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<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">{{Battle
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{{Battle
 
| conflict = Second Battle of the North Pacific
 
| conflict = Second Battle of the North Pacific
| partof = [[World War II]],
+
| partof = [[World War II (Days of Infamy)|World War II]],
| date = April, 1943
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| date = June, 1943
| place = [[Pacific Ocean]], North of [[Hawaii]]
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| place = [[Pacific Ocean (Days of Infamy)|Pacific Ocean]], North of [[Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|Hawaii]]
 
| result = Decisive American Victory
 
| result = Decisive American Victory
| combatant1 = [[File:USA48star.jpg|15px]] [[United States]]
+
| combatant1 = [[File:USA48star.jpg|20px]] [[United States (Days of Infamy)|United States]]
| combatant2 = [[Image:Japan.jpg|15px]] [[Japan|Empire of Japan]]
+
| combatant2 = [[Image:Japan.jpg|20px]] [[Japan (Days of Infamy)|Empire of Japan]]
| commander1 = [[Image:USNavalStandard.jpg|15px]] ???
+
| commander1 = [[Image:USNavalStandard.jpg|20px]] ???
| commander2 = [[File:Empire of Japan flag.png|15px]] [[Tomeo Kaku]]†
+
| commander2 = [[File:Empire of Japan flag.png|20px]] [[Tomeo Kaku]]†
[[File:Empire of Japan flag.png|15px]] [[Mitsuo Fuchida]]{{DOD}}}}The '''Second Battle of the North Pacific''' was the third major fleet engagement of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] War in [[World War II]]. After the disastrous loss the year before in the [[1st Battle of the North Pacific]], the [[United States]] refused to give up until they had completely defeated the [[Japan#Japan in Days of Infamy|Japanese]]. This led to another naval battle for the [[Hawaii#Hawaii in Days of Infamy|Hawaiian Islands]]. Having learnt valuable lessons the year before, the [[United States Navy]] struck at the [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese task force]] guarding Hawaii with the largest fleet history had ever seen. The small task force defending Hawaii was effectively wiped out, paving the way for the [[US Liberation of Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|Liberation of Hawaii]] by the [[United States Marine Corps|US Marine Corps]] and [[United States Army|Army]].</p>
+
[[File:Empire of Japan flag.png|20px]] [[Mitsuo Fuchida (Days of Infamy)|Mitsuo Fuchida]]{{DOD}}}}The '''Second Battle of the North Pacific''' was the third major fleet engagement of the [[Pacific Ocean (Days of Infamy)|Pacific]] War in [[World War II (Days of Infamy)|World War II]]. After the disastrous loss the year before in the [[1st Battle of the North Pacific]], the [[United States (Days of Infamy)|United States]] refused to give up until they had completely defeated the [[Japan (Days of Infamy)|Japanese]]. This led to another naval battle for the [[Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|Hawaiian Islands]]. Having learned valuable lessons the year before, the [[United States Navy (Days of Infamy)|US navy]] struck at the [[Imperial Japanese Navy (Days of Infamy)|Japanese task force]] guarding Hawaii with the largest fleet history had ever seen. The small task force defending Hawaii was effectively wiped out, paving the way for the [[US Liberation of Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|Liberation of Hawaii]] by the [[United States Marine Corps (Days of Infamy)|US Marine Corps]] and [[United States Army (Days of Infamy)|Army]].
   
