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[[Image:Midway Atoll.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Midway Atoll, as it looked in November, 1941]]

[[Image:Midway Atoll.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Midway Atoll, as it looked in November, 1941]]

'''The Battle of Midway''', fought near the Central Pacific island of Midway on June 4-7, 1942, is considered the decisive battle of the war in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Before this battle the Japanese were on the offensive, capturing territory throughout [[Asia]] and the Pacific. By their attack, the Japanese had planned to capture Midway to use as an advance base, as well as to entrap and destroy the [[U.S.]] Pacific Fleet. Because of communication intelligence successes, the [[U.S.]] Pacific Fleet surprised the Japanese forces, sinking the four Japanese carriers that had attacked [[Pearl Harbor]] only six months before, while only losing of one carrier. After Midway, the [[American]]s and their Allies took the offensive in the Pacific.

'''The Battle of Midway''', fought near the Central Pacific island of Midway on June 4-7, 1942, is considered the decisive battle of the war in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Before this battle the Japanese were on the offensive, capturing territory throughout [[Asia]] and the Pacific. By their attack, the Japanese had planned to capture Midway to use as an advance base, as well as to entrap and destroy the [[U.S.]] Pacific Fleet. Because of communication intelligence successes, the [[U.S.]] Pacific Fleet surprised the Japanese forces, sinking the four Japanese carriers that had attacked [[Pearl Harbor]] only six months before, while only losing of one carrier. After Midway, the [[American]]s and their Allies took the offensive in the Pacific.

==Midway Atoll==

==Midway Atoll==

Midway is a small atoll nearly half-way across the Pacific, the westernmost inhabited member of the Hawaiian Island chain. Its two major islands, Sand and Eastern, have a combined area of only a few square miles. They are densely populated by several bird species, of which the most abundant is the [[Laysan Albatross]], popularly nicknamed the "Gooney Bird".

Midway is a small atoll nearly half-way across the Pacific, the westernmost inhabited member of the Hawaiian Island chain. Its two major islands, Sand and Eastern, have a combined area of only a few square miles. They are densely populated by several bird species, of which the most abundant is the [[Laysan Albatross]], popularly nicknamed the "Gooney Bird".

==Prelude==

==Prelude==

Following the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the Japanese armed forces conducted military operations against U.S., British Commonwealth, and Dutch possessions in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The first phase of these operations, which was the seizure of Malaysia, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines, and various island groups in the central and western Pacific, was virtually complete by March 1942. The second phase, initiated by Japanese Imperial Headquarters on January 23, was designed to isolate and neutralize Australia and India. In the Pacific, this plan envisioned the seizure of bases in Papua/New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which would be used to support future operations against New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa. By early March, with the seizure of Lae and Salamaua, the entire north coast of Papua/New Guinea had fallen to Japanese forces who were planning for an amphibious invasion of Port Moresby.

Following the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the Japanese armed forces conducted military operations against U.S., British Commonwealth, and Dutch possessions in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The first phase of these operations, which was the seizure of Malaysia, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines, and various island groups in the central and western Pacific, was virtually complete by March 1942. The second phase, initiated by Japanese Imperial Headquarters on January 23, was designed to isolate and neutralize Australia and India. In the Pacific, this plan envisioned the seizure of bases in Papua/New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which would be used to support future operations against New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa. By early March, with the seizure of Lae and Salamaua, the entire north coast of Papua/New Guinea had fallen to Japanese forces who were planning for an amphibious invasion of Port Moresby.

===Early intellegence===

 

===Early intelligence===

By this time, two secure American naval intelligence centers were in operation in the Pacific: one in Melbourne, Australia, and another at Pearl Harbor ("Hypo"). A third, at Corregidor ("Cast"), was rapidly disintegrating under Japanese air and artillery attacks on the island. Its cryptanalysts and equipment were in the process of evacuation to Melbourne. These facilities intercepted Japanese radio communications and, through traffic analysis and codebreaking, uncovered the location of major fleet units and shore based air forces. More importantly, by translating messages and studying operational patterns, Melbourne and Hypo predicted future Japanese operations. The intelligence centers provided their analysis, through daily communications intelligence (COMINT) briefings and warning reports, to senior American commanders, including Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, Admiral [[Ernest J. King]], and Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral [[Chester W. Nimitz]].

By this time, two secure American naval intelligence centers were in operation in the Pacific: one in Melbourne, Australia, and another at Pearl Harbor ("Hypo"). A third, at Corregidor ("Cast"), was rapidly disintegrating under Japanese air and artillery attacks on the island. Its cryptanalysts and equipment were in the process of evacuation to Melbourne. These facilities intercepted Japanese radio communications and, through traffic analysis and codebreaking, uncovered the location of major fleet units and shore based air forces. More importantly, by translating messages and studying operational patterns, Melbourne and Hypo predicted future Japanese operations. The intelligence centers provided their analysis, through daily communications intelligence (COMINT) briefings and warning reports, to senior American commanders, including Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, Admiral [[Ernest J. King]], and Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral [[Chester W. Nimitz]].

==Japanese plan==

==Japanese plan==

On April 16, after several months of discussion, Commander in Chief, Combined Fleet, Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]], convinced the Imperial General Staff to agree to his Midway and Aleutians strategy for the summer. In Admiral Yamamoto's view, the capture of Midway Island would allow Japan to pursue its Asian policies behind an impregnable eastern shield of defenses in the Central Pacific. The centerpiece of this plan was a feint toward Alaska followed by an invasion of Midway. When the U.S. Pacific Fleet responded to the landings on Midway, Japanese carrier and battleship task forces, waiting unseen to the west of the Midway strike Force, would fall upon and destroy the unsuspecting Americans. If successful, the plan would effectively eliminate the U.S. Pacific Fleet for at least a year and provide a forward outpost from which ample warning of any future threat by the U.S. would come.

