Battle of Midway Atoll map. Naval Battle of Midway (1942)

NAVAL BATTLE OF MIDWAY ATOLL 1942

Midway Atoll occupies a favorable strategic position in the North Pacific Ocean at the intersection of sea and air communications between the United States and Asian countries. On June 4-6, 1942, near Midway Atoll, a major naval battle took place between the Japanese (commander Admiral I. Yamamoto) and American (commander Admiral Charles Nimitz) fleets as part of the Midway - Aleutian operation of the Japanese fleet (June 3-6, 1942). The goal of the operation was to capture Midway Atoll and the islands of Kiska and Attu (Aleutian Islands), defeat the US Pacific Fleet and ensure the dominance of the Japanese fleet in the central and northern parts of the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese High Command had been preparing for the capture of Midway for a long time. By the end of April 1942, the plan of operation entrusted to the headquarters of the Combined Fleet for development was drawn up and approved by Admiral Yamamoto. On May 5, the Japanese Imperial Headquarters issued a directive in which the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet was ordered to “in cooperation with ground forces, carry out the occupation of Midway Island and key points in the western part of the Aleutian Islands.” (Futida M., Okumiya M. The Battle of Midway Atoll. M., 1958. P. 100.) The landing was scheduled for June 4. The capture of the Aleutian Islands was supposed to begin a day earlier in order to divert large forces of the American fleet to the north.

To carry out this large-scale offensive on two directions, the headquarters of the United Fleet planned to attract the maximum number of forces. In total, including transport and auxiliary forces, over 200 ships and vessels were allocated for the operation, including at least 11 battleships, 8 aircraft carriers, 22 cruisers, 65 destroyers and 21 submarines, as well as approximately 700 aircraft. (Futida M., Okumiya M. Op. op. p. 107.) This was the largest concentration of naval forces in history. Pacific region. These forces were consolidated into six formations: four main formations, a forward submarine formation, and a base air force under the overall command of Admiral Yamamoto.

In the central direction, an aircraft carrier strike force was created under the command of Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, consisting of 4 heavy aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 12 destroyers and a Midway invasion force under the command of Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo, which included 15 transports (5 thousand landing troops), a light aircraft carrier, 2 air transports, 2 battleships, 10 cruisers, 21 destroyers.

"To capture the Aleutian Islands - Attu and Kiska - the northern formation of Vice Admiral Moshiro Hosogaya was allocated, which included 2 light aircraft carriers, 6 cruisers, 12 destroyers, 6 submarines, 4 transports (2,450 landing troops) and a number of other warships and vessels .

The main forces of the Japanese Combined Fleet under the command of Admiral Yamamoto were supposed to act in such a way as to simultaneously provide support for forces in the central and northern directions. They included 7 battleships, a light aircraft carrier, 3 cruisers, 21 destroyers, 2 air transports (they carried dwarf submarines). During the operation, a cover formation (Aleutian region), which included 4 battleships, 2 cruisers, and 12 destroyers, was allocated from these forces to cover the landing on the Aleutian Islands. (History of the Second World War, 1939 - 1945. T.5. M., 1975. P. 392.)

The Japanese fleet left its bases on May 27, the day of the anniversary of the creation of the fleet, and headed for Midway. The Japanese command paid great attention to operational camouflage in order to achieve surprise in the attack. However, the American command managed to decipher the code used by the Japanese and learn in advance about the plans of the Joint Squadron. Three months before the start of the operation, the American army began to vigorously prepare for battle. Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet Nimitz visited Midway in early May and took measures to strengthen its garrison and build new defensive structures.

By early June, aviation at Midway was reinforced by 16 Marine Corps dive bombers, 7 fighters, 30 naval flying boats, as well as 18 B-17s and 4 B-26s from the Army Air Corps. There were a total of 120 aircraft at Midway. A large number of anti-aircraft batteries were installed. Several torpedo boats arrived at Midway to patrol the coast. Submarine forces formed three patrol lines in the form of arcs at a distance of 100, 150 and 200 miles from the atoll. All 20 boats took up their assigned positions by June 4.

