Squadron, based at Midway

In June 1942 there was a major naval battle of World War II in the Pacific, which is called - the battle of Midway. The turning point in the war in the Pacific was the decisive victory of the US Navy on the Japanese Combined Fleet.




Dandy:



This photo Squadron SBD «Hope and Fear" in flight. SBD Dauntless - American carrier-based dive bomber - reconnaissance. It is considered the most successful deck dive bomber in the US Navy during World War II.



It is these planes attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier group Midway deal damage from which the Imperial fleet and could not recover.



There is no consensus about the reasons that prompted the Japanese attacked Midway. It is considered that the part of the Japanese fleet objective of the operation, which included a diversionary attack on the Aleutian Islands, was to destroy US aircraft carriers and the final neutralization of the US Pacific Fleet.



The operation also served as preparation for the further advance of the islands of Fiji and Samoa, as well as for a possible invasion to Hawaii.



Without risking to make another attack on the main base of the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese High Command decided to attack the base at Midway, and then destroy enemy aircraft carriers in case the last to come to the rescue of the garrison. As in the case of the attack on Pearl Harbor, was bet on the surprise attack.



But on account of the Japanese surprise was not justified. In May 1942 a group of Pacific Fleet opened decipherers Japanese naval code JN-25 and found out the exact location of the impact of the Japanese and the composition of the attacking forces.



Now, suddenly found themselves on the side of the United States, although the Japanese forces had a significant numerical superiority.



The results were so. Japanese losses were 4 heavy aircraft carrier, 1 heavy cruiser, 248 aircraft and about 2 500 people, among whom were the most experienced pilots of the Japanese carrier-based aircraft.



US losses were significantly less than 1 heavy aircraft carrier, one destroyer, 150 planes, 307 people.



After the battle of Midway Japan forever lost the initiative and was forced to go on the defensive.



In all there were 5,936 aircraft «Dauntless» all options.









Source: korsar-vlad.livejournal.com