Location
The Battle of Midway occured in the Pacific Ocean off Midway Atoll.

Wartime History
The Battle of Midway occurred between June 4-6, 1942 and was the second carrier engagement of the Pacific War after the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4–8, 1942) without opposing ships making contact. Only carrier and land based aircraft attacked the opposing fleets. The Battle of Midway was a decisive American victory and a turning point in the Pacific War. The Japanese suffered four aircraft carriers sunk failed to capture Midway Atoll and were forced to withdraw.

TBF Avengers from Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) at Midway began their combat career with attacks on the Japanese Fleet. During the battle, six B-26s, in conjunction with U. S. Navy torpedo bombers, attacked a carrier; two of the B-26s are shot down. In further morning action 14 B-17s attacked the task force approaching Midway at a distance of 145 miles; they claim several hits on carriers and 2 Zekes shot down. In the late afternoon 2 B-17s attack a carrier force, claiming hits on a battleship and a carrier and 9 aircraft shot down; 4 other B-17s claim a hit on heavy cruiser 185 miles from Midway. Six B-17s, en route to Midway from Hawaii, bomb ships 170 miles from Midway, claiming hits on Hiryu, hit earlier in the battle, and a destroyer, which is claimed sunk ending the Battle of Midway.

Losses
Japanese lost four aircraft carriers: Kaga and Soryu both sunk June 4, 1942. Akagi and Hiryu plus heavy cruiser Mikuma were sunk on June 6, 1942. Also lost were 332 aircraft and 3,500 personnel killed and missing.

American losses included aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and destroyer USS Hammann DD-412, Also lost were 105 aircraft and 307 men killed, a decisive American victory.

References
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial
The Battle of Midway (1942) directed by John Ford includes combat footage during the Battle of Midway June 1942
Revenge of the Red Raiders pages 101-105

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019