Against the Japanese squadron, Admiral Nimitz deployed in advance two operational formations consisting of 3 heavy aircraft carriers (233 aircraft), 8 heavy cruisers and 14 destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral F. Fletcher. (Soviet Military Encyclopedia. T.5. M., 1978. P. 277.) Thus, the Americans were inferior to the enemy mainly in large artillery ships (battleships and cruisers). The Japanese superiority in aircraft was offset by American shore-based aviation.

The operation began on June 3 with a Japanese air strike on the Dutch Harbor naval base (Unalaske Island from the Aleutian islands group). In the area of the Midway Atoll, events unfolded as follows. On July 3, 600 miles from the atoll, an American plane discovered a Japanese landing force. The first American air strikes on the enemy were unsuccessful.

On June 4, 108 Japanese aircraft lifted from aircraft carriers attacked the atoll, but did not solve the main problem - they did not destroy American aircraft, since the American aircraft were scrambled into the air and followed to attack the Japanese ships. But their attack did not cause them serious damage.

At this time, 126 bombers and torpedo bombers and 26 fighters took off from three American aircraft carriers to attack Japanese ships. Only three groups of torpedo bombers managed to attack Japanese aircraft carriers. The ships were not damaged. 37 American planes were shot down.

After the return of the first strike aircraft, the Japanese command decided to carry out another attack. But when the torpedoes intended to attack American ships - these torpedoes were armed with torpedo bombers - began to be adapted for bombing ground targets, the message arrived: “Enemy squadron detected.” They again began to hastily equip aircraft for bombing ships. And at that moment, when the planes, loaded with bombs, torpedoes and fuel, were preparing to take off from the take-off platforms, 30 American dive bombers fell on them. (History of the War in the Pacific Ocean. T.Z. M„ 1958. P. 276.) The bombers took off from the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Yorktown. In less than five minutes, they destroyed the flower of the Japanese fleet - the heavy aircraft carriers Kara, Akachi and Soryu. In the entire history of warfare there has never been a faster or more dramatic change in the balance of power.

On the same day, American planes caused heavy damage to the aircraft carrier Hiryu. On June 5, she was sunk by her destroyer.

Japanese bombers heavily damaged the American aircraft carrier Yorktown, which was attacked by a Japanese submarine on June 6 and sank the next morning.

As a result of the Battle of Midway, the Japanese lost 4 heavy aircraft carriers, a heavy cruiser, 332 aircraft (including 280 from sunken aircraft carriers); a battleship, a heavy cruiser, 3 destroyers and 1 transport were damaged. On June 5, Yamamoto canceled the landing on Midway, recalled the northern formations from the Aleutian Islands and began the withdrawal of all fleet forces to their bases.

The Americans lost: a heavy aircraft carrier, a destroyer and 150 aircraft, including 30 based at Midway. The naval battle that took place changed the balance of forces in the Pacific Ocean in favor of the US fleet: the Japanese were left with 1 heavy and 4 light aircraft carriers versus 3 heavy ones for the Americans. (Soviet Military Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. P. 277.) In addition, the Japanese could not catch up with the Americans in their construction. In Japan, six aircraft carriers were built or repaired, and in the United States, at least 13 conventional and 15 escort aircraft carriers were laid down. (Fulaer J. Second World War 1939-1945. Strategic and tactical review. M., 1956. P. 203.)

After these events, it became impossible for the Japanese to carry out active offensive operations. With naval support, American forces launched a counteroffensive in the Pacific theater.

Materials used from the book: “One Hundred Great Battles”, M. “Veche”, 2002

Literature:

1. History of the War in the Pacific Ocean: In the 5th volume / General. ed. U. Seijiro. - T.4. - M., 1958.

2. History of the Second World War. 1939-1945: In the 12th volume / Ed. count A.A. Grechko (editor-in-chief) M., 1975. - T.5. - pp. 391-396.

3. Campaigns of the War in the Pacific. Materials on the study of strategic bombing by United States aircraft. -M., 1956.

