Lecture 34: 1942 Midway—Four Minutes Change Everything
Nearly 100 American bombers assaulted Nagumo’s ships, and still
not one hit had been scored.x But all of these torpedo plane attacks had pulled the protective
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several more squadrons of planes from the Yorktown and Enterprise
arrived, the dive bombers were able to attack without interference.
In four minutes, three of Japan’s front-line carriers had been
mortally wounded.x 7KH¿QDO-DSDQHVHFDUULHUHiryu, now launched its planes. Although
only a relatively small force, the veteran pilots pressed their attack
against the Yorktown with determination. Of seven dive bombers,
three scored direct hits and two others dropped their bombs close
enough to cause damage. The last act of the battle came in the late
afternoon, when the Americans sent their remaining planes against
the HiryuDQGVHWLWD¿UHZLWKIRXUERPEKLWVOutcomes
x At the Battle of Midway, the action of just four minutes permanently
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had a solid edge in numbers of carriers; after Midway, the United
States enjoyed a numerical advantage that rapidly and irrevocably
increased as the country’s industrial capacity came on line.x Before Midway, the Japanese were always victorious and always
on the offensive. After Midway, the roles reversed, and it was the
United States that would consistently be on the offensive for the
rest of the war and the Japanese who were forced to defend an ever-
shrinking empire.Fuchida, et al., Midway.
Prange, Miracle at Midway.
Symonds, The Battle of Midway.Suggested Reading