World War II: Battle of Midway - Turning Point in the Pacific

[Penguin]

These Type 96 25-millimetre (0.98 in) guns had an effective range of 1,500–3,000 metres (1,600–3,300 yd), and an effective ceiling of 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) at an elevation of +85 degrees. The maximum effective rate of fire was only between 110 and 120 rounds per minute because of the frequent need to change the fifteen-round magazines. While this was the standard Japanese light AA gun during World War II; it suffered from severe design shortcomings that rendered it a largely ineffective weapon. According to historian Mark Stille, the twin and triple mounts "lacked sufficient speed in train or elevation; the gun sights were unable to handle fast targets; the gun exhibited excessive vibration; the magazine was too small, and ... the gun produced excessive muzzle blast".

 

[Aepsilons]

These Type 96 25-millimetre (0.98 in) guns had an effective range of 1,500–3,000 metres (1,600–3,300 yd), and an effective ceiling of 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) at an elevation of +85 degrees. The maximum effective rate of fire was only between 110 and 120 rounds per minute because of the frequent need to change the fifteen-round magazines. While this was the standard Japanese light AA gun during World War II; it suffered from severe design shortcomings that rendered it a largely ineffective weapon. According to historian Mark Stille, the twin and triple mounts "lacked sufficient speed in train or elevation; the gun sights were unable to handle fast targets; the gun exhibited excessive vibration; the magazine was too small, and ... the gun produced excessive muzzle blast".

The Battle in Operation Ten Go was a one sided pitched battle. The Americans had overwhelming numerical advantage.

Operation Ten-Go - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

US Navy fielded 11 carriers, 30 destroyers, 6 battleships, 11 cruisers and over 386 aircraft.

The Imperial Navy was able to send a token force; only 1 battleship, 1 light cruiser, and 8 destroyers.

There was no way Admiral Ito's force was expected to survive.

 

[Penguin]

The Battle in Operation Ten Go was a one sided pitched battle.

Of course it was. That's how you win.

 

[Aepsilons]

Of course it was. That's how you win.

Of course. However, i am merely stating that your reference to the abilities of IJN's AA guns being incapable was not a major factor to the sinking of the Yamato, more so the shear overwhelming position the Yamato and her gun crews were placed in. Imagine, over 100 aircraft attacking the Yamato, while at the same time being attacked by destroyers and subs simultaneously.

Yamato had impressive offensive and defensive capabilities, but the threshold was breached due to overwhelming American offensive attack.

That should be considered in the overall comprehensive analysis.

In other words: Overkill scenario.

 

[shuntmaster]

US Navy SBD dive bombers at the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942.
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Battle of Midway - Summary:

In May 1942, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto sought to draw the US Pacific Fleet into a battle where he could overwhelm and destroy it. To accomplish this he planned an invasion of Midway Island which would provide a base for attacking Hawaii. Using decrypted Japanese radio intercepts, Admiral Chester Nimitz was able to counter this offensive. On June 4, 1942, US aircraft flying from USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, and USS Yorktownattacked and sunk four Japanese carriers, forcing Yamamoto to withdrawal. The Battle of Midway marked the turning point of World War II in the Pacific.
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Commanders at the Battle of Midway:

US Navy

• 
  Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet
• 
  Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, Task Force 17 (senior tactical commander)
• Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance, Task Force 16

Imperial Japanese Navy

• 
  Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief, Combined Fleet
• 
  Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, First Air Fleet

United.States .. . . . .

Japan
View attachment 196219

Dates:
The Battle of Midway was predominantly fought on June 4, 1942, though operations did continue until June 7.

Battle of Midway - Yamamoto's Plan -- Operation MI

Following the stategic defeat at the Battle of Coral Sea (May 4-8), the commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, devised a plan to draw the remaining ships of the US Pacific Fleet into a battle where they could be destroyed. To accomplish this, he planned to invade the island of Midway, 1,300 miles northwest of Hawaii. A key to Pearl Harbor's defense, Yamamoto knew the Americans would send their remaining aircraft carriers to protect the island. Believing the US to only have two carriers operational, he sailed with four, plus a large fleet of battleships and cruisers.

Battke of Midway - Nimitz's Response:

At Pearl Harbor, Admiral Chester Nimitz was made aware of the impending attack by his team of cryptanalysts led by Lt. Commander Joseph Rochefort. Having successfully broken the Japanese JN-25 naval code, Rochefort was able to provide an outline of the Japanese plan of attack as well as the forces involved. To meet this threat, Nimitz dispatched Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance with the carriers USS Enterprise and USS Hornet to Midway hoping to surprise the Japanese. The carrier USS Yorktown, with Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, followed two days later after damage received at Coral Sea was hastily repaired.

Battle of Midway - Attack on Midway:

At 04:30 on June 4, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, commanding the Japanese carriers, launched 108 planes to attack Midway Island, as well as seven scout planes to locate the American fleet. Brushing aside the island's small force of fighters, the Japanese planes pounded Midway's installations. While returning to the carriers, the strike leaders recommended a second attack. In reponse, Nagumo ordered his reserve aircraft, which had been armed with torpedoes, to be rearmed with bombs. After this process had commenced, a scout plane from the cruiser Tone reported locating the American fleet.

Battle of Midway - The Americans Arrive:

Upon receiving this news, Nagumo reversed his rearmament order. As a result, the hangar decks of the Japanese carriers were full of bombs, torpedoes, and fuel lines as ground crews scrambled to reequip the aircraft. As Nagumo vacillated, the first of Fletcher's planes arrived over the Japanese fleet. Armed with sighting reports from scout planes, Fletcher had begun launching his aircraft at 07:00. The first squadrons to arrive were the TBD Devastator torpedo bombers from Hornet (VT-8) and Enterprise (VT-6). Attacking at low level, they failed to score a hit and suffered heavy casualties.

