37 Battle Of Midway Interesting Facts That You May Not Know

The Battle of Midway was a naval battle in World War II that was almost entirely fought using aircraft from June 4-7, 1942.

There is not much importance given to the Pacific Theater of World War II, but this war was a significant part of the conflict. The Pacific War was fought between the allied forces and the Empire of Japan, and this war lasted from December 7, 1941 until September 2, 1945.

One of the main conflicts of the Pacific War started on June 4, 1942 when aircraft from four aircraft carriers of Japan launched bombing raids on Midway. The Midway islands were under the control of the United States, and these bombings started the Battle of Midway.

In this battle, the United States destroyed the first-line carrier force of Japan along with the best naval pilots of the country. Along with the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Midway stopped the threat of Japan from invading the Pacific.

Japanese naval forces led by Yamamoto Isoroku wanted to take Midway Island by battling with the smaller U.S. Pacific Fleet. However, U.S. intelligence had already broken the Japanese naval code.

The U.S. planned ahead and prepared for the assault by the Japanese carriers by mobilizing three aircraft carriers and 115 land-based aircraft. The U.S. bombers began striking the carrier force of Japan on June 4. Japan could not match U.S. force and suffered heavy losses.

They eventually abandoned their plans to land on Midway Island. This battle was significant as it brought both the forces to the same line in the Pacific War and the Second World War.

Who won the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway proved to be a decisive victory for the United States. Some historians even say that the battle was the most stunning blow ever in naval warfare history. Here is a brief recollection of the events that happened in this battle.

Japan's main goal was to remove the United States as a pacific power during World War II. Their main intention was to occupy territories in the southwest Pacific islands and parts of East Asia.

Japan wanted to defeat the U.S. Pacific Fleet and use the islands of Midway as a base to get into a perfect attack position for Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces wanted to be dominant in the region and later use it as leverage to strike a negotiation.

The name 'Midway' was given to the island as it was located halfway between Asia and North America. American military installations were put on Midway Atoll on Eastern Island and Sand Island.

The United States was aware that the Japanese were planning an attack in the Pacific. Cryptanalysts from the United States Navy began cracking Japanese communication codes in early 1942.

The attack location and time were confirmed when the Americans at the Midway base sent out a deceptive message claiming that there was no fresh water.

Japan then responded, stating that 'AF' was running low on freshwater. It confirmed to the Americans that the attack would take place at the Midway base.

The cryptanalysts were even able to give the date of the attack and the battle order of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

It was early in the morning of June 4 when aircraft from four Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the U.S. base on Midway. The four Japanese aircraft carriers were able to severely damage the U.S. base.

The Japanese fleet did not know that the American fleet was waiting in the east of the island and was ready to attack.

After the first Japanese attack on the U.S. base, the Japanese planes returned to their aircraft carriers to rearm and refuel.

When the Japanese fleet of aircraft was returning from the aircraft carriers, they came to learn of the presence of the American carriers near the island.

SBD Dauntless dive-bombers and TBD Devastator torpedo-bombers from the USS Enterprise, USS Yorktown, and USS Hornet attacked the Japanese fleet. It was the turning point in the Battle of Midway.

Akagi, Soryu, and Kaga (Japanese ships) were hit and later abandoned.

Hiryu was the only Japanese aircraft carrier left of all the Japanese aircraft carriers, and it responded with two more attacks.

Both times, the aircraft carrier from the Japanese navy attacked USS Yorktown. USS Yorktown was severely damaged, but still afloat.

A USS Yorktown scout plane, on the afternoon of June 4, was able to locate the Hiryu. USS Enterprise sent dive bombers to attack Hiryu, which was damaged and later sank.

Over the next two days, the U.S. fleet attacked the Japanese Navy and was able to push them away.

This victory in the Battle of Midway for the Americans gave them a level field to stop Japanese expansion in the Pacific and led to many epic naval battles in the future.

Battle Of Midway Casualties

The Battle of Midway was one of the most important victories for the Americans against the Japanese in the Pacific War.

The total casualties in the battle were more than 3,300.

The United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy fought each other in this battle. Isoroku Yamamoto was the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet of the Japanese side, and he was the orchestrator of the battle.

Task Force 16, Task Force 17, the United States Army Airforce, the Midway Garrison, and the United States Marine Corps were among the American forces involved in the conflict. Admirals Frank Jack Fletcher, Chester Nimitz, and Raymond A. Spruance were in command of the Americans.

The Japanese forces engaged in the conflict were the First Fleet, Second Fleet, Fifth Fleet, and 11th Air Fleet.

On the United States side, one aircraft carrier was lost, one destroyer was lost, 150 aircraft were lost, and 307 military personnel died. USS Yorktown was sunk by the Japanese using a Japanese torpedo from a submarine.

The Japanese Navy lost more than 3,000 military personnel, one heavy cruiser, four aircraft carriers, and around 248 aircraft. Kaga, Akagi, Sōryū, and the Hiryū were lost. These four aircraft carriers that were sunk were also a part of the attack of the Japanese unit at Pearl Harbor just six months before.

Two Japanese prisoners were taken alive in the battle. These prisoners were sent to the Hawaiian islands for the remainder of the war.

How long did the Battle of Midway last?

The Battle of Midway was fought during World War II in the Pacific Theater. It was an important naval battle and was a turning point for the Allies.

The Battle of Midway was fought between June 4-7 of 1942. It was fought near the Midway islands located in the central Pacific.

Midway was actually the second most important base for the Americans after Pearl Harbor.

Battle of Midway Timeline

The Battle of Midway on the Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean is considered one of the most crucial periods in naval history.

The U.S. was able to decode the encrypted notifications from the Imperial Japanese Navy. They came to know about the date and location of the attack, and this was a huge advantage for the Americans in the Battle of Midway.

On June 4, 1942, at 6:30 a.m., Japanese planes attacked Midway with Japanese bombs and a plan to take the island to make it a base to further their plans to conquer Pearl Harbor.

Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, and Soryu launched along with many other ships at 7 a.m.

Three American carriers were waiting for them. At 7:15 a.m. on June 4, Japanese planes came back to the aircraft carriers to change their weapons.

From 9:10 a.m. to 10 a.m., American torpedo bombers attacked each Japanese aircraft carrier.

From 10:22 a.m. to 10:25 a.m., U.S. dive bombers struck and disabled Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu. Hiryu managed to escape.

At 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., dive bombers from Hiryu attack USS Yorktown in two attacks and commissioned it out of service.

At 5 p.m., U.S. bombers from USS Enterprise, the American carrier, attacked and sank Hiryu. It burst in flames.

Over the next two days, the U.S. troops at sea and on Midway continued their attacks, which forced the Japanese to abandon the Battle of Midway and retreat.

The code-breaking coup was key for the Americans in this battle. The Japanese thought they could take Midway due to the small fleet size of the Americans. Their plans to take Midway as a base were foiled at this moment.