For those interested, June 4-7th will be the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Probably one of the most significant battles of the Pacific, the victory provided the opportunity for America to go on the offensive and possibly prevented the defeat of our navy. So, keep in mind these upcoming days that 75 years ago our countrymen were fighting and dying to keep this country safe and prevent Japanese domination of the Pacific. We owe those men too much. Thanks!
Rough timeline of today's events. Copied from HERE. June 4, 6 a.m. + Japanese planes from the First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force under Vice Adm. Nagumo Chuichi bombed Midway’s installations. Defending U.S. Marine Corps fighters suffered heavy losses, but shot down significant numbers of key pilots. The Japanese strike leader called for a second strike. June 4, 7 a.m. + A succession of attacks, which were delivered in piecemeal fashion, from Midway-based U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army Air Forces planes that were scrambled an hour before to clear the field at the approach of the enemy, disrupted the Japanese carrier force’s cohesion. The presence of submarine Nautilus, the oldest and least maneuverable boat in the Pacific Fleet, further discomfited the enemy. June 4, 7 to 9 a.m. Strikes were launched from task forces 16 and 17. The Japanese, meanwhile, became aware of U.S. Navy carrier forces in the vicinity. June 4, 9:17 a.m. + Japanese carrier operations were disrupted by attacks in succession by Hornet’s torpedo planes, forcing the enemy to turn away from the wind, and then those from Enterprise. Yorktown’s air group arriveed soon thereafter, as did dive bombers from Enterprise that followed destroyer Arashi, which was detached earlier to destroy or drive off the persistent Nautilus, back to the carriers. June 4, 10:15 to 10:20 a.m. Yorktown’s torpedo planes attacked Hiryu. Dive bombers from the two carriers attack the other three, inflicting crippling damage on Kaga, Soryu and the flagship Akagi. Only Hiryu escaped destruction. Kaga and Soryu sank before the day was done; Akagi was scuttled the next morning. June 4, noon to 2:28 p.m. Hiryu planes carried out crippling strikes against Yorktown. First, dive bombers scored three direct hits, stopping her dead in the water and forcing Fletcher to transfer his flag to heavy cruiser Astoria and turn over tactical command to Spruance. After dogged damage control efforts enabled Yorktown to get underway again, torpedo planes scored two hits that forced her abandonment. The burning Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu is pictured by a plane from the carrier Hosho shortly after sunrise, June 5, 1942. Hiryu sank a few hours later. June 4, 4:58 p.m. Dive bombers from Enterprise, which included those orphaned by the damage to Yorktown, crippled Hiryu, which was scuttled the next morning.
thank you I am always aware of the date, but June 6 seems to be the one most people remember. In my opinion our greatest naval victory. kas
