145a - Midway, pt.1 - Clash of the Titans - June 5, 1942

June 5, 1942

We've seen naval battles in the Pacific this year- in the South Java Sea and the Coral

Sea, for example- but right now is the mother of them all.

Right now Japan has sent out dozens and dozens of warships across the Pacific to bring battle

to the American fleet, and the Americans do not disappoint.

Right now is the Battle of Midway.

I'm Indy Neidell; this is an extra regular episode of World War Two that focuses on the

action this week in the Pacific Ocean.

At noon on June 2nd, the full might of the Japanese Combined Fleet turns south-southeast

and begins its final approach towards Midway Atoll.

At the forefront, emerging from heavy fog, is Kido Butai, the First Air Fleet, under

Chuichi Nagumo's command.

The four heavy aircraft carriers of Carrier Divisions 1 and 2: Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and

Soryu move at its center, guarded by two fast battleships, two heavy cruisers, and a flotilla

of light cruisers and destroyers.

So far "Operation MI" remains on schedule.

By the morning of June 4th, Kido Butai will be in position to strike Midway Atoll.

According to the plan devised by Combined Fleet Commander Isoroku Yamamoto, her bombers

and fighters will pounce on the Americans, destroying their airpower on the ground as

well as their anti-aircraft batteries in a surprise attack.

Two days later, the beaches of Kure, Sand Island, and Eastern Island are to be taken

by storm by the Japanese Naval Infantry of the Main Invasion Force under Raizo Tanaka,

followed by thousands of construction workers, to be given a day to repair the airfields

and turn the defenses of Midway around against the Americans.

Takeo Kurita's Close Support Group, built around four heavy cruisers, will bombard the

coast with Nobutake Kondo's force in support, but Kondo's two battleships, four heavy cruisers,

seven destroyers, and the light carrier Zuiho have another task first- they are bait.

See, the Japanese in general think the Americans are weak and thus hesitant to fight, and if

they were aware of the massive armada heading towards them they would stay within the safety

of Pearl Harbor instead of offering battle, but battle is what Yamamoto wants, hence bait.

Midway is well within striking range of Pearl Harbor, and it is expected that the US battle

fleet will head out immediately to counter the landings.

However, Yamamoto's main force of massive battleships and heavy cruisers will not enter

scouting range of Midway, and will instead lie in ambush around 500km to the west, until

the US Navy appears comes out to play.

After submarines and aircraft from the restored Midway airfields weaken the clueless American

fleet, the trap is to be sprung.

They will destroy America's Pacific naval power in a devastating pincer attack between

Kido-Butai and the Main Battle Fleet.