rumitoid

It started with a horrific defeat to our forces. For the initial dive bombers attack, one pilot returned from three squadrons. Our high altitude bombers were equally brutally defeated. It all seemed lost as other squadrons blew the advantage of surprise by flying off in the opposite direction from the fight. A loss here would be a huge victory for Japan and possibly end our Navy's ability to fight. Japan had set a trap for us and we had countered with one of our own thanks to the effort of one code-breaker, yet we seem to have squandered our initial advantage and suffered catastrophic losses.

Then God intervened, or so it would seem. A Japanese destroyer was spotted. Though critically low on fuel, the leader of the group of squadrons had the gut-instinct to decide and follow it. Meanwhile the Japanese, shocked at any American presence, were caught between a land attack or the approach of aircraft carriers. Their decks were loaded with bombs for a ground attack on Midway, not a fight against the Navy.

Chūichi Nagumo, a conservative, completely by the book guy, gave the order to rearm to attack the carrier threat, a feat that would take several hours to finish.

The Destroyer led them directly to Japan's four Carriers. Besides great precision in their bombing runs, the other factor in destroying all four carriers was a flight deck filled were their planes loaded with bombs. The results were a horrific defeat for Japan. Coincidence?

Everything was against us, defeat, despite our own understanding, was imminent...and then "perchance" spotting of that destroyer and the commander apparently guided by grace, to follow it.

son of witless

Nimitz was the master tactician who put all the pieces on the board. He deserved a little luck.

debeda

Never get tired of hearing that. Thanks for sharing

rumitoid

Overwhelming!