Battle of Midway, June 4-7 1942

6-4-2008 | eekitsagreek

[Londo Molari]

“The film ‘Midway’ starring Charlton Heston is a must-see.”

Two things about that film bug the heck out of me. First — the love story. Come on, does any man like that crap in a war movie? Ugh.

Second — the stock footage of the aircraft show Hellcats, Avengers, Helldivers — all of those were not in use in June 1942.

I always loved reading about what was done by the heroes of Midway, ever since I was a little kid. Those sailors and aviators were brave men and we all owe them.

[magslinger]

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[Cheburashka]

Two things about that film bug the heck out of me. First — the love story. Come on, does any man like that crap in a war movie? Ugh.

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The ladies' money is just as green, and the producers will alway try to pull anyone they can into the movie. Deal with it.

[LS]

Just finished writing a novel about Midway, a counter-factual where the Japanese win and Halsey (not Spruance) barely escapes with a single carrier. Then the real action begins!

Still trying to sell it to a publisher. If I don't get a bite soon, I'll self publish under the title, "Halsey's Bluff."

[Dilbert56]

Oldie but goodie

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If Midway had been reported by today's media.

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Midway Island Demolished. Yorktown, destroyer sunk.

Many US planes lost

June 7, 1942

The United States Navy suffered another blow in its attempt to stem the Japanese juggernaut ravaging the Pacific Ocean. Midway Island, perhaps the most vital U.S. outpost, was pummeled by Japanese Naval aviators. The defending U.S. forces, consisting primarily of antique Buffalo fighters, were competely wiped out while the Japanese attackers suffered few, if any, losses.

In a nearby naval confrontation, the Japanese successfully attacked the Yorktown which was later sunk by a Japanese submarine. A destroyer lashed to the Yorktown was also sunk.

American forces claim to have sunk four Japanese carriers and the cruiser Mikuma but those claims were vehemently denied by the Emporer's spokeman.

The American carriers lost an entire squadron of torpedo planes when they failed to link up with fighter escorts. The dive bombers had fighter escort even though they weren't engaged by enemy fighters. The War Dept. refused to answer when asked why the fighters were assigned to the wrong attack groups. The Hornet lost a large number of planes when they couldn't locate the enemy task force. Despite this cavalcade of errors, Admirals Fletcher and Spruance have not been removed.

Code Broken

The failure at Midway is even more disheartening because the U.S. Navy knew the Japanese were coming. Secret documents provided to the NY Times showed that "Magic" intercepts showed the Japanese planned to attack Midway, which they called "AF".

Obsolete Equipment

Some critics blamed the failure at Midway on the use of obsolete aircraft. The inappropriately named Devastator torpedo planes proved no match for the Japanese fighters. Even the Avengers, its schedule replacements, were riddled with bullets and rendered unflyable. Secretary of War Stimson dodged the question saying simply: "You go to war with the Navy you have, not the Navy you want or would like to have". Critics immediately called for his resignation.

[353FMG]

Yep, you’re so right.

[Antoninus]

If Midway had been reported by today's media.

This is so right on target.

[eekitsagreek]

Shattered sword is awesome book on the battle of midway.

Hey there SWB! Glad to see you here. You are right, "Shattered Sword" is a great book. Another recent book on Midway that I recommend is "Midway Inquest". There is also another recent book that I have yet to read called "Midway, Dauntless Victory: Fresh Perspectives on America's Seminal Naval Victory of World War II". I have heard good reviews on this book.

Other titles:
"That Gallant Ship: USS Yorktown"
"A Glorious Page in our History"

Hey SWB, I won't be able to participate in a TSN thread the next few days, so please pass along my regards to TSN Queen for me please. Thanks!

Well...the Red Wings are chumps...er, champs once again. Oh well...their run is now over. It's time for the Hawks to dominate!! Take care my friend and I will chat with you soon again.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Two things about that film bug the heck out of me. First — the love story. Come on, does any man like that crap in a war movie? Ugh.

Second — the stock footage of the aircraft show Hellcats, Avengers, Helldivers — all of those were not in use in June 1942.

Third - the battle scenes use stock overhead shots of 1950s-era angle-decked American carriers, which are supposed to be the straight-decked Japanese carriers. Technically, the picture is a complete mess.

A modern remake of "Midway" would be nice - if it could ever be done without re-inserting your first objection. ;)

[RightWhale]

The first turning point and a lot sooner than anybody thought. Stalingrad was the other main turning point.

[eekitsagreek]

From a Torpedo 8 website

Here is a photo of Torpedo 8 commander LCDR John Waldron as his TBD Devastator takes off from the Hornet and toward his fateful destiny with the Kido Butai at Midway.

[eekitsagreek]

From the same website, here is a very rare photo that shows all 15 of Torpedo 8's TBDs forming up as they fly towards the Japanese carriers.

[Little Ray]

The first A6M Zero prototype went to the airfield in a ox cart. They didn’t use a truck ‘cause the roads were so bad that the aircraft carried that way were damaged; they didn’t use a railroad because there wasn’t one between factory and the airfield.

In the US, we would have called that a “clue.”

[eekitsagreek]

Here is the Midway battle film footage that was shot by famed director John Ford. Ford was with a few Marines during the attack and was injured when a bomb exploded not too far from his position. Henry Fonda narrated the film.

[eekitsagreek]

Yorktown under torpedo attack at Midway.

[eekitsagreek]

Yorktown on fire after the first attack.

Yorktown taking a torpedo hit in the second attack.

[faulknor]

http://www.dive-bombers.co.uk/MidwayVictory.htm

Might this help?

[Valin]

BUMP!