4 June 1942: one of the defining moments of the Pacific War when the tide turned against the Japanese aggressors at America’s Midway Islands. Lieutenant Richard H. Best and his two wingmen in their Douglas Dauntless SBD dive-bombers have just launched a successful attack on the Japanese flagship aircraft carrier Akagi. The crushing defeat inflicted on the Japanese Navy by the very much smaller United States Pacific Fleet at Midway, put an end to Japan’s ambition to dominate the central Pacific region, and removed the Japanese threat to Hawaii.
R.G. (Bob) Smith was an engineer first, but morphed into one of the premier artists of Naval Aviation. His bio, HERE, is worth a look.
I recommend this book: Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully. Having read many accounts of the battle, I found this one to be the very best.
This is one of those “finest hours” (or minutes) that create crucial changes. What a testament to those brave men who faced the Japanese fleet and won.
From what I’m aware of, we were either astronomically lucky, or the Hand of God was with us at Midway.
I don’t believe in luck.
The battle of Midway was important. But it didn’t win the war. The Ability of the United States to turn out 100 ships for every one the Japanese could build. To train 10000 pilots for every 100 the Japanese could train. To build 5000 aircraft for every ONE that Germany AND Japan could build, and the ability to manufacture the weapons, ammunition, fuel and everything else needed to fight five major wars AT THE SAME TIME. All the while arming and equipping every allied nation in whole or in part. That sir, was “the turning point”. And we did it all in less than thirty six months
Ray is correct.
Indeed, in the next series of naval battles which took place during the offensive at Guadalcanal, the US Navy didn’t do so well. Over the next few months we lost two carriers with a third damaged extensively. Did you know that at Guadalcanal, the Navy lost more men than the Marines? The waters around Savo Island became known as “Ironbottom Sound” because of all the ships lost in that area. Yet, we still prevailed.
..you are correct..Bath Iron Works in Maine built more destroyers than the entire Japanese Empire..in Washington, one of 55 escort carrier was being launched every week..submarines were being built in Michigan and seagoing tankers in Minnesota…and there were destroyer escorts being built in Denver Colorado…
I wonder if the U.S. could do that now?
If the need arose to defend our selves from out enemies.
In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success. Isoroku Yamamoto
Anyone who has seen the auto factories in Detroit and the oil fields in Texas knows that Japan lacks the national power for a naval race with America. Isoroku Yamamoto
I second LL’s referral of that fine treatise.
WRT Ray, While WWII can appropriately be described as a war of attrition, it was much more than that. I’ll just leave it there as to continue would be to cloud this posting of fine aviation art.
Heltau does present an important question. My answer is that while the USA continues to be very capable, the political climate of today would disallow use of that ability. We’d probably be blamed for it. *sigh*
I wonder the contemplation of the US admirals after this battle. I mean, did they think to retract their actions taken against W.L. Mitchell?
Wife and I went to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX yesterday.
For anyone interested in the war in the Pacific, this is a MUST.
All- Thanks for the comments, and agreed on the Nimitz Museum.
Posted from my iPhone.
I love the Aviation Art and related stories. Thnak-you