operated by the army, a Marine squadron of dive bombers, and
some torpedo bombers.x When an aircraft carrier is defending itself against aerial attacks,
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these intercept the incoming bombers and shoot them down
before they can get into range to release their weapons. In combat
situations, it was standard procedure among both the Japanese and
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Air Patrol (CAP), perpetually circling over their carriers. On the
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carriers; the CAP shot down 18 of 37, with most of the rest being
forced to release their weapons prematurely. Then, a group of 14
B-17s made a high-altitude run, dropping their bombs from where
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any Japanese ship.
x Yamamoto had ordered Nagumo to keep half his planes in reserve,
loaded with anti-ship weapons, in case the U.S. carriers appeared.
Now, Nagumo disobeyed this command and ordered these planes
rearmed with bombs to launch a second strike on Midway. Just at
this moment, the delayed Number 4 radioed in that it had sighted
the American ships.
x Meanwhile, Fletcher had decided to follow the planes that were
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planes to the battle.
x 7KH¿UVWJURXSVRISODQHVIURPWKHHornet and Enterprise arrived
over Nagumo’s ships and launched their attacks against the three
carriers they could see. Arriving in uncoordinated bunches, the dive
bombers and torpedo planes made brave attacks but fell in great
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