On April 16, after several months of discussion, Commander in Chief, Combined Fleet, Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]], convinced the Imperial General Staff to agree to his Midway and Aleutians strategy for the summer. In Admiral Yamamoto's view, the capture of Midway Island would allow Japan to pursue its Asian policies behind an impregnable eastern shield of defenses in the Central Pacific. The centerpiece of this plan was a feint toward Alaska followed by an invasion of Midway. When the U.S. Pacific Fleet responded to the landings on Midway, Japanese carrier and battleship task forces, waiting unseen to the west of the Midway strike Force, would fall upon and destroy the unsuspecting Americans. If successful, the plan would effectively eliminate the U.S. Pacific Fleet for at least a year and provide a forward outpost from which ample warning of any future threat by the U.S. would come.

===The Doolittle Raid===

===The Doolittle Raid===

[[Image:Doolittle1.jpg|thumb|150px|right|April 18, 1942: the Doolittle Raid about to launch from USS ''Hornet''.]]

[[Image:Doolittle1.jpg|thumb|150px|right|April 18, 1942: the Doolittle Raid about to launch from USS ''Hornet''.]]

On May 26, since COMINT suggested the Japanese intended to approach from that direction, submarine USS ''Gudgeon'' (SS-211) sailed for a surface patrol northwest of Midway. Also on the 26th, aircraft ferry USS ''Kitty Hawk'' (AKV-1) arrived at Midway with reinforcements for Marine Air Group 22, a light tank platoon earmarked for a mobile reserve, and the 3d Defense Battalion, equipped with 3-inch antiaircraft guns. On that same day, Task Force Sixteen (TF 16) under the command of Rear Admiral [[William F. Halsey]], and centered around USS ''Hornet'' (CV- 8) and USS ''Enterprise'' (CV-6), returned to Pearl Harbor from the South Pacific to begin preparations for the upcoming battle. Although suffering from damage inflicted by Japanese bombs during the 7-8 May [[Battle of the Coral Sea]], USS ''Yorktown'' (CV-5) returned the next day.

On May 26, since COMINT suggested the Japanese intended to approach from that direction, submarine USS ''Gudgeon'' (SS-211) sailed for a surface patrol northwest of Midway. Also on the 26th, aircraft ferry USS ''Kitty Hawk'' (AKV-1) arrived at Midway with reinforcements for Marine Air Group 22, a light tank platoon earmarked for a mobile reserve, and the 3d Defense Battalion, equipped with 3-inch antiaircraft guns. On that same day, Task Force Sixteen (TF 16) under the command of Rear Admiral [[William F. Halsey]], and centered around USS ''Hornet'' (CV- 8) and USS ''Enterprise'' (CV-6), returned to Pearl Harbor from the South Pacific to begin preparations for the upcoming battle. Although suffering from damage inflicted by Japanese bombs during the 7-8 May [[Battle of the Coral Sea]], USS ''Yorktown'' (CV-5) returned the next day.

==Departure to battle==

==Departure to battle==

Also on the 26th, the Japanese Northern Force, which included two light carriers, sailed from Ominato toward the Aleutians. The next day, Japanese forces began getting underway for Midway. Chief among them was First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force under Vice Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]], comprising the four large carriers ''Akagi'', ''Kaga'', ''Soryu'', and ''Hiryu'' with a total of 229 carrier aircraft. On the 28th, the Japanese First Fleet, the main body of warships under Admiral Yamamoto in his flagship, the super-battleship ''Yamato'', sortied from home waters. The Second Fleet, Escort Force (Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo), including 15 transports, sailed from Saipan; Second Fleet, Occupation Support Force (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) sortied from Guam. These forces were supported by 17 patrol seaplanes.

Also on the 26th, the Japanese Northern Force, which included two light carriers, sailed from Ominato toward the Aleutians. The next day, Japanese forces began getting underway for Midway. Chief among them was First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force under Vice Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]], comprising the four large carriers ''Akagi'', ''Kaga'', ''Soryu'', and ''Hiryu'' with a total of 229 carrier aircraft. On the 28th, the Japanese First Fleet, the main body of warships under Admiral Yamamoto in his flagship, the super-battleship ''Yamato'', sortied from home waters. The Second Fleet, Escort Force (Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo), including 15 transports, sailed from Saipan; Second Fleet, Occupation Support Force (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) sortied from Guam. These forces were supported by 17 patrol seaplanes.

===June 5, 1942===

===June 5, 1942===

On June 5, TF 16 under command of Rear Admiral Spruance pursued the Japanese fleet westward, while work continued to salvage the damaged ''Yorktown''. Both ''Akagi'' and ''Hiryu'', damaged the previous day, were scuttled by Japanese destroyers early on the 5th.

On June 5, TF 16 under command of Rear Admiral Spruance pursued the Japanese fleet westward, while work continued to salvage the damaged ''Yorktown''. Both ''Akagi'' and ''Hiryu'', damaged the previous day, were scuttled by Japanese destroyers early on the 5th.

===June 6, 1942===

===June 6, 1942===

[[Image:Midway.jpg|thumb|150px|right|SBD Dauntless dive bombers from USS ''Hornet'' approaching the burning Japanese heavy cruiser ''Mikuma'' to make the third set of attacks on her, during the early afternoon of June 6, 1942.]]

[[Image:Midway.jpg|thumb|150px|right|SBD Dauntless dive bombers from USS ''Hornet'' approaching the burning Japanese heavy cruiser ''Mikuma'' to make the third set of attacks on her, during the early afternoon of June 6, 1942.]]