| By late May 1942, Eastern Island of the Midway Islands (foreground at left) was crowded with aircraft from the Navy, Army Air Force and Marines. Surrounding the islands were U.S. Navy warships, including 25 submarines, prepared to meet the Japanese attack. Some of the radio communications of the U.S. fleet had been detected by Japanese intelligence, but Admiral Yamamoto was not warned due to orders for radio silence. |  Click photo for larger view |
 Click photo for larger view |
On the morning of June 3, the crew of a U.S. Navy Catalina reconnaissance plane (left) found the Japanese fleet. Throughout the day, small numbers of U.S. aircraft spotted Japanese ships, but were not successful in any attacks on them. It was not until the next day that the Battle of Midway began in earnest. |
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than 100 Japanese aircraft began their attacks on Midway at 6:30 AM
on June 4. The strike did not succeed in disabling the airfield
or destroying many aircraft. The Japanese planes had been spotted
en route to Midway and defenders there
had put their own planes in the air and prepared themselves for the
attack. Click below to go to the next page (3) |
 Click photo for larger view |