Midway From The Japanese Perspective

Summary

On June 4th, 1942, Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi commands the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū during a critical battle in the Pacific. Amid intense air raids, the Japanese carriers fend off relentless American attacks, but suffer devastating losses, including the Akagi, Kaga, and Sōryū. Despite a determined counterattack that damages the USS Yorktown, the Hiryū is ultimately overwhelmed by dive bombers. Admiral Yamaguchi and Captain Kaku remain with their doomed ship, which sinks after a heroic but futile defense. This dramatic account is part of a sponsored promotion for the game World of Warships.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The script is set on June 4th, 1942, during the pivotal Battle of Midway in World War II.
• 🛥️ Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi commands two aircraft carriers, the Hiryū and the Sōryū, part of the elite Japanese task force, Kidō Butai.
• 🔥 A Japanese force of 108 planes was launched to attack the strategically important Midway Atoll, which houses a vital US military base.
• ✈️ The Hiryū and other carriers are initially successful in defending against American attacks, with Zero fighters intercepting and downing many American aircraft.
• 💣 The Japanese carriers are vulnerable during the rearming process, which leaves them ill-prepared to face an immediate counterattack.
• 🚨 News of an unidentified naval presence heightens the tension and urgency for the Japanese forces.
• 🔄 The Kidō Butai is forced to juggle between strategies, wasting precious time and leaving them exposed.
• 🎯 The American Naval Air Force locates the Japanese fleet and launches a devastating attack, targeting the carriers with precision.
• 💥 The carriers Kaga, Sōryū, and Akagi suffer catastrophic damage from American dive bombers, effectively neutralizing them.
• 🏴‍☠️ Yamaguchi, with the Hiryū, becomes the last hope for a Japanese counterstrike against the American forces.
• ⚔️ Despite heavy losses, Yamaguchi's remaining forces manage to hit the American carrier USS Yorktown, causing significant damage.
• 🌅 In a tragic turn, the Hiryū is eventually sunk by American dive bombers, and Yamaguchi goes down with his ship, posthumously honored for his bravery.

Q & A

What is the significance of June 4th, 1942, in the context of the script?

June 4th, 1942, marks the beginning of the Battle of Midway, a crucial encounter between the Japanese and American naval forces during World War II.

Who is Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi and what is his role in the script?

Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi is the commander of the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū and is in command of both the Hiryū and Sōryū carriers during the Battle of Midway.

What is the Kidō Butai, and which ships are part of this task force?

The Kidō Butai is an elite Japanese carrier task force consisting of four aircraft carriers: Hiryū, Sōryū, Akagi, and Kaga.

What was the objective of the Japanese force on the morning of June 4th, 1942?

The objective was to launch an attack on Midway atoll, a vital US military base, with a force of 108 planes.

What challenges did Admiral Yamaguchi face after the initial attack on Midway?

Yamaguchi faced American air attacks from Midway, difficulties in rearming planes, and a vulnerable position due to hangars filled with explosives, which made the Kidō Butai susceptible to bombing attacks.

How did the Japanese forces initially respond to American torpedo bombers?

Japanese Zero fighters intercepted the American torpedo bombers, shooting down many of them, though some American planes managed to launch their torpedoes.

What happened to the Japanese carriers Kaga, Sōryū, and Akagi during the battle?

Kaga was hit by a series of catