The day Japan tried to trap the US fleet at Midway and got obliterated in five minutes

The Battle of Midway

Four Japanese carriers attacked Midway Island on June 4, 1942.

This small Pacific atoll was a key American base northwest of Hawaii. Admiral Yamamoto led Japan’s fleet of carriers, battleships, cruisers, and support ships. He planned to crush American naval power in the Pacific.

American code-breakers figured out Japan’s plans ahead of time. This let Admiral Nimitz place the carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown northeast of Midway, ready to ambush the Japanese fleet.

American Torpedo Bombers Sacrifice Themselves

Forty-one American torpedo bombers attacked the Japanese carriers between 9:20 and 10:20 AM. These slow TBD Devastators had to fly straight and level to drop their weapons.

Japanese Zeros shot down most of them. Only 6 planes made it back to their carriers. Not a single torpedo hit any Japanese ship. Just one pilot, Ensign George Gay, survived from Torpedo Squadron 8.

These brave attacks pulled Japanese fighters down to low altitude, leaving the skies above their carriers unguarded.

Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky’s Crucial Decision

Wade McClusky led 32 dive-bombers to where they thought the Japanese fleet would be. At 9:20 AM, they found nothing but empty ocean. The Japanese had changed course to attack American carriers.

McClusky faced a tough choice as fuel ran low. He spotted destroyer Arashi racing to rejoin the main fleet. Despite fuel worries, McClusky chose to follow this ship northwest. This decision put his pilots in perfect position to strike the Japanese carriers when they were most vulnerable.

The Dauntless Dive-Bombers Arrive

Thirty-two SBD Dauntless dive-bombers from Enterprise found the Japanese fleet at 10:00 AM. These planes came from two squadrons: Bombing Six and Scouting Six. Many planes were nearly out of fuel after searching so long.

Pilots knew they might not make it back to their carrier. Japanese fighters were still busy chasing torpedo bombers at low altitude. The highly skilled Zero pilots needed time to climb back up to protect their ships.

This left Japanese carriers wide open to attack from above.

10:22 AM: The Dive Begins

McClusky started the attack at 10:22 AM. Dive-bombers pointed their noses down and plunged toward the Japanese carriers. The planes dropped from 20,000 feet at 450 feet per second. Pilots aimed through their gunsights as they raced toward their targets.

Below, Japanese carriers buzzed with activity. Their decks were packed with fueled and armed planes ready for their own attack. This timing was the worst possible for the Japanese carriers, now filled with explosive fuel and bombs.

Communication Confusion Leads To Concentrated Attack

Both Enterprise squadrons aimed for carrier Kaga instead of hitting different targets. Normal practice was to attack multiple carriers at once. Lieutenant Richard Best, leading Bombing Squadron Six, saw the mistake during his dive.

Radio messages failed in the chaos. Best pulled out with his two wingmen to attack carrier Akagi instead. His quick thinking meant more Japanese carriers would be hit. What could have been a mistake turned into a perfect attack as American bombs fell on multiple targets.

Lieutenant Best’s Decisive Strike On Akagi

Best and his two wingmen attacked Akagi alone. Just three planes against Japan’s flagship carrier. Best dropped a 1,000-pound bomb that hit Akagi in the middle of its flight deck. The bomb blew up among fueled and armed planes below.

This hit crippled Admiral Nagumo’s flagship. More explosions followed as fuel caught fire and bombs cooked off. Fires spread out of control through Akagi. The crew had to abandon ship, and Nagumo moved to cruiser Nagara.

McClusky’s Squadrons Destroy Kaga

Enterprise dive-bombers scored at least four direct hits on Kaga. Their bombs crashed through the wooden flight deck and exploded among the planes below. One bomb hit near the bridge, killing Captain Okada and most officers.

The ship’s chain of command fell apart as fires spread. McClusky took a bullet in his shoulder from Zeros during his escape. His gunner shot down one pursuing fighter. In minutes, Kaga changed from attack ship to burning wreck as fuel and weapons exploded.

Yorktown’s Bombers Find Soryu

Seventeen dive-bombers from USS Yorktown attacked at the same time as Enterprise’s strike. Yorktown’s Bombing Squadron 3 flew under Maxwell Leslie. These bombers targeted carrier Soryu without planning it with the Enterprise groups.

This lucky timing made the attack even stronger. They scored three direct hits on Soryu. Fires raced through the ship as explosions tore it apart. Japanese sailors fought the fires but couldn’t stop the inferno fed by aviation fuel and bombs.

Three Japanese Carriers In Flames

In just five minutes, three Japanese carriers burned out of control. This brief span from 10:22 to 10:27 AM changed the entire Pacific War. All three carriers—Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu—were abandoned and later sank.

Japan lost hundreds of skilled pilots and mechanics who couldn’t be replaced. Only carrier Hiryu escaped and launched strikes against USS Yorktown. These attacks damaged Yorktown but led Americans back to Hiryu.

Japan lost its edge in naval air power, forcing it to switch from attack to defense.aka

Best Returns For Hiryu

That afternoon, Lieutenant Best led the remaining planes from his squadron against Hiryu. He flew despite coughing blood from damaged lungs. Best scored another direct hit on Hiryu. His accurate bombing helped disable the last working Japanese carrier.

Best became the first pilot to successfully bomb two Japanese carriers in one day. This amazing feat came at a cost—a faulty oxygen system triggered TB that ended his flying career. His precise bombing helped secure America’s greatest naval victory.

Visiting USS Midway Museum, San Diego

The USS Midway Museum welcomes visitors at 910 N. Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego. This aircraft carrier fought in the Vietnam War and Desert Storm before becoming a museum in 2004.

Explore over 60 exhibits and 30 restored aircraft across the flight deck, hangar deck, and below decks. Try the flight simulators or listen to former Midway sailors share their stories through the free audio tour.

The museum opens daily from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm. Adults pay $26 while kids 6-12 cost $18. Military and seniors get discounts. Children under 5 enter free. Plan three hours to see everything.

The Battle of Midway Theater shows a short film about the famous 1942 battle that gave this ship its name.

Read more from this brand:

• The USS Midway pilots who made history with America’s first MiG kills over Vietnam
• How the USS Midway helped excute one of the deepest rescue missions in North Vietnam
• This Cold War incident left one US Navy vessel permanently trapped in North Korea