4. Nimitz Ch., Potter E. War at sea. (1939-1945). - M., 1965.

5. Roskill S. Fleet and war. - T.2. - M., 1970.

6. Soviet military encyclopedia: In the 8th volume/Ch. ed. commission N.V. Ogarkov (prev.) and others - M., 1978. - T.5. - pp. 276-278.

7. Futida M., Okumiya M. Battle of Midway Atoll. - M., 1958.

8. Sherman F.S. American aircraft carriers in the Pacific War. -M., 1956.

What associations did the surname Yamamoto evoke for residents of our country in the post-war decades? Vague things popped up in my head: huge iron hulks of ships, the muzzles of guns that fired shells tens of kilometers away - at enemy ships. Although our country did not take part in those battles, people read in books that a major naval battle took place near Midway Atoll between the Japanese and American fleets. The commander of the Japanese fleet was Admiral I. Yamamoto. What feelings arise when a modern person reads the name Yohji Yamamoto on the packaging? Associations arise with something pleasant. Pleasant smell, pleasant meetings. Time changes associations. That is life.

The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the confrontation between the United States and Japan in the Pacific. The Japanese fleet, which had lost four heavy aircraft carriers, almost two and a half hundred aircraft and its best pilots, was now completely unable to operate effectively without coastal aviation cover.

Geographical data

Midway Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean, more than a thousand miles northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. The territory is administered by the United States but is not incorporated into any state or the District of Columbia. The atoll consists of three small islands with a total area of 6.23 km2, the area of the lagoon is 60 km2.

From 1941 to 1993 There was also a refueling point for intercontinental flights on the islands. Now the atoll has the status of a nature reserve, but one runway remains in working order, and a supply of jet fuel is also stored at Midway in case of emergency landing of aircraft.

The Midway island group is located halfway between Japan and California (in fact, it is thanks to this fact that the territory got its name). The atoll is of great strategic importance. It is located in the middle of a triangle formed by the American military bases of Pearl Harbor and Dutch Harbor, as well as the Japanese base at Wake. For Japan, the capture of the archipelago would open up the possibility of more successful planning and execution of military operations of the Imperial Navy.

Imperial Japanese plans

It is believed that Japan suggested the possibility of an attack on the island group back in February 1942, more than six months before the Battle of Midway Island (1942). Until mid-April, however, the details of the battle plan were not developed, and it itself was not approved as a whole. The bomber raid of American Lieutenant Colonel J. Doolittle on the capital of Japan, which took place on April 18, 1942, put an end to the controversy surrounding actions in the Pacific Ocean. The imperial headquarters no longer doubted that they should move as soon as possible.

There are several versions of why Japan decided to attack Midway. The Imperial Navy needed to finally neutralize the United States in the Pacific. To ensure the success of the operation, a diversionary attack was even launched on the Aleutian Islands. Occupying Midway Atoll itself was a secondary objective. The atoll would be useful for Japan to strengthen the “defensive perimeter” of its territories. It was planned to perform further in Fiji and Samoa, then (possibly) in Hawaii.

The Japanese did not carry out a second attack on Pearl Harbor. The command decided to attack the naval base near Midway Atoll. The bet was placed on the surprise and unpreparedness of the United States for defense, as was the case with the attack on Pearl Harbor almost a year earlier (December 7, 1941).

US information

The United States assumed in advance that the Japanese would attempt a naval battle in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Cryptographers in May 1942 managed to break the Japanese naval encryption and obtain valuable information that the target of the next attack would be a certain object in the Pacific Ocean. In Japanese negotiations it was designated by the code name AF.

The American command, however, could not clearly identify this same AF target. It was assumed that this could be Pearl Harbor or at Midway Atoll. The date also remained unknown. To test their assumptions, the Americans sent a message that there was not enough water at Midway. We managed to intercept the Japanese message “There are problems with the water supply at AF.”

Characteristics of opponents

Imperial Japan's forces were divided into two parts: a carrier strike group and an escorting battleship group. On the Japanese side, four aircraft carriers, a light cruiser, two heavy cruisers, two battleships, almost two and a half hundred aircraft and twelve destroyers came forward. Additionally, two more light aircraft carriers, five battleships, two light and four heavy cruisers, and more than thirty support ships were sent to Midway, but did not take part directly in the battle.

