Ancient history

Midway, at the crossroads

Strategic position of primary importance in the center of the Pacific, Midway constituted, at the same time as the western Aleutians, the privileged target of the Japanese who, at the beginning of June 1942, sent there an armada of 8 aircraft carriers, 11 battleships, 13 heavy cruisers and 11 light cruisers, 60 destroyers and numerous troop transports and supply ships. The aerial umbrella of this imposing gathering was provided by almost 400 aircraft, which promised a tough battle. Alerted to the enemy attempt, the Americans, led by Admiral Nimitz, dispatched Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet to the area. For their part, the defense forces of Midway had 120 aircraft, including 7 Wildcats from VMF-221, 6 Avengers, 18 Flying Fortresses and 18 Dauntless, and the naval air force included 230 aircraft, including 25 F4F-4s from VF-3 commanded by the Lieutenant-Commander John Thach (on the Yorktown) as well as the VF-6 and VF-8 each equipped with 27 Wildcats on board the Enterprise and the Homet respectively.

At dawn on June 4, 1942, the Japanese launched their first wave on Midway. This one was however detected by radar and collided with the F2A-3 Buffalo and the F4F-4 of the Marines which suffered heavy losses (thirteen F2A and two F4F). Despite this ominous prologue, the United States Naval Air Force brought out offensive patrols and Thach, implementing a tactic that came to be known as. of "Thach Weave", single-handedly went down three Zeros. The American officer's method was to fly two Wildcats on intersecting trajectories in order to provide each aircraft with rear cover. This process gave the F4F a tactical superiority over the Zero and, thanks to it, Thach was soon to acquire the title of ace. Midway was the greatest naval battle of the Second World War and was a resounding success for American carrier aviation. In fact, this confrontation marked a momentous turning point in the Pacific War.


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