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">After the [[United States Navy (Days of Infamy)|US Navy's]] defeat in the [[1st Battle of the North Pacific]], the Americans withdrew to the [[California|US West Coast]] to lick their wounds and prepare for another attempt. Having learnt valuable lessons in that battle, they transferred all of their [[Aircraft carrier|carriers]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. American shipyards also turned out new fleet carriers such as the ''[[USS Bunker Hill|Bunker Hill]]'', the ''[[USS Essex|Essex]]'', and the ''[[USS Wasp|Wasp]]''. Joining them were the repaired [[USS Hornet|Hornet]] and the obsolescent ''[[USS Ranger|Ranger]]'', several light carriers and close to a dozen escort carriers, giving the Americans the most powerful carrier fleet in history. [[Japan (Days of Infamy)|Japan's]] situation on the other hand was precarious as she had only launched one new fleet carrier since the war had broken out, the ''[[IJN Taiho|Taiho]]'', and even that ship wouldn't be ready to fight for another year. The US [[submarine]] war on the [[Hawaii (Days of Infamy)| Hawaiian]] Islands was also cutting the vital supply of fuel needed to train the replacement pilots, all of whom were dangerously inexperienced. On top of that, the defeats the [[Germany (Days of Infamy)|Germans]] had suffered in [[North Africa]] meant that the [[United Kingdom|British]] could being attacking the Japanese empire from the west, while down in [[Australia]] the [[United States Army Air Force|US Army Air Force]] was becoming an increasingly troublesome enemy. All in all, Japan's limited resources were being stretched thin by early 1943. The Japanese suffered another blow when the ''[[IJN Zuikaku|Zuikaku]]'' was damaged by a submarine attack as she was returning to join the fleet in Hawaii. This left the Japanese task force defending Hawaii with only two fleet carriers.</p>
+
After the US Navy's defeat in the First Battle of the North Pacific, the Americans withdrew to [[California (Days of Infamy)|California]] to lick their wounds and prepare for another attempt. Having learnt valuable lessons in that battle, they transferred all of their [[Aircraft carrier (Days of Infamy)|carriers]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean (Days of Infamy)|Atlantic]] to the Pacific. American shipyards also turned out new fleet carriers such as the ''[[USS Bunker Hill (Days of Infamy)|Bunker Hill]]'', the ''[[USS Essex (Days of Infamy)|Essex]]'', and the ''[[USS Wasp (Days of Infamy)|Wasp]]''. Joining them were the repaired ''[[USS Hornet (Days of Infamy)|Hornet]]'' and the obsolescent ''[[USS Ranger (Days of Infamy)|Ranger]]'', several light carriers and close to a dozen escort carriers, giving the Americans the most powerful carrier fleet in history. Japan's situation on the other hand was precarious as she had only launched one new fleet carrier since the war had broken out, the ''[[Taiho (Days of Infamy)|Taiho]]'', and even that ship wouldn't be ready to fight for another year. The US [[Submarine (Days of Infamy)|submarine]] war on the Hawaiian Islands was also cutting the vital supply of fuel needed to train the replacement pilots, all of whom were dangerously inexperienced. On top of that, the defeats the [[Germany (Days of Infamy)|Germans]] had suffered in [[North Africa]] meant that the [[Britain (Days of Infamy)|British]] could being attacking the Japanese empire from the west, while down in [[Australia (Days of Infamy)|Australia]] the [[United States Army Air Force (Days of Infamy)|US Army Air Force]] was becoming an increasingly troublesome enemy. All in all, Japan's limited resources were being stretched thin by early 1943. The Japanese suffered another blow when the ''[[Zuikaku (Days of Infamy)|Zuikaku]]'' was damaged by a submarine attack as she was returning to join the fleet in Hawaii. This left the Japanese task force defending Hawaii with only two fleet carriers.
   
 
==The Battle==
 
==The Battle==
 
===The Battle Begins===
 
===The Battle Begins===
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The much-awaited battle finally came in April, when Japanese picket boats spotted the US fleet. The Japanese Task Force sailed from [[Pearl Harbor (Days of Infamy)|Pearl Harbor]], minus ''Zuikaku'' which was still laid up in port, and headed for the biggest gap in their picket boat line. Although it was suggested by [[Saburo Shindo]] that the Japanese Strike Force detour in order to prevent the American pilots from following their path back to the Japanese fleet, the need to maintain radio silence prevented the two carriers from coordinating any such plan. Meanwhile the US fleet, aware that the element of surprise had gone, was quick to move into action, sending up their strike force and combat air patrol (CAP). American aircrews were now operating from better and more powerful carriers, and flying with the new [[Hellcat]] fighter and better torpedo planes like the [[TBF Avenger]]. Their pilots had been taught by veterans of the first battle and knew how to fight the dreaded [[Zero]]. The Japanese only had a experimental [[radar]] on ''Akagi'', and while the [[Imperial Japanese Army (Days of Infamy)|Army]] had deployed the advanced [[Hien]] fighter, it wouldn't be able to take part in the battle.</p>
+
The much-awaited battle finally came in April, when Japanese picket boats spotted the US fleet. The Japanese Task Force sailed from [[Pearl Harbor (Days of Infamy)|Pearl Harbor]], minus ''Zuikaku'' which was still laid up in port, and headed for the biggest gap in their picket boat line. Although it was suggested by [[Saburo Shindo (Days of Infamy)|Saburo Shindo]] that the Japanese Strike Force detour in order to prevent the American pilots from following their path back to the Japanese fleet, the need to maintain radio silence prevented the two carriers from coordinating any such plan. Meanwhile the US fleet, aware that the element of surprise had gone, was quick to move into action, sending up their strike force and combat air patrol (CAP). American aircrews were now operating from better and more powerful carriers, and flying with the new [[Hellcat (Days of Infamy)|Hellcat]] fighter and better torpedo planes like the [[TBF Avenger (Days of Infamy)|TBF Avenger]]. Their pilots had been taught by veterans of the first battle and knew how to fight the dreaded [[Zero (Days of Infamy)|Zero]]. The Japanese only had a experimental [[Radar (Days of Infamy)|radar]] on ''[[Akagi (Days of Infamy)|Akagi]]'', and while the [[Imperial Japanese Army (Days of Infamy)|Army]] had deployed the advanced [[Hien (Days of Infamy)|Hien]] fighter, it wouldn't be able to take part in the battle.
   