Admiral Charles Nimitz planned response actions based on information about the impending battle at Midway Atoll. The Enterprise, Yorktown, and Hornet were deployed to the northwest of Midway, fully prepared for battle. Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance led the force, with Hornet and Enterprise at its core, while Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher took command of Yorktown.

First clashes

On the morning of June 3, the pilot of an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered a group of Japanese fleet heading towards Midway. The Americans struck the first blow at the Battle of Midway Atoll. The course of the battle, therefore, was initially determined by US forces. True, the bomb dropped on Japanese ships did not reach its target.

By the early morning of June 4, the Japanese group reached Midway Atoll and struck it. The naval base suffered significant damage, but despite this, American fighters entered into a retaliatory battle.

The naval battle at Midway Atoll continued. Many American vehicles were shot down by the Japanese, but anti-aircraft artillery worked successfully. About a third of the Japanese bombers attacking the naval base were shot down. The Japanese lieutenant in charge of the attack reported to the imperial headquarters that the Americans had withdrawn the main forces before the Battle of Midway, and the ground defenses were not sufficiently suppressed, so another air strike was necessary.

After the first defeat of the American forces, the Japanese command was confident that luck was now on their side. Intelligence officers reported to the imperial headquarters that only one aircraft carrier had been discovered at the naval base (the rest were not within sight). But since there was a shortage of personnel, torpedoes and aerial bombs remained on deck, which they did not have time to hide in the cellars. This created the risk of a dangerous situation, because one aerial bomb that pierced the deck could cause the detonation of all ammunition.

Carrier Battle

The Americans calculated that enemy aircraft would return to the aircraft carriers by about nine o'clock in the morning. In order to attack the forces of the Imperial Navy when they received and refueled aircraft, an order was given for all American aircraft to take off in full combat readiness. However, having completed receiving several aircraft, he changed course. The American command miscalculated.

Despite the seemingly failure in the Battle of Midway (the date of the battle of aircraft carriers is June 4, 1942), the Americans launched more than six attacks, and by the evening two Japanese aircraft carriers had already sunk.

Nautilus attack

A few hours after the battle of the aircraft carriers at the Battle of Midway, the American submarine Nautilus fired several torpedoes at the Japanese forces. The submarine's report states that it attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu, but in fact the torpedoes hit the Kaga. At the same time, two torpedoes flew past, and one did not explode at all. True, Bill Brockman - captain of the third rank, commander of the Nautilus - was sure all his life that he sank the Soryu. This is how the Nautilus submarine entered American history.

Japanese retaliation

To retaliate in the Battle of Midway Atoll (1942), the Japanese managed to assemble eighteen bombers on the Hiryu. The Americans scrambled twelve aircraft to intercept. Five Japanese dive bombers were shot down, but seven scored three hits on the carrier. Only five dive bombers and one fighter returned.

The decision was immediately made to re-attack at the Battle of Midway. The Japanese scrambled several torpedo bombers and fighters. On the Yorktown they immediately learned about the impending attack. Only one group of Japanese aircraft in full force and three fighters from other groups emerged from the battle alive. Yorktown was seriously damaged and was towed to Pearl Harbor.

Attack of the last aircraft carrier

At the time of the attack on Yorktown, information arrived about the discovery of the last Japanese aircraft carrier. The Americans no longer had any torpedo bombers left, so it was decided to create a strike group of several dive bombers.

The air group was led by Lieutenant Earl Gallagher. The Japanese did not have time to react to the attack when the Americans dropped four bombs, causing explosions and numerous fires in the holds. Somewhat later, several more bombs were dropped on the fleet of imperialist Japan, but there were not a single hit.

The hopelessly damaged Hiryu was scuttled by the decision of Japanese Admiral Yamaguchi at dawn on June 5th. Aircraft from the Midway naval base continued to attack the Japanese, but they were unable to locate the main forces. Japan withdrew the fleet to the west; in addition, bad weather accompanied the Japanese - their ships were not visible to the Americans.

On June 6, US aircraft again attacked Japanese heavy cruisers. One cruiser was sunk, the second managed to reach the port with significant damage.

