundreds of miles, flinging squadrons of bombers and torpedo planes at one another. The most dramatic and pivotal of these carrier-versus-carrier matches took place in June 1942 around the island of Midway.

The Opponents

  • (1) The person who most shaped the Battle of Midway was the commander of the Japanese fleet, Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto studied at the Japanese Staff College and was then sent to the
    United States for several years. He attended Harvard University and was appointed as a naval attaché in Washington, D.C. Back in Japan, he commanded several ships, including the aircraft carrier Akagi, and this experience made him an early advocate of air power in naval warfare.
  • (2) Yamamoto was part of the naval faction that resisted the army’s adventurism in China and Manchuria, and he opposed provoking a war with the United States in the Pacific, fearing that the Americans would be able to use their enormous natural resources and industrial capacity to overwhelm Japan. When Japan nevertheless committed itself to a policy of expansion in the Pacific that would inevitably bring it into conflict with the United States, Yamamoto had to devise a plan to maximize Japan’s chances of victory.
  • (3) His solution was a surprise attack on the U.S. fleet that would destroy or disable its battleships and aircraft carriers, freeing the Japanese navy to capture the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies,
    whose natural resources were vital raw materials for Japan’s military. The raid on Pearl Harbor fulfilled his expectations.
  • (4) What did not go according to plan was that the U.S. aircraft carriers were out of port when Pearl Harbor was attacked. As the war progressed and it became clear that victory at sea would be determined by air power, all that stood between Japan and its goal of achieving total domination over the Pacific was this handful of American aircraft carriers. Yamamoto began to craft a plan to lure these ships out to do battle where the superior Japanese forces could catch and sink them.
  • (5) Yamamoto had always had a predilection for complex, multipart operations, but his scheme to trap the American carriers was the most elaborate yet. It featured a vast armada and thousands of soldiers on troop transports to carry out planned invasions. The main strike force of four large carriers was commanded by Admiral Nagumo.
  • (6) The key to the plan was the tiny island of Midway, the last outpost in the American defenses before Pearl Harbor. The main Japanese strike force would bomb Midway, and troops would land and occupy it. Meanwhile, another task force would invade the Aleutian island chain leading to Alaska. Yamamoto was sure that the Americans would send their aircraft carriers and the remnants of the U.S. Pacific fleet from Pearl Harbor to defend midway. There, they would be attacked by planes from the Japanese carriers and sent to the bottom of the ocean.
  • (7) The Japanese believed that the Americans could not muster more than two carriers to oppose them at Midway; thus, the four Japanese carriers would be more than enough to deal with the Americans. In reality, they would face three large American carriers that could launch 233 aircraft, compared to the 248 that the four Japanese carriers could launch. Despite the size of their armada, Japanese overconfidence allowed a lopsided contest to even out in the category that really mattered.
  • (8) The Japanese were unaware that the Americans had advance warning of Yamamoto’s plan. American intelligence agents had managed to partially decipher their code; thus, the American commanders knew the basic outline of the Japanese strategy, including the fact that Midway was the target and when the Japanese intended to strike it.
  • (9) Yamamoto’s American counterpart was Admiral Chester Nimitz, a tough, no-nonsense leader with a long career in the navy. In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Pacific fleet. At Midway, his chosen delegates to conduct the battle were the highly experienced carrier commander Jack Fletcher and Raymond Spruance, known for his calm demeanor and calculating mind.
  • (10) Once he knew Yamamoto’s plan, Nimitz saw an opportunity to turn the tables and potentially deliver a serious blow. He heavily reinforced the island, especially the airfield, stationing a squadron of B-17 bombers there. He positioned his carriers 325 miles northeast of the island, where he hoped they could ambush Yamamoto’s carriers.