Devastators of VT-6 aboard USS Enterprise being prepared for take off during the battle.

Battle of Midway - Dive Bombers Strike the Japanese:

Though VT-8 and VT-6 did not do any damage, their attack, coupled with the late arrival of VT-3, pulled the Japanese combat air patrol out of position, leaving the fleet vulnerable. At 10:22, American SBD Dauntless dive bombers approaching from the southwest and northeast struck the carriers Kaga, Soryu, and Akagi. In less than six minutes they reduced the Japanese ships to burning wrecks. In reponse, the remaining Japanese carrier, Hiryu, launched a counterstrike. Arriving in two waves, its planes twice disabledYorktown. Later that afternoon, American dive bombers located Hiryu and sank it, completing the victory.

Battle of Midway - Aftermath:

On the night of June 4th, both sides retired to plan their next move. By 02:55, Yamamoto ordered his fleet to return to base. In the following days, American aircraft sunk the cruiserMikuma, while the Japanese submarine I-168 torpedoed and sank the disabled Yorktown. The defeat at Midway broke the back of the Japanese carrier fleet and resulted in the loss of invaluable air crews. It also marked the end of major Japanese offensive operations as the initiative passed to the Americans. That August, US Marines landed on Guadalcanaland began the long march to Tokyo.

Battle of Midway - Casualties:

US Pacific Fleet Losses

• 340 killed
• Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown
• Destroyer USS Hammann
• 145 aircraft

Imperial Japanese Navy Losses

• 3,057 killed
• Aircraft Carrier Akagi
• Aircraft Carrier Kaga
• Aircraft Carrier Soryu
• Aircraft Carrier Hiryu
• Heavy Cruiser Mikuma
• 228 aircraft

@levina @C130 @gambit @LeveragedBuyout @DESERT FIGHTER @boomslang

Midway was really the turning point in the battle of pacific. Japan had all the numerical advantage prior to this battle, but US had the tactical advantage due to superior intelligence.
The biggest loss to IJN in midway was loss of 100's of their most experienced and trained naval pilots. IJN was never able to recover from this loss, which lead to a bigger loss in the Marianas Turkey shoot.

 

[Penguin]

Of course. However, i am merely stating that your reference to the abilities of IJN's AA guns being incapable was not a major factor to the sinking of the Yamato, more so the shear overwhelming position the Yamato and her gun crews were placed in. Imagine, over 100 aircraft attacking the Yamato, while at the same time being attacked by destroyers and subs simultaneously.

Yamato had impressive offensive and defensive capabilities, but the threshold was breached due to overwhelming American offensive attack.

That should be considered in the overall comprehensive analysis.

In other words: Overkill scenario.

She was sunk by aircraft alone.

 

[Aepsilons]

She was sunk by aircraft alone.

Task Group 58.1 and 58.3 launched their air attacks on the Yamato, but Admiral Spruance assembled a force of 6 battleships, 7 cruisers and some 21 destroyers to take on the Yamato Force. Not to mention the USN had deployed subs around the area.

There are conflicting claims and Japanese sources take note of subs activity. The American account denies this, of course.

 

[Penguin]

Task Group 58.1 and 58.3 launched their air attacks on the Yamato, but Admiral Spruance assembled a force of 6 battleships, 7 cruisers and some 21 destroyers to take on the Yamato Force. Not to mention the USN had deployed subs around the area.

There are conflicting claims and Japanese sources take note of subs activity. The American account denies this, of course.

Around 10:00 on 7 April, Task Groups 58.1 and 58.3 (TG 58.1 and 58.3) began launching almost 400 aircraft in several waves from eight carriers (TG 58.1: USS Hornet, USS Bennington (CV-20), Belleau Wood, San Jacinto; TG 58.3 USS Essex, Bunker Hill, Hancock and Bataan) that were located just east of Okinawa. The aircraft consisted of F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, and TBF Avenger torpedo bombers.

After being informed of Mitscher's launches, Spruance agreed that the airstrikes could go ahead as planned. As a contingency, Spruance ordered Admiral Deyo to assemble a force of six battleships (USS Massachusetts, Indiana, New Jersey, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri), together with seven cruisers (including the battlecruisers USS Alaska and Guam) and 21 destroyers, and to prepare for a surface engagement with Yamato should the airstrikes prove unsuccessful

Air strike only, no surface action.

 

[Brutas]

Biggest American advantage was it's codebreakers had broken Japan's communication code and knew details of the attack. The trap was set for perfect amubush.

 

[Penguin]

Task Group 58.1 and 58.3 launched their air attacks on the Yamato, but Admiral Spruance assembled a force of 6 battleships, 7 cruisers and some 21 destroyers to take on the Yamato Force. Not to mention the USN had deployed subs around the area.

There are conflicting claims and Japanese sources take note of subs activity. The American account denies this, of course.

The task force was spotted south of Kyushu [300 miles from Okinawa} by US submarines and aircraft, and on 7 April 1945 she was sunk by American carrier-based bombers and torpedo bombers with the loss of most of her crew.

The subs spotted the Japanese TF by radar in Bungo Strait. IMHO, there is no way the subs that spotted the Japanese TF could have kept up with it to the area of the battle..

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

MarineCorps Reserve Pvt. Wilson D. Watson, Medal of Honor.