Battle of Midway

There is a weapon that can strike many hundreds of miles from its launching point. It has devastating accuracy, with an error margin for stationary targets measured in tens of feet. It was this weapon-- plentiful, cheap, and reliable-- that may have brought about a new epoch of naval warfare. Surely the weapon of reference is the cruise missile-- precise, long ranged, and paradigm shifting in naval combat. However, while all those statements do apply to the cruise missile, they also apply to…

Intelligence. Communication Intelligence (COMINT) was the most common source of intelligence used in the Battle of Midway. Morse code was the primary transmittance of intelligence for both sides (A&E Networks, 2014). Neither side had an advantage in the equipment, but the US Commanders trusted the intelligence more. The US utilized decrypted Japanese radio intercepts to gain the advantage during the battle (A&E Networks, 2014). US Navy cryptanalysts had begun breaking Japanese communication…

September 1st, 1939, to September 2nd, 1945, there were some of the bloodiest and most brutal battles in history. This global conflict began with the invasion of Poland by Germany and declarations of war by Britain and France against Germany. The axis powers consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan who fought the allies, the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France. Throughout the battles, territories, minorities, and millions of others suffered extreme losses over the course of…

The battle of Midway represents an important naval battle involving the United States and Japan throughout World War II. The Japanese struck the United States military base in Pearl Harbor, prompting the US to immediately take action. The United States began the very first naval action within the Midway Islands in defense of its Pacific fleet. Midway served as the Japanese's final target during their western push throughout the Pacific region. On June 4, 1942, shortly after midnight, the United…

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY: THE PLANNING FOR MODERN WARFARE. Liam Walmsley History 370W ADE-American Military History Professor Robert Streit April 17, 2024 Introduction The Battle of Midway is regarded as one of the most significant naval conflicts in World War II, fought between the United States and Japan from June 4-7, 1942. The stakes were high, as Japan intended to take over Midway Atoll and establish a strategic foothold in the Pacific. However, the U.S. Navy intercepted…

through the Canal Zone and no one was sure the Hornet would make it through, but she did. The original plan was to send two transport ships escorted by the USS Iowa. Admiral Meyer had a change of heart when he was told the USS Midway was back on line and ready for duty. The Midway could take over patrolling the West Coast and if there were any bugs to be worked out of her she was still close to home. It was full speed ahead once everyone was through the canal. The two SEAL teams were…

On 1 April, the JCS approved operation SANDCRAB. After obtaining the needed shipping, work began to recapture the Attu and further on the Kiska. An imposing armada pulled together to support the invasion. The attack force consisted of three battleships, a small aircraft carrier, and seven destroyers for escorting and providing supporting fire for the Army landing force, there were two covering groups, composed of several cruisers, destroyers. Submarines were positioned, for early detection of a…

Another important cause for the disastrous attack on Pearl by the Japanese was that President Roosevelt furthered its “Moral Embargo” by expanding its restrictions to oil and scrap metal to stop Japan from expanding. At the beginning of 1900’s Japan was falling apart as they were running out of raw materials and oil. Japan decided that to survive they had to expand within Asia to get more materials so they invaded French Indochina in 1940 to embargo all imports to China which included war…

Iwo Jima is an island in the Pacific, approximately 650 miles from Tokyo that really did not have significant amount of natural resources. It was a rocky island with a volcano; however, it did serve as a vital platform for the Japanese fighters to launch attacks against American bombers. The island also held tactical importance to American forces. The island would serve as a landing strip for fighter escorts and as an airstrip used to repair damaged aircraft. The Marines conducted an…

"Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan" (). These are the words the 32nd President of the United States begin his Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation on December 8th, 1941. FDR's speech was a call to action, and in his speech, he expressed outstanding distaste towards Japan. The speech was directed to Congress for them to declare war against Japan which…