The Battle

  • (1) At dawn on June 4, the main Japanese carrier group launched a strike force of 108 planes against Midway. Fighter planes from Midway intercepted it, and the outdated and outclassed American planes were shot down by the faster, more maneuverable, more heavily armed Japanese. Midway’s airfield was bombed.
  • (2) Meanwhile, both sides had been deploying reconnaissance aircraft to search for the other. Most of Nagumo’s reconnaissance planes were launched by catapults from his heavy cruisers. One, Number 4, was half an hour late taking off from the cruiser Tone because of problems with its catapult. As chance would have it, the sector of ocean that this plane had been assigned to search was the one containing the American carriers; thus, Number 4’s sighting of them was delayed a crucial half-hour.
  • (3) Meanwhile, Fletcher and Spruance had already received reports locating at least two Japanese aircraft carriers. Beginning early in the morning, the Hornet and the Enterprise launched 116 aircraft against these targets, including 67 dive bombers and 29 torpedo planes. Because the Americans were still using outdated coordination systems, rather than flying and attacking as one coherent group, the various squadrons became separated and spaced out at different intervals and altitudes.
  • (4) Even worse, some of the squadrons followed erroneous courses that would cause them to miss their targets altogether. In addition to these planes, a number of aircraft from Midway had been directed toward the Japanese carriers, including a unit of medium bombers operated by the army, a Marine squadron of dive bombers, and some torpedo bombers.
  • (5) When an aircraft carrier is defending itself against aerial attacks, the first and best line of defense is its own fighter planes. Ideally, these intercept the incoming bombers and shoot them down before they can get into range to release their weapons. In combat situations, it was standard procedure among both the Japanese and the Americans to maintain some fighters, known as the Combat Air Patrol (CAP), perpetually circling over their carriers. On the morning of June 4, the Japanese had a strong contingent of fighter planes flying CAP.
  • (6) The planes from Midway were the first to reach the Japanese carriers; the CAP shot down 18 of 37, with most of the rest being forced to release their weapons prematurely. Then, a group of 14 B-17s made a high-altitude run, dropping their bombs from where enemy fighters could not reach them. Not a single hit was scored on any Japanese ship.
  • (7) Yamamoto had ordered Nagumo to keep half his planes in reserve, loaded with anti-ship weapons, in case the U.S. carriers appeared. Now, Nagumo disobeyed this command and ordered these planes rearmed with bombs to launch a second strike on Midway. Just at this moment, the delayed Number 4 radioed in that it had sighted the American ships.
  • (8) Meanwhile, Fletcher had decided to follow the planes that were already in flight from the Hornet and the Enterprise with those from Yorktown; thus, the final American carrier committed its planes to the battle.
  • (9) The first groups of planes from the Hornet and Enterprise arrived over Nagumo’s ships and launched their attacks against the three carriers they could see. Arriving in uncoordinated bunches, the dive bombers and torpedo planes made brave attacks but fell in great numbers to the antiaircraft guns and fighters of Nagumo’s fleet. Nearly 100 American bombers assaulted Nagumo’s ships, and still not one hit had been scored.
  • (10) But all of these torpedo plane attacks had pulled the protective Japanese CAP fighters down to sea level and scattered them. When several more squadrons of planes from the Yorktown and Enterprise arrived, the dive bombers were able to attack without interference. In four minutes, three of Japan’s front-line carriers had been mortally wounded.
  • (11) The final Japanese carrier, Hiryu, now launched its planes. Although only a relatively small force, the veteran pilots pressed their attack against Yorktown with determination. Of seven dive bombers, three scored direct hits, and two others dropped their bombs close enough to cause damage. The last act of the battle came in the late afternoon, when the Americans sent their remaining planes against the Hiryu and set it afire with four bomb hits.

Outcomes

  • (1) At the Battle of Midway, the action of just four minutes permanently shifted the balance of power in the Pacific. Before Midway, Japan had a solid edge in numbers of carriers; after Midway, the United States enjoyed a numerical advantage that rapidly and irrevocably increased as the country’s industrial capacity came on line.
  • (2) Before Midway, the Japanese were always victorious and always on the offensive. After Midway, the roles reversed, and it was the United States that would consistently be on the offensive for the rest of the war and the Japanese who were forced to defend an ever-shrinking empire.

Conclusion

The Battle of Midway stands as one of the most pivotal moments in World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. It marked a decisive turning point in the conflict, halting Japanese expansion and shifting the strategic initiative to the United States and its allies. The U.S. Navy’s victory was not only due to effective intelligence gathering and tactical skill, but also to the bravery of its pilots and sailors. Japan’s loss of four aircraft carriers and many of its best pilots crippled its naval capabilities, from which it never fully recovered. In the broader context of the war, Midway altered the balance of power, enabling the Allies to go on the offensive and begin a campaign of island-hopping that would eventually lead to Japan’s defeat. It demonstrated the growing importance of aircraft carriers and air power in modern naval warfare, signaling the end of battles dominated by battleships. Ultimately, the Battle of Midway secured the U.S. position in the Pacific and set the stage for the eventual Allied victory over Japan.

(FAQ) about the Battle of Midway?

1. What was the significance of the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway was a decisive naval battle in World War II, marking a turning point in the Pacific theater. It shifted the balance of power in the Pacific in favor of the Allies and significantly weakened the Japanese Imperial Navy by sinking four of its aircraft carriers.

2. How did the U.S. manage to win the Battle of Midway?

The U.S. victory at Midway was due to superior intelligence, which allowed them to anticipate and prepare for the Japanese attack. American codebreakers deciphered Japanese plans, and the U.S. Navy set up an ambush, giving them a crucial advantage.

3. What were the key losses for Japan in the battle?

Japan lost four aircraft carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu, along with hundreds of planes and experienced pilots. These losses dealt a severe blow to Japan’s ability to wage further offensive operations in the Pacific.

4. How many American ships were lost during the Battle of Midway?

The U.S. lost one aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, and one destroyer, the USS Hammann.

5. Why is the Battle of Midway often called the “turning point” of World War II in the Pacific?

The battle halted Japanese expansion in the Pacific, weakened Japan’s naval capabilities, and gave the U.S. and its allies the momentum to go on the offensive, eventually leading to Japan’s defeat.

6. Who were the key American commanders during the Battle of Midway?

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who commanded the Pacific Fleet, and Admirals Raymond A. Spruance and Frank Jack Fletcher, who led the carrier forces, were the key American commanders.

7. How did the Japanese miscalculate at Midway?

The Japanese underestimated the strength and readiness of the U.S. forces, partly because they believed they had crippled the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor. Additionally, Japan failed to discover that U.S. codebreakers had deciphered their plans.

8. What role did aircraft play in the Battle of Midway?

Aircraft, particularly those from aircraft carriers, played a crucial role in the battle. U.S. dive bombers were responsible for sinking the Japanese carriers, while the battle marked the growing dominance of air power over traditional naval power.

9. How long did the Battle of Midway last?

The battle lasted for four days, from June 4 to June 7, 1942.

10. What was the long-term impact of the Battle of Midway?

The battle significantly reduced Japan’s ability to conduct large-scale naval operations and shifted the balance of naval power in the Pacific to the U.S. It also boosted American morale and paved the way for future Allied victories in the Pacific War.

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