Battle of MidwayJune 4-7, 1942

Strategies (Japan)

Admiral Yamamoto believed the Americans only had 2 carriers battle ready (USS Enterprise and USS Hornet)

To prevent US from discovering their plan, Yamamoto dispersed ships.

Strategies (USA)

Americans owe advantage to American code breakers which broke the code the Japanese used and found out about the invasion before the Japanese attacked.

Allowed them to know the when and where the Japanese would attack and how many ships

Created ambush and repaired USS Yorktown fast enough to catch Japanese unaware

How it started

After loss at Battle of the Coral Sea and the Doolittle Raids so Japanese wanted major revenge against USA

US bombers on the island ambushed the Japanese carriers on July 3rd, 1942

What happened

The following morning, June 4th, the battle officially began when Japanese bombers attacked Midway

Japanese were quickly overwhelmed by simultaneously attacking and defending

What happened cont.

US uses torpedo bombers and dive bombers to attack.

They were separated and torpedo bombers were decimated.

Fortunately, this provided a distraction and US was able to take out 3 of 4 Japanese carriers, the 4th being damaged.

What happened cont.

June 5th, 1942, Japanese began retreat Retreat caused Rear Admiral Spruance to

decide whether to chase the retreating Japanese› If they defeated them, possibly end war there› If Americans were defeated, loss of Pacific War

Spruance decided not to risk it› Now highly debated subject whether it was an

enormous mistake or wise decision

Personal Stories The Story of Jim Muri – June 4th, 1942

Results

US victory! Irreparable damage against Imperial

Japanese Navy (IJN) Before battle, the Japanese had

superior naval techniques and supplies such as weapons but now the two armies were pretty much equal

The Americans then went on the offensive in the Pacific War

Statistics (Before) Allied USA:

3 carriers 25 support ships 233 carrier aircraft 127 land-based

aircraft

Japan: 4 carriers 2 battleships 15 support ships

(heavy and light cruisers, destroyers)

248 carrier aircraft

16 floatplanes

Unused: 2 light carriers, 5 battleships, 41 support ships

Statistics (Losses) Allied USA losses:

Yorktown and Hammann sunk

150 planes lost/damaged beyond repair

Casualties: 92 officers, 215 men- total 307

Japanese Losses: 4 carriers sunk: Akagi,

Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu All planes lost and most

personnel: estimated at 275 planes, 2400 men

2-3 battleships damaged, one severely

2 heavy cruisers sunk (Mogami class), 3+ heavy cruisers damaged, some severely

Statistics (Losses cont.) Japanese losses (cont.)

1 light cruiser damaged 3 destroyers sunk,

possibly a 4th 4 transport and cargo

ships hit, 1+ sunk Estimated casualties:

4800

Impact on the War

Battle has often been called “The turning point of the Pacific”

Allowed Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Philippine Sea, and Solomon Islands campaign to occur› Allies take strategic initiative and go to

offense for rest of Pacific War Took out majority of experienced pilots

so wasn’t as potent a striking force before Midway

Recap The Battle of Midway Island was considered

the turning point in the wars between the Japanese and Americans on the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese did continue to advance on the Pacific Ocean, but the Midway Island victory was considered one of the greatest battles of the Pacific.

The Japanese army took a major beating and lost a lot of their carriers and other ships and aircraft carriers that are essential to war. 

This was the beginning of the turn for Americans but it showed that they could outsmart the enemy and prove supremacy. 

The End