Battle of Midway

Battle of Midway
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
Date 4–7 June 1942 Location Midway Result Decisive American victory
Belligerents
United States	Empire of Japan
Commanders and leaders
Chester Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance	Isoroku Yamamoto Nobutake Kondo Chuichi Nagumo

The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important one of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The United States Navy decisively defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) attack against Midway Atoll, inflicting irreparable damage on the Japanese aircraft carrier force and seizing the strategic initiative.

Battle of Midway in Days of Infamy

With Hawaii subdued in early 1942, the Battle of Midway was an easy victory for Japan.

After the United States retook Hawaii in 1943, Midway became a critical airbase for Japan. The U.S., already on a roll with the liberation of Hawaii, began making plans to invade Midway in the closing months of 1943.

Battle of Midway in "News From the Front"

Due to the sinking of the USS Yorktown off Oahu in May 1942, only the Hornet and the Saratoga could defend Midway against the Japanese, but due to the Honolulu Advertiser posting the story in advance, the Japanese knew of the plan and the Battle of Midway was lost. The San Francisco Chronicle later reported on the disaster, claiming that reliable sources said both carriers were sunk.

See also

• Battle of Midway (Southern Victory), a fictitious battle in an alternate 1940s war.