4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

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4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

Postby Felix/FFDS » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:00 am

1942 The Battle of Midway begins

On this day in 1942, Japanese Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, commander of the fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor, launches a raid on Midway Island with almost the entirety of the Japanese navy.

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The attack on Midway was an unmitigated disaster for the Japanese, resulting in the loss of 322 aircraft and 3,500 men. They were forced to withdraw from the area before attempting even a landing on the island they sought to conquer.


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Re: 4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

Postby Hagar » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:50 am

I've read many accounts & seen the film several times. A great story of success against all the odds. Failure by the US Navy was not an option. This must have been the turning point in the Pacific war.
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Re: 4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

Postby Felix/FFDS » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:23 am

I think that the Battle of the Coral Sea was a draw, but it also spelled out to the Japanese military that the US Navy was their equal.   Midway, I think, was the beginning of the end.  Japan could not replace their carrier losses, while the US was just beginning their buildup.
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Re: 4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

Postby SilverFox441 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:02 pm

Epic battle...the type of thing that military leaders will have to study until mankind gives up war.

Perhaps more important than the loss of the carriers was the loss of the carrier air wings...that set up the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot when unskilled IJN aviators had to meet experienced USN aviators.
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Re: 4 JUNE 1942 The Battle of Midway begins

Postby ozzy72 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:31 pm

A remarkable feat indeed, the courage of those there should always be remembered.
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