Battle at Midway

                  The next big event to follow the attack at Pearl Harbor would be the Battle of Midway. This was to happen about six months after this traumatizing experience in Hawaii that led the Americans to war. It was all engaged because of the Japanese’s desire to sink the American aircraft carriers that were not destroyed along with all the others during the destruction at Pearl Harbor. Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Japanese fleet commander at the time chose this target (close to Pearl Harbor) in hopes to draw out American fleet. This way, once the United States decided to attack them they would be fully prepared. However, through an American intelligence- breakthrough they were able to crack the Japanese code. This enabled Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to understand, and fully comprehend exactly what the Japanese plans were. This was a huge advantage for the Americans. In result to this breakthrough, Nimitz was able to place U.S. carriers in position to surprise attack the Japanese that were moving towards their positions to attack on Midway.

                  The messages that the Americans picked up on were on May 2, and they were able to realize that the Japanese were going to attack, what day and around what time. However, by the time the actual attack came, the Japanese had completely reconstructed their plan. The Americans took off where “intelligence efforts left off.” Scouts found the Japanese early in the morning on June 4, and while their initial airstrikes were unsuccessful American carrier-based planes took control and “turned the tide” as they would say. Torpedo bombers were separated from the dive bombers, and left 36 of the 42 shot down, but distracted the Japanese and gave the dive bombers enough time to arrive and attack. Japanese carriers were also caught while re-fueling and prepping their air carriers, making them exceptionally vulnerable to the attack. Americans sunk four fleet carriers under the name of- Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu, shot down 322 aircraft, and over 5,000 sailors. With the Americans advancing into the offense side of things, their losses only included 147 aircraft and more than about 300 seamen.

                  This was a very successful defeat for the Americans against the Japanese at the Battle of Midway. A huge part of this was thanks to the advance in code breaking, which made it so the Americans could counter Japan’s planned ambush of the few remaining aircraft carriers from the recent Pearl Harbor attack. This battle made permanent damage on the Japanese Navy, and was a very important turning point for the Pacific campaign and led the United States and its allies to move into the most desirous position while engaged in war- the offense.