 
===The attack on the American fleet===
 
===The attack on the American fleet===
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">As the Japanese strike force took off, they radioed the US fleet's position back to Hawaii, where their [[Mitsubishi G4M|G4M]] bombers were waiting. They took off to attack the US fleet from the south. The Japanese Strike Force consisted of 120 planes, only a third as many that had hit Hawaii at the start of the war. Although they spotted the US fleet first, the US strike force heading towards their own fleet also spotted them. The new Hellcat fighters pounced on the Japanese strike force, given Zero pilots a rude shock as they quickly found themselves outclassed for the first time in the war. The American fighters only distracted the Zeros as their main targets were the [[Aichi D3A|dive bombers]] and [[Nakajima B5N|torpedo planes]]. After mauling the Japanese strike force, they abruptly left to protect their own bombers, leaving the remainder to the US fleet's CAP. Upon reaching the US fleet, the Japanese believed that the Americans still hadn't learnt their lesson from the year before, seeing that they still grouped their carriers together rather than spacing them out. This made them easier targets to hit, and they managed to sink a light carrier, damage an escort carrier and a fleet carrier; but the latter could still launch planes. By then the US Navy's CAP was taking a heavy toll on the Japanese aircraft, and they fled without assessing what damage they had done.</p>
+
As the Japanese strike force took off, they radioed the US fleet's position back to Hawaii, where their [[Mitsubishi (Days of Infamy)|Mitsubishi G4M]] bombers were waiting. They took off to attack the US fleet from the south. The Japanese Strike Force consisted of 120 planes, only a third as many that had hit Hawaii at the start of the war. Although they spotted the US fleet first, the US strike force heading towards their own fleet also spotted them. The new Hellcat fighters pounced on the Japanese strike force, given Zero pilots a rude shock as they quickly found themselves outclassed for the first time in the war. The American fighters only distracted the Zeros as their main targets were the [[Aichi (Days of Infamy)|dive bombers]] and [[Nakajima (Days of Infamy)|torpedo planes]]. After mauling the Japanese strike force, they abruptly left to protect their own bombers, leaving the remainder to the US fleet's CAP. Upon reaching the US fleet, the Japanese believed that the Americans still hadn't learnt their lesson from the year before, seeing that they still grouped their carriers together rather than spacing them out. This made them easier targets to hit, and they managed to sink a light carrier, damage an escort carrier and a fleet carrier; but the latter could still launch planes. By then the US Navy's CAP was taking a heavy toll on the Japanese aircraft, and they fled without assessing what damage they had done.
   
 
===The defeat of the Japanese task force===
 
===The defeat of the Japanese task force===
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Now armed with some devastating firepower, the US strike force that took off for the Japanese Fleet consisted of Hellcat fighters, [[Wildcat#Wilcat in Days of Infamy|Wildcat]] interceptors, [[SBD Dauntless|Dauntless]] dive bombers, and Avenger torpedo bombers. On their way to the Japanese fleet, the US strike force ran into the Japanese aircraft coming the other way. The Hellcats engaged the attack planes, while the Wildcats kept watch over their own bombers. The Hellcats quickly shot down many planes, before withdrawing to protect their own strike force. They arrived at the Japanese fleet and quickly overwhelmed the Japanese own CAP. This gave the attack planes the opportunity to strike at the Japanese carriers with little interference. The ''Akagi'' was hit first with torpedoes and then with bombs, dooming the ship. Next, the ''[[IJN Shokaku|Shokaku]]'' was hit with bombs, crippling her. Rear Admiral [[Tomeo Kaku]] accepted full responsibility for the defeat and went down with the ''Akagi''. After the ''Shokaku'' was crippled, the US strike force spotted the incoming G4M bombers from Oahu; every single bomber was shot down by the Hellcats. Those attack planes still carrying bombs and torpedoes then dived on the Japanese cruisers and destroyers, sinking some and damaging many. Having won the battle, the US strike force headed back to their fleet. On the way, they again encountered their Japanese counterparts, and the Hellcats struck. What little remained of the Japanese strike force was obliterated; its commander [[Mitsuo Fuchida]] was shot down by [[Joe Crosetti]], and all of the remaining dive bombers and torpedo planes perished with him. Only a handful of Zeros led by Saburo Shindo managed to escape to Oahu.</p>
+
Now armed with some devastating firepower, the US strike force that took off for the Japanese Fleet consisted of Hellcat fighters, [[Wildcat (Days of Infamy)|Wildcat]] interceptors, [[SBD Dauntless (Days of Infamy)|Dauntless]] dive bombers, and Avenger torpedo bombers. On their way to the Japanese fleet, the US strike force ran into the Japanese aircraft coming the other way. The Hellcats engaged the attack planes, while the Wildcats kept watch over their own bombers. The Hellcats quickly shot down many planes, before withdrawing to protect their own strike force. They arrived at the Japanese fleet and quickly overwhelmed the Japanese own CAP. This gave the attack planes the opportunity to strike at the Japanese carriers with little interference. The ''Akagi'' was hit first with torpedoes and then with bombs, dooming the ship. Next, the ''[[Shokaku (Days of Infamy)|Shokaku]]'' was hit with bombs, crippling her. Rear Admiral [[Tomeo Kaku (Days of Infamy)|Tomeo Kaku]] accepted full responsibility for the defeat and went down with the ''Akagi''. After the ''Shokaku'' was crippled, the US strike force spotted the incoming G4M bombers from [[Oahu (Days of Infamy)|Oahu]]; every single bomber was shot down by the Hellcats. Those attack planes still carrying bombs and torpedoes then dived on the Japanese cruisers and destroyers, sinking some and damaging many. Having won the battle, the US strike force headed back to their fleet. On the way, they again encountered their Japanese counterparts, and the Hellcats struck. What little remained of the Japanese strike force was obliterated; its commander [[Mitsuo Fuchida (Days of Infamy)|Mitsuo Fuchida]] was shot down by [[Joe Crosetti]], and all of the remaining dive bombers and torpedo planes perished with him. Only a handful of Zeros led by Saburo Shindo managed to escape to Oahu.
   
 
===The Battle Ends.===
 
===The Battle Ends.===
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">''Shokaku'' had been so badly damaged by the attack that she was beyond saving and had to be abandoned, so Japanese destroyers sank her with torpedoes. This left the ''Zuikaku'' as the only carrier in Hawaiian waters, but she was laid up in Pearl Harbor and unable to escape, let alone fight. With their air power effectively wiped out, the Japanese Navy had suffered its first devastating defeat in three and a half centuries, the last being at the hands of the [[Korea|Koreans]] back in the 16<sup>th</sup> century.</p>
+
''Shokaku'' had been so badly damaged by the attack that she was beyond saving and had to be abandoned, so Japanese destroyers sank her with torpedoes. This left the ''Zuikaku'' as the only carrier in Hawaiian waters, but she was laid up in Pearl Harbor and unable to escape, let alone fight. With their air power effectively wiped out, the Japanese Navy had suffered its first devastating defeat in three and a half centuries, the last being at the hands of the [[Korea]]ns back in the 16th century.
   
