What was the battle plan at Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway was a decisive naval battle that took place June 4–7, 1942, between the United States and Imperial Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was the first major U.S. victory in the war and marked a turning point in the Pacific campaign. The battle took place over several days and involved a series of complex tactical maneuvers, primarily around who knew beforehand about where and when the decisive encounter would occur.

Allied Strategy and Deception:

The Allies, having successfully deciphered Japanese naval codes, were aware of the Japanese plan to attack Midway Island. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, devised a plan to lure the Japanese into a trap. He positioned three aircraft carriers, the Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, along with their accompanying warships, to the northeast of Midway. Midway itself was also reinforced with land-based aircraft.

Japanese Plan and Surprise Attack:

The Japanese plan involved a two-pronged attack on Midway. One group of carriers, led by Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, would launch a surprise attack on Midway Island, destroying its airfields and neutralizing its defenses. Another group, under Admiral Nobutake Kondo, would provide support and protect the carriers during the strike.

The Japanese believed that their surprise attack would catch the Americans off-guard and allow them to establish a strategic foothold in the Central Pacific. They were unaware, however, that their own codes had been compromised and that the Americans were aware of their plans.

Early Skirmish and Carrier Discoveries:

On the morning of June 4, the Japanese began their attack on Midway Island. Dive bombers and torpedo planes from Nagumo's carriers struck at the island's airfields and installations, causing significant damage but failing to completely neutralize the defenses.

Meanwhile, American scout planes located the approaching Japanese carrier fleet and reported their positions to Admiral Nimitz. The U.S. carriers and their air wings prepared to launch their own attack.

American Counter-Attack:

In the early afternoon, American dive bombers and torpedo planes from the Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown launched a counter-attack against the Japanese carriers. The Japanese were caught off-guard and suffered heavy losses. Three of their carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu, were set ablaze and eventually sank.

Sinking of the Yorktown:

During the chaos of the battle, the Japanese focused their attention on the vulnerable Yorktown. Despite heroic efforts by the crew to save their ship, the Yorktown sustained severe damage and eventually sank on June 7.

Japanese Retreat:

With three of their carriers lost and heavy casualties, the Japanese decided to retreat. Admiral Nagumo abandoned the operation and withdrew his remaining ships. The Battle of Midway was a decisive victory for the United States, effectively halting Japanese expansion in the Pacific and marking the beginning of a turning point in the war.

In summary, the Battle of Midway involved carefully planned strategies, both by the Allies and the Japanese, but it was the Allies who successfully pulled off a surprise attack of their own, using codebreaking and calculated maneuvers, which ultimately led to a decisive victory.