Results for the Japanese Navy

In the battle of Midway Atoll, more than two and a half thousand personnel were killed, more than two and a half hundred aircraft from aircraft carriers, four heavy aircraft carriers and a heavy cruiser were damaged. Among the dead were the best and most experienced Japanese pilots.

The commanders of several aircraft carriers refused to abandon the damaged ships and died along with them. The vice admiral in command of the strike group tried to commit suicide, but was saved.

US Pacific Fleet losses

The United States Pacific Fleet lost more than three hundred personnel and fifteen hundred aircraft in the Battle of Midway, a major naval battle. The aircraft carrier Yorktown and one destroyer also sank. The runway on the islands was severely damaged, a hangar and a fuel depot were destroyed.

Reasons for Japan's defeat

There are many reasons for the defeat of Japanese forces, but they are all interconnected. Firstly, the command set two goals that contradict each other, namely the capture of the island group and the destruction of the American fleet. These missions require the same air forces, but with different weapons.

Also, the Japanese did not have enough concentration of forces to carry out a successful attack. Some researchers and experts believe that Japan would have been better off saving its decisive striking force - aircraft carriers. The history of the battle at Midway Atoll was also affected by planning deficiencies. The plans were rigid and complex, losing any meaning if the enemy behaved non-standardly.

The Japanese planned their failure in advance themselves. The command of the strike group was placed at a disadvantage. The Americans did not make any really serious mistakes during the Battle of Midway. There were, of course, insufficient training of personnel, shortcomings in tactics, but still these were not deliberate errors, but a normal part of any conflict.

Strategic Implications

After defeat at the Battle of Midway, Imperial Japan was forced into a purely defensive position and lost all initiative. Irreversible changes have occurred in both the tactics and strategy of warfare at sea.

The Battle of the Aircraft Carriers, as part of the major naval battle of Midway, clearly showed that aircraft carriers were now taking over the dominant role in the Pacific Ocean.

Myths about the battle

There are several myths about the Battle of Midway. Here are some of them:

The Japanese faced fatal bad luck. In fact, they helped this “bad luck” themselves.
The headquarters did not transmit information to the command of the strike group in a timely manner, and one of the aircraft carriers was not at all equipped to receive In fact, there were no technical problems.
The Japanese lost their best pilots. Of course, there were losses, but they were still relatively small. There were personnel left in Japan to conduct other operations, but since the strategic initiative was lost, their knowledge and experience were no longer needed.

Memory

The commander of the Hiryu, who refused to leave the damaged aircraft carrier, was posthumously awarded the rank of vice admiral.

The United States, in memory of the victory, assigned the name "Midway" to several ships - transport aircraft carriers. Also called “Midway” is the entire series of aircraft carriers of the same type of the US Navy.

On June 4, 1942, a major naval battle of World War II took place in the Pacific. The decisive victory of the US Navy over the Japanese Combined Fleet marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific. The Japanese fleet, having lost 4 heavy aircraft carriers, 248 aircraft and the best pilots, forever lost the ability to operate effectively outside the cover zones of coastal aviation.

Midway Atoll occupies a favorable strategic position in the North Pacific Ocean at the intersection of sea and air communications between the United States and Asian countries. On June 4−6, 1942, near Midway Atoll, a major naval battle took place between the Japanese (commander Admiral I. Yamamoto) and American (commander Admiral Charles Nimitz) fleets as part of the Midway - Aleutian operation of the Japanese fleet (June 3−6, 1942). The goal of the operation was to capture Midway Atoll and the islands of Kiska and Attu (Aleutian Islands), defeat the US Pacific Fleet and ensure the dominance of the Japanese fleet in the central and northern parts of the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese High Command had been preparing for the capture of Midway for a long time. By the end of April 1942, the plan of operation entrusted to the headquarters of the Combined Fleet for development was drawn up and approved by Admiral Yamamoto. On May 5, the Japanese Imperial Headquarters issued a directive in which the Commander-in-Chief of the United Fleet was ordered “to carry out the occupation of Fr. in cooperation with ground forces.” Midway and Key Points in the Western Aleutian Islands." The landing was scheduled for June 4. The capture of the Aleutian Islands was supposed to begin a day earlier in order to divert large forces of the American fleet to the north.

