Battle of Midway by Bethan

When

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:15:45 UTC

At 10:26am on the 4th of June 1942 on Midway Island in the Pacific 37 Douglas Dauntless bombers commenced a dive attack on two Japanese Aircraft carriers.

Connection to Pearl Harbour

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:18:06 UTC

After Pearl Harbours success in December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy's six large aircraft carriers occupied the Pacific sinking British War Ships amongst the Indian Ocean.

Connection to America

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:19:46 UTC

May 1942 at the Battle of the Coral Sea, was were the Japanese became halted causing an inconclusive battle with American carriers.

Battles Beginning (Midway)

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:21:19 UTC

Due to the events (Connection to Pearl Harbour and Connection to America) by this stage, the war was exhausted and they desperately needed a refit.

Who was Involved

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:23:06 UTC

Yamamoto: The Japanese Marshal Admiral. He wanted to destroy the American carrier fleet. Planned to confuse the enemy with a diversionary attack on the Alaskan coast drawing the Americans north, providing his main attack on Midway Island.

USS Nimitz: A super carrier of the US Navy, and lead ships of it's class.

Nagumo: A Japanese Admiral in the Inperial Japanese Navy during WWII.

Japanese Tactics

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:26:35 UTC

Yamamoto divided his force int three main groups. One, 4 big carriers. Two, the battle fleet. Three, the invasion force. These three groups were too far apart resulting in no mutual support. Their sole tactic was to ambush the enemy.

Yamamoto's tactics was relying on a submarine- launched air reconnaissance to locate the American carriers at Pearl Harbour as well as a submarine ambush to sink them during the attacks.

This tactic failed as the submarine reconnaissance was smashed by an American Warship and the submarine ambush arrived too late.

When the Japanese fleet became widely scattered, Yamamoto was forced to respond to his tactics through radio. This left the Americans able to recover roughly 90% of the plan. With this information they were able to confirm that the target was Midway.

American Tactics

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:36:18 UTC

The American tactics relied on unusual characteristics of carrier warfare. They knew that the first attack would be firm for both sides due to them being full of fuel and weapons.

The American tactical commanders knew they were playing for very high stakes. This allowed them to keep the two task forces seperate.

Phases of the Battle

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:40:06 UTC

Phase 1. On June 3, 1942, Japanese began with air attacks on American bases in the Aleutians. Their forces landed on the Aleutian Islands of Kiska on June 6. The next day they began raids throughout the islands.

Nimitz dispatched a naval force to deal with the invasion, which kept the Japanese fleet at bay. Yamamoto thought that his Aleutian diversion had worked, but didn’t realize that the American carrier fleet was already heading for Midway.

Phase 2. Yamamoto began the attack on Midway on June 4. He sent half of his carrier aircraft to Midway, whilst the other halfback in case the American fleet emerged.

Once the Japanese armed the planes for another attack, they received news that their spotter planes had a sighting of an enemy ship. By this time they became aware of the American ships, and were already on their way to attack the Japanese carriers.

American torpedo planes began their attack. The U.S. pilots of the torpedo planes kept on course and were rapidly shot down by the Japanese fighters who protected the carriers. Those few that were able to launch torpedoes missed their target. The annihilation of the American torpedo planes meant that American carriers were in range of Nagumo's torpedo planes.

Aftermath

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:46:38 UTC

The battle of Midway was the first forceful victory for the Americans. As a result of the battle, the Pacific theater was never the same. Furthermore, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers. They were no longer able to attack what they wanted, when they wanted. All the personnel on the carriers died. Over 25,000 men Japanese men died, compared to Americas 307. The Emperor of Japan couldn't regain the level of training prior to war. The Japanese were completely on the defensive after their failed attempt toe capture Midway, leaving further Japanese soldiers inexperienced and incapable of being ready for another war.

Significance

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 01:55:44 UTC

The Battle of Midway didn't win the Pacific war, but was a turning point in it. It was the beginning of a war of attrition, which the USA would eventually win.

It changed the balance for the pacific allowing the United States to maintain Europe for strategy.

Ending

donaldsonb — 2014-03-25 11:10:42 UTC

The loss of four carriers as well as U.S. building more carriers than the Japanese ended their hold on the Pacific.

Basic Information

donaldsonb — 2014-03-26 06:12:31 UTC

A battle fought between the Imperial Japanese Navy and The United States Navy on June 4th, 1942 until June 7, 1942.

Interesting Information

donaldsonb — 2014-03-26 06:15:26 UTC

1. The Battle of Midway was given it's name because it occurred near the US Base at the Midway Island.

2. One of the first attacks of the battle was not made by Japan, but by American B-17 Bombers.

3. The battle only lasted four days.

4. Prior to the battle, one part of the Japanese plan failed to be executed properly. This was the submarine shield being deployed too late.