Japanese Admiral Yamamoto believed that another critical offensive blow to the American Naval Forces in the Pacific would be necessary in order to win a quick war against the Americans backed by a superior military-industrial complex. The lasted from June 4-7 of 1942 just about a half a year after Pearl Harbor. The Japanese plan of attack was to create a diversion in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska by sending a small invasion force. This way the American Navy would sail up north to try and meet an enemy that wasn't really there. Then the Japanese would attack Midway itself in three phases. Phase one would be lead by the First Carrier Striking Force under Vice Admiral Nagumo, his four carriers: the Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu. Nagumo would lead an aerial assault on the American defenses on Midway in order to destroy them. In the Second Phase, another vice-admiral, Kondo, would invade midway with an Invasion force of 5000 to crush any American Garrison on the island. The third and final phase would rely on Yamamoto's own fleet as well as Nagumo's and Kondo's Carrier forces in order to attack a weakened American fleet already distracted and weakened by the Japanese diversion force in the Aleutian Islands. However, the Japanese didn't count on the American's breaking their military code.
The American's having deciphered the Japanese code laid their own trap in order to surprise the Japanese and inflict serious damage on their fleet. The American's wanted to keep their carriers out of striking distance of Japanese bombers and wanted to fight the battle in the air northeast of Midway itself. The American fleet is split into two forces Task Force 17 under Admiral Fletcher with the USS Yorktown Carrier and Task Force 16 under Admiral Spruance with the USS Enterprise and USS Hornet Carriers. The whole fleet is under Admiral Nimitz's command and although the Japanese think that they are going to be the ones surprising the American's it is quite the other way around.
The Battle Begins on June 4 when the US launches 15 B-17 bomber's to search for and strike any anticipated Japanese forces meanwhile Nagumo launches his own strike force directed at the Island itself still unaware of the American forces. The US counter's this aerial strike by launching its own fighters and using aerial defenses positioned on Midway. The base takes heavy hits and the Japanse are able to bomb the bases hangars, hospital and power generators. However, the Japanse Aerial force takes heavy damages. But the Japanese so far still have the upper hand in the battle. Soon after Nagumo entering into Phase two and Nagumo realizes the potential American Fleet but refuses to radio Yamamoto out of fear that the Americans will intercept this message. Nagumo now has a dilemma does he attack the American forces or finish the American Defenses at midway stuck in this dilemma the American forces take action. The American B-17s launched earlier reach the Japanese as well as an American Submarine that surfaces behind the fleet stunning Nagumo who now realizes that the Americans know of their battle plans. He decides to rearm his planes with Bombs in order to attack midway once again however the US forces strike again. Landing Several hits on the Japanese Carrier groups eventually sinking the Kaga. While the Bombers are armed with bombs instead of torpedos Nagomo cannot act to bomb the now known American fleet and his own fleet sustains heavy damages. The Americans now trade blows with the tactically delayed Japanese in the Air as dictated by the US strategy. The US sinks all four Japanese Carriers and the US only lost the USS Yorktown. This battle signified the End of the Japanese offensive in the Pacific and gave a massive morale boost to Americans after pearl harbor.
Midway Atoll
US bombing force over Japanese ships
Location of midway
Destroyed Japanese Cruiser
USS Yorktown Minutes before Capzizinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipF5zoCGAk
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/jun4/battle-midway-begins/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway
The extensive breakdown of the events of this battle were pretty interesting to read. However, what surprised me most is how you mentioned that the plan of the Japanese was to distract the naval fleet by creating a diversion in the Aleutian Islands, which are over a thousand miles north from Midway in Alaska. Alaska itself only became a state in 1959. Upon researching, I found that some of the Aleutian islands were the only U.S soil that the Japanese had conquered during WW2, which greatly shocked them. The islands were key to both countries; America was worried the Japanese would launch attacks through Alaska, and Japan was worried America could launch attacks through the Aleutians.
ReplyDeleteSource:
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-aleutian-islands
I liked that you had a detailed remarks of the battle and how both sides tried to outwit each other. I also found it interesting that Japan and America both wanted to hold down the islands in order to keep control of the Pacific.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this post was very well written. I liked how it was broken down into the events so that the reader could better understand the battle. I also found it interesting that both sides thought they could and tried to out smart and trick the other side.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see the time tiable broken down. I really like how you able to go more in depth in the battle the broke the back of the Japanese in the Pacific. This allowed for the Us to push into the Japanese sphere of control and set Japan on the backfoot, as they now have to defend many small island.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/battle-midway