To carry out this large-scale offensive on two directions, the headquarters of the United Fleet planned to attract the maximum number of forces. In total, including transport and auxiliary forces, over 200 ships and vessels were allocated for the operation, including at least 11 battleships, 8 aircraft carriers, 22 cruisers, 65 destroyers and 21 submarines, as well as approximately 700 aircraft. This was the largest concentration of naval forces in history. Pacific region. These forces were consolidated into six formations: four main formations, a forward submarine formation, and a base air force under the overall command of Admiral Yamamoto.

An aircraft carrier strike force was created in the central direction under the command of Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. consisting of 4 heavy aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 12 destroyers and the invasion force at Midway under the command of Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo, which included 15 transports (5 thousand landing troops), a light aircraft carrier, 2 air transports, 2 battleships , 10 cruisers, 21 destroyers.

To capture the Aleutian Islands - Attu and Kiska - the northern formation of Vice Admiral Moshiro Hosogaya was allocated, which included 2 light aircraft carriers, 6 cruisers, 12 destroyers, 6 submarines, 4 transports (2,450 landing troops) and a number of other warships and vessels.

Against the Japanese squadron, Admiral Nimitz deployed in advance two operational formations consisting of 3 heavy aircraft carriers (233 aircraft), 8 heavy cruisers and 14 destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral F. Fletcher. Thus, the Americans were inferior to the enemy mainly in large artillery ships (battleships and cruisers). The Japanese superiority in aircraft was offset by American shore-based aviation.

The operation began on June 3 with a Japanese air strike on the Dutch Harbor naval base. On July 3, 600 miles from the atoll, an American plane discovered a Japanese landing force. The first American air strikes on the enemy were unsuccessful.

On June 4, 108 Japanese planes scrambled from aircraft carriers attacked the atoll, but did not solve the main problem - they did not destroy American aircraft, since the American planes were scrambled into the air and were on their way to attack Japanese ships. But their attack did not cause them serious damage.

After the return of the first strike aircraft, the Japanese command decided to carry out another attack. But when the torpedoes intended to attack American ships - these torpedoes were armed with torpedo bombers - began to be adapted for bombing ground targets, the message arrived: “Enemy squadron detected.” They again began to hastily equip aircraft for bombing ships. And at that moment, when the planes, loaded with bombs, torpedoes and fuel, were preparing to take off from the take-off platforms, 30 American dive bombers fell on them. The bombers took off from the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Yorktown. In less than five minutes, they destroyed the flower of the Japanese fleet - the heavy aircraft carriers Kara, Akachi and Soryu. In the entire history of warfare there has never been a faster or more dramatic change in the balance of power.

On the same day, American planes caused heavy damage to the aircraft carrier Hiryu. On June 5, she was sunk by her destroyer.

Japanese bombers heavily damaged the American aircraft carrier Yorktown, which was attacked by a Japanese submarine on June 6 and sank the next morning.

The Americans lost: a heavy aircraft carrier, a destroyer and 150 aircraft, including 30 based at Midway. The naval battle that took place changed the balance of forces in the Pacific Ocean in favor of the US fleet: the Japanese were left with 1 heavy and 4 light aircraft carriers versus 3 heavy ones for the Americans. In addition, the Japanese could not catch up with the Americans in their construction. In Japan, six aircraft carriers were built or repaired, and in the United States, at least 13 conventional and 15 escort aircraft carriers were laid down.

After these events, it became impossible for the Japanese to carry out active offensive operations. With naval support, American forces launched a counteroffensive in the Pacific theater.

Battle of Midway Atoll

Opponents

Commanders of the forces of the parties

Strengths of the parties

Battle of Midway Atoll was a major naval battle of World War II in the Pacific that took place in June 1942. The decisive victory of the US Navy over the Japanese Combined Fleet marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific. The Japanese fleet, having lost 4 heavy aircraft carriers, 248 aircraft and the best pilots, forever lost the ability to operate effectively outside the cover zones of coastal aviation.

