battle20of midway (1)
TRANSCRIPT
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