 
==Aftermath.==
 
==Aftermath.==
   
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">With the battle over, Japanese naval power in the Eastern Pacific ceased to exist. This success led to the go-ahead for a massive bomber raid on the islands using [[B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17's]] and [[B-24 Liberator|B-24's]]. The raid destroyed ''Zuikaku'', the last Japanese fleet carrier in Hawaiian waters, and leaving Japan only half of her prewar fleet carrier force. Realizing that Hawaii was lost, the Japanese Naval High Command refused to send any more reinforcements to the island, considering it more wise to conserve what little strength they had left. While many in the Navy accepted this, the Army was less than enthusiastic, especially General [[Tomoyuki Yamashita|Yamashita]], with whom the responsibility of Hawaii's defense now lay. Lieutenant Saburo Shindo understood the Navy's decision to abandon Hawaii, realizing that even if Japan had brought to bear all its carrier force against the US fleet, it still would have lost. [[Isoroku Yamamoto|Isoroku Yamamoto's]] dark prediction about US industrial might had finally come true. With acceptable losses, the US Fleet then moved on to its next phase: the [[US Liberation of Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|liberation of Hawaii]].{{DEFAULTSORT: North Pacific, Second Battle of the}} {{Infamy}}</p>
+
With the battle over, Japanese naval power in the Eastern Pacific ceased to exist. This success led to the go-ahead for a massive bomber raid on the islands using [[B-17 Flying Fortress (Days of Infamy)|B-17's]] and [[B-24 Liberator (Days of Infamy)|B-24's]]. The raid destroyed ''Zuikaku'', the last Japanese fleet carrier in Hawaiian waters, and leaving Japan only half of her prewar fleet carrier force. Realizing that Hawaii was lost, the Japanese Naval High Command refused to send any more reinforcements to the island, considering it more wise to conserve what little strength they had left. While many in the Navy accepted this, the Army was less than enthusiastic, especially General [[Tomoyuki Yamashita (Days of Infamy)|Tomoyuki Yamashita]], with whom the responsibility of Hawaii's defense now lay. Lieutenant Saburo Shindo understood the Navy's decision to abandon Hawaii, realizing that even if Japan had brought to bear all its carrier force against the US fleet, it still would have lost. [[Isoroku Yamamoto (Days of Infamy)|Isoroku Yamamoto's]] dark prediction about US industrial might had finally come true. With acceptable losses, the US Fleet then moved on to its next phase: the [[US Liberation of Hawaii (Days of Infamy)|liberation of Hawaii]].
  +
  +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
  +
{{Infamy}}
  +
{{DEFAULTSORT: North Pacific, Second Battle of the}}
 
[[Category:Battles of World War II]]
 
[[Category:Battles of World War II]]
 
[[Category:Days of Infamy]]
 
[[Category:Days of Infamy]]

Revision as of 19:05, 18 March 2020

Second Battle of the North Pacific
Part of World War II,
Date June, 1943
Location Pacific Ocean, North of Hawaii
Result Decisive American Victory
Belligerents
USA48star United States Japan Empire of Japan
Commanders and leaders
USNavalStandard ??? Empire of Japan flag Tomeo Kaku

Empire of Japan flag Mitsuo Fuchida

The Second Battle of the North Pacific was the third major fleet engagement of the Pacific War in World War II. After the disastrous loss the year before in the 1st Battle of the North Pacific, the United States refused to give up until they had completely defeated the Japanese. This led to another naval battle for the Hawaiian Islands. Having learned valuable lessons the year before, the US navy struck at the Japanese task force guarding Hawaii with the largest fleet history had ever seen. The small task force defending Hawaii was effectively wiped out, paving the way for the Liberation of Hawaii by the US Marine Corps and Army.

Background

After the US Navy's defeat in the First Battle of the North Pacific, the Americans withdrew to California to lick their wounds and prepare for another attempt. Having learnt valuable lessons in that battle, they transferred all of their carriers from the Atlantic to the Pacific. American shipyards also turned out new fleet carriers such as the Bunker Hill, the Essex, and the Wasp. Joining them were the repaired Hornet and the obsolescent Ranger, several light carriers and close to a dozen escort carriers, giving the Americans the most powerful carrier fleet in history. Japan's situation on the other hand was precarious as she had only launched one new fleet carrier since the war had broken out, the Taiho, and even that ship wouldn't be ready to fight for another year. The US submarine war on the Hawaiian Islands was also cutting the vital supply of fuel needed to train the replacement pilots, all of whom were dangerously inexperienced. On top of that, the defeats the Germans had suffered in North Africa meant that the British could being attacking the Japanese empire from the west, while down in Australia the US Army Air Force was becoming an increasingly troublesome enemy. All in all, Japan's limited resources were being stretched thin by early 1943. The Japanese suffered another blow when the Zuikaku was damaged by a submarine attack as she was returning to join the fleet in Hawaii. This left the Japanese task force defending Hawaii with only two fleet carriers.

The Battle

The Battle Begins

The much-awaited battle finally came in April, when Japanese picket boats spotted the US fleet. The Japanese Task Force sailed from Pearl Harbor, minus Zuikaku which was still laid up in port, and headed for the biggest gap in their picket boat line. Although it was suggested by Saburo Shindo that the Japanese Strike Force detour in order to prevent the American pilots from following their path back to the Japanese fleet, the need to maintain radio silence prevented the two carriers from coordinating any such plan. Meanwhile the US fleet, aware that the element of surprise had gone, was quick to move into action, sending up their strike force and combat air patrol (CAP). American aircrews were now operating from better and more powerful carriers, and flying with the new Hellcat fighter and better torpedo planes like the TBF Avenger. Their pilots had been taught by veterans of the first battle and knew how to fight the dreaded Zero. The Japanese only had a experimental radar on Akagi, and while the Army had deployed the advanced Hien fighter, it wouldn't be able to take part in the battle.

