demons:71 years-ago today the Midway Islands–two tiny islets–loomed large in the grand
demons: 71 years-ago today the Midway Islands–two tiny islets–loomed large in the grand strategy of the Japanese following the no-win that had been the Battle of Coral Sea. When captured, Midway was to be used as a base for the subjugation of Hawaii, little more than 1150 miles to the southeast. For the Japanese, Midway was the stepping stone to ensuring naval dominance. As part of the plan, ships of the US Pacific Fleet were to be lured north to Aleutians by a diversionary Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor and the islands of Attu and Kiska. This maneuver was calculated to clear the way for a strong Japanese striking force to capture Midway. However, Admiral Yamamoto had no way of knowing that the United States had cracked Japan’s Naval code and, as a result, knew of the plan. As a result, two American task forces with three large aircraft carriers were ready and waiting for the arrival of the main Japanese force in the Midway area on 3 June 1942. The ensuing battle was horrific for the Imperial Japanese Navy and by the time Battle of Midway was over, they had been dealt the worst defeat in its history; all four Japanese aircraft carriers and a single heavy cruiser were sunk, more than 250 aircraft lost and more the 2000 men killed. The IJN would never recover from the blow dealt to them by the US Navy. The Allied victory at the Battle of Midway signaled the end of the Japanese dream of naval domination of the Pacific and, for the first time since the invasion of Manchuria, put the Japanese military on the defensive. The war in the Pacific had finally changed in favor for the Allies. -- source link