Pearl Harbor
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On December 7th 1941, just 6 months before the battle of midway, America was attacked by Japan. Japan's goal was to eliminate the American battle ship force. Hawaii was easily reachable by aircraft carrier, so Japan secretly sent one across the pacific. The assault began just before 8 o'clock, when it was over 5 out of the 8 battle ships positioned there were sinking or had been sunk. The rest were heavily damaged, there was 2,400 Americans dead after the assault. Americans were enraged by the attack and the next day America declared war on the axis power, beggining its fight in the second world war.
The Doolittle Raid
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A B-25 bomber leaving the Hornet for Japan.
The doolittle raid April 18th, 1942, was an attack on the Japanese homeland launched by the carrier Hornet and commanded by colonel James H. Doolittle. It was the first time ever that twin engine army bombers were used on a aircraft carrier. Special modifications were made to the carrier and airplanes plusthe crew had to go through specialized training. Most of the planes hit Tokyo and Nagoya. The attack boosted American morale and left Japanese high command highly embarrased.
The Battle of Coral Sea
The Battle of Coral Sea, May 7-8 1942, was a result of Japanese Naval forces making an attempt to take Port Moresby, New Guinea. A Japanese base there would've threatened Austrailia and increased Japans power. American forces were tipped off by superior communications. Countered the fleet with 2 carriers, some cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and land-based bombers. This battle was considered an American victory because we successfully stopped the Japanese fleet, but American took more causualties than Japan.
Planning for Battle
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The positioning of Japanese and American fleets
The battle was resulted when admiral Irosoku Yamamoto decided to send his gigantic fleet to the island of Midway and Alaska. Yamamoto's plan was to distract U.S. forces by sending a
fleet to the Alutian islands in Alaska. Then he would draw out American carriers by attacking Midway and then crush them with all his fleet. The Americans had intercepted the Japanese message that Midway would soon be attacked. Admiral Nimitz had Midway prepare for the up and coming battle and sent the Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet north east of Midway to prepare a suprise attack on the Japanese.
fleet to the Alutian islands in Alaska. Then he would draw out American carriers by attacking Midway and then crush them with all his fleet. The Americans had intercepted the Japanese message that Midway would soon be attacked. Admiral Nimitz had Midway prepare for the up and coming battle and sent the Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet north east of Midway to prepare a suprise attack on the Japanese.