The attack on the American fleet

As the Japanese strike force took off, they radioed the US fleet's position back to Hawaii, where their Mitsubishi G4M bombers were waiting. They took off to attack the US fleet from the south. The Japanese Strike Force consisted of 120 planes, only a third as many that had hit Hawaii at the start of the war. Although they spotted the US fleet first, the US strike force heading towards their own fleet also spotted them. The new Hellcat fighters pounced on the Japanese strike force, given Zero pilots a rude shock as they quickly found themselves outclassed for the first time in the war. The American fighters only distracted the Zeros as their main targets were the dive bombers and torpedo planes. After mauling the Japanese strike force, they abruptly left to protect their own bombers, leaving the remainder to the US fleet's CAP. Upon reaching the US fleet, the Japanese believed that the Americans still hadn't learnt their lesson from the year before, seeing that they still grouped their carriers together rather than spacing them out. This made them easier targets to hit, and they managed to sink a light carrier, damage an escort carrier and a fleet carrier; but the latter could still launch planes. By then the US Navy's CAP was taking a heavy toll on the Japanese aircraft, and they fled without assessing what damage they had done.

The defeat of the Japanese task force

Now armed with some devastating firepower, the US strike force that took off for the Japanese Fleet consisted of Hellcat fighters, Wildcat interceptors, Dauntless dive bombers, and Avenger torpedo bombers. On their way to the Japanese fleet, the US strike force ran into the Japanese aircraft coming the other way. The Hellcats engaged the attack planes, while the Wildcats kept watch over their own bombers. The Hellcats quickly shot down many planes, before withdrawing to protect their own strike force. They arrived at the Japanese fleet and quickly overwhelmed the Japanese own CAP. This gave the attack planes the opportunity to strike at the Japanese carriers with little interference. The Akagi was hit first with torpedoes and then with bombs, dooming the ship. Next, the Shokaku was hit with bombs, crippling her. Rear Admiral Tomeo Kaku accepted full responsibility for the defeat and went down with the Akagi. After the Shokaku was crippled, the US strike force spotted the incoming G4M bombers from Oahu; every single bomber was shot down by the Hellcats. Those attack planes still carrying bombs and torpedoes then dived on the Japanese cruisers and destroyers, sinking some and damaging many. Having won the battle, the US strike force headed back to their fleet. On the way, they again encountered their Japanese counterparts, and the Hellcats struck. What little remained of the Japanese strike force was obliterated; its commander Mitsuo Fuchida was shot down by Joe Crosetti, and all of the remaining dive bombers and torpedo planes perished with him. Only a handful of Zeros led by Saburo Shindo managed to escape to Oahu.

The Battle Ends.

Shokaku had been so badly damaged by the attack that she was beyond saving and had to be abandoned, so Japanese destroyers sank her with torpedoes. This left the Zuikaku as the only carrier in Hawaiian waters, but she was laid up in Pearl Harbor and unable to escape, let alone fight. With their air power effectively wiped out, the Japanese Navy had suffered its first devastating defeat in three and a half centuries, the last being at the hands of the Koreans back in the 16th century.

Aftermath.

With the battle over, Japanese naval power in the Eastern Pacific ceased to exist. This success led to the go-ahead for a massive bomber raid on the islands using B-17's and B-24's. The raid destroyed Zuikaku, the last Japanese fleet carrier in Hawaiian waters, and leaving Japan only half of her prewar fleet carrier force. Realizing that Hawaii was lost, the Japanese Naval High Command refused to send any more reinforcements to the island, considering it more wise to conserve what little strength they had left. While many in the Navy accepted this, the Army was less than enthusiastic, especially General Tomoyuki Yamashita, with whom the responsibility of Hawaii's defense now lay. Lieutenant Saburo Shindo understood the Navy's decision to abandon Hawaii, realizing that even if Japan had brought to bear all its carrier force against the US fleet, it still would have lost. Isoroku Yamamoto's dark prediction about US industrial might had finally come true. With acceptable losses, the US Fleet then moved on to its next phase: the liberation of Hawaii.

References