Surviving Hitler
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The Battle of Midway took place six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and one month after the Battle of Coral Sea, it started June 4th 1942 and lasted four days till June 7th. Japan had the upper hand, they had 4 carriers which are giant ships carrying very effective guns and cannons. They also had 248 aircrafts and 15 support ships, in other words they had the United States fleet in their hands. Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese fleet planned on attacking Midway Atoll in hopes of taking over the small island and add to their defenses.
As Japan was planning their attack, America was busy decrypting Japanese transmissions. Over and over the U.S. Navys combat intelligence officers tried to decipher codes that seemed almost impossible. Once America heard of Japans plan of attacking Midway, Commanders and leaders Chester W. Nimitz, Frank J. Fletcher, and Raymond A. Spruance now knew that they needed to think of a plan that would counter Japans and allow them to take over Midway.
The Battle of Midway also known as one of the main naval battles in World War II. The Battle of Midway was part of the Central Pacific Campaign, the Central Pacific Campaign was one of the longest and most violent conflict that lasted from 1941 to 1943. Both America and Japan wanted to advance their fleets. Midway Atoll is located near the center of the pacific and both countries saw it as a perfect way for their fleets defense and offense to become stronger.
The first days of Midway were the most brutal, the first air strike took off at 12:30 the morning of June 3rd. The attack consists of nine B-17s which are Heavy and strategic bombers, strategic meaning they were used to drop bombs on certain targets. After three hours of flying they finally saw the Japanese fleet, under strong anti-aircraft fire they were able to drop bombs on their targets but unable to make any significant damage.
After a strong fought battle from both countries the U.S. came up on top, Japan might have had more to their fleet but America had more to their plan. In the end Japan lost 4 carriers, all 248 aircraft fighters, one cruiser, and 3,057 soldiers killed in total. These numbers were way more than then Americas numbers. The U.S. lost 1 carrier, 1 destroyer, only 150 aircraft fighters, and only 307 soldiers. How do you think America did it? It took bravery and great planning, and a good plan B.
The initial impact of this battle wasnt just casualties, there was much more too it. The Battle of Midway was the turning point of the pacific, Americas Naval power increased significantly when they realized that Japans Naval power decreased to almost nothing. Yamamotos plan insisted of all major ships, cruises and destroyers he also used all of his veteran soldiers in the battle of Midway. Since almost all of Japans fleet perished Yamamoto lost everything.
The battle of Midway