Total information

Midway Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean, 1,136 miles northwest of the Hawaiian Islands, and occupies a very advantageous strategic position, being approximately in the center of the triangle formed by the Japanese base at Wake and the American ones at Dutch Harbor and Pearl Harbor . Its capture opened up great opportunities for planning and carrying out further operations of the Japanese fleet.

The alignment of forces and maneuvering of opponents on the eve of the Battle of Midway.

The idea of capturing Midway was born in February 1942, but until mid-April the details of the plan were not developed and the plan itself was not generally approved.

Damage and loss of IJN Akagi

I looked up and saw three enemy planes in a steep dive heading straight for our ship. Several hasty bursts of anti-aircraft guns were heard, but it was too late. American dive bombers were rapidly approaching. Several black drops separated from their wings. Bombs! They were flying straight at me! Instinctively, I fell to the deck and crawled behind the control panel.

Looking around, I was shocked by the destruction caused within a few seconds. There was a huge hole in the flight deck, just behind the central elevator. The elevator itself was twisted like a strip of foil. The twisted sheets of deck plating curled up bizarrely. The planes were burning, engulfed in thick black smoke. The flames grew stronger and stronger.

From the memoirs of Mitsuo Fuchida, commander of the air group of the IJN aircraft carrier Akagi

IJN Akagi received two direct hits: one in the rear section of the central elevator, the other in the section of the flight deck on the left side. Under normal conditions, none of these hits could have disabled the aircraft carrier, but the explosions of fuel and ammunition caused by the fire did their job. The flames spread like lightning along the aft part of the flight deck, engulfing the planes lined up wing to wing one after another. The torpedoes began to explode, making it impossible to fight the fire. At 18.00, the commander of the ship, Aoki, gave the order to the crew to abandon the aircraft carrier. On June 5 at 03.50, Admiral Yamamoto gave the order to scuttle the aircraft carrier, which was carried out by the escort destroyers. Within 20 minutes, four destroyers fired torpedoes. Seven minutes later, the aircraft carrier disappeared under water. The place where the ship died is located at 30°30"N latitude and 179°08"W. longitude Time of death - 04.55.

On IJN Akagi 263 people died. All other members of his team were rescued.

Damage and loss of IJN Kaga

At 10.24, nine dive bombers attacked the aircraft carrier. Each of them dropped one bomb. The first three fell near the ship. They didn't cause any harm. However, the next at least four bombs hit the forward, middle and aft parts of the flight deck. A bomb that hit the bow of the ship, just in front of the bridge, blew up a small gasoline tank standing there. Flames soaring high engulfed the bridge and adjacent areas of the deck. The ship's commander, Okada, and most of the other officers on the bridge died instantly. Of the senior officers, only the commander of the aviation combat unit, Captain 2nd Rank Amagai, survived. He immediately took command of the ship. IJN Kaga, which received bomb hits almost simultaneously with the IJN Akagi, remained afloat for much less time. At 16.40, Captain 2nd Rank Amagai gave the order to abandon the ship. Everyone who managed to survive was transferred to destroyers. At 19.25 two strong explosions were heard and the aircraft carrier sank. The place of his death was 30°20" north latitude and 179° 17" west latitude. longitude In this battle, a third of the aircraft carrier's crew died - 800 people.

Damage and loss of IJN Sōryū

At 10.25 IJN Sōryū was attacked by 13 American dive bombers and received three hits within three minutes. The first bomb exploded on the flight deck in front of the bow elevator, and the next two hit the central one, turning the deck beyond recognition. The fire soon spread to gasoline tanks and an ammunition magazine. By 10.30 the burning ship, shrouded in clouds of smoke, was a terrifying sight. The explosions caused by the fire followed one after another.

Within ten minutes, the main engines stopped, the steering system failed, and fire lines were destroyed. Just 20 minutes after the first bomb hit, the aircraft carrier was engulfed in such intense flames that its commander, Yanagimoto, had to give the order to abandon ship. Fleeing Japanese sailors were picked up by IJN destroyers Hamakaze and IJN Isokaze .

At 19.13, in front of the crew members who were on board the destroyers, IJN Sōryū sank under water, taking with it the bodies of 718 people and its commander. The aircraft carrier's dive site is 30°38" north latitude and 179°13" west latitude. longitude

Damage and loss of IJN Hiryū

IJN Hiryu evades attack from B-17 bombers.

IJN Hiryū acted at a distance from the rest of the ships of Nagumo’s formation and for the time being avoided their sad fate. Beginning at dawn, the ship was attacked by at least 79 aircraft, but managed to evade 26 torpedoes and 70 bombs. At 17.03, the aircraft carrier from the southwest, from the direction of the sun, was attacked unnoticed by 13 dive bombers from the USS Hornet(according to American data there were about 40 aircraft).

On IJN Hiryū opened fire and abruptly shifted the rudder to starboard. This maneuver avoided the first three bombs, but the remaining bombers scored four direct hits on the deck, which caused fires and explosions on the ship, and four more bombs exploded close to the side, damaging the plating and causing a leak.

At 21.23 IJN Hiryū stopped and began to roll. The fire pumps and steering gear were inactive. As the compartments filled with water, the ship's roll increased and eventually reached 15°. After some time, the stationary aircraft carrier was attacked again, this time by B-17 bombers, but none of the bombs hit the target. The ship was eventually scuttled by its crew. Along with the ship, the commander of the 2nd aircraft carrier division, Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi, who refused to leave, died.

Assessment of the event by contemporaries

Newspaper publications from June 9-13, 1942 created the incorrect impression in American society that the battle was won by “flying fortresses” and other shore-based aircraft. It turned out that “heavy army bombers stopped the Japanese fleet, sinking and damaging, according to General Arnold, 33 enemy ships.” The New York Times considered this news worthy of the front page, which made the “feat” of the B-17 pilots known throughout America.

On June 6, 1942, the front page of The New York Times published an article by one of the most authoritative observers, Robert Trumbull: “Our Magnificent Pilots.” The article quoted Admiral Nimitz as saying that on June 4–6, Fr. Midway "a magnificent, spectacular victory was won" and "the Japanese fleet retreated, suffering heavy losses, including several damaged aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers."

In the US periodical press for the entire period of the actual course of the battle (from June 4 to June 6, 1942), the composition of the Japanese fleet was never made public; The media limited themselves to mentioning that the enemy had an unknown number of aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, and transports. The American forces opposing them remained a complete mystery to the public. The situation with the commanders was similar: it was known that the US Pacific Fleet was led by Nimitz, but who commanded the Japanese formations at Midway was unknown.

Only on July 27, 1942, Life magazine published a detailed chronology of the battle. The battle is divided into 12 phases, and for each phase the publication presents a diagram with detailed comments, from which it follows that deck-based dive bombers made a decisive contribution to the battle, managing to hit 3 Japanese aircraft carriers in one attack.

Notes

Image in art

The repertoire of the Swedish power metal band Sabaton, whose main theme is war and various military conflicts and episodes from them, includes the song "Midway".

Original text:

Send them over the waves
Our sentinels
They report in the news
Position of our foes

This battlefield's been chosen, tactically in advance
Time to alert our fighters
We´re soon in range

Midway
We'll meet at Midway
Naval War

Calling all men to deck
Got to be airborne
Head out into the sun
Descending on our foes

This is the crucial moment, in the heat of the war
To fly and hit our targets
Down in the waves

Midway
Display their might, ordering carriers, admirals at war
We'll meet at Midway
To win the fight, tactics are crucial, naval war

Far from shore, a pacific war
bombs are falling from the skies
Its a bombrun day, it the naval way
A bloodred sun is on the rise

A feature film was made based on the Battle of Midway, and the battle is also mentioned or even shown in most films dedicated to combat operations in the Pacific theater.

Midway (1976): Genre: war, history, action. Director: Jack Smythe. Cast: Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn

Also, the final story arc of the Kantai Collection anime series is a “replay” of the Battle of Midway (the Japanese side managed to win not without the efforts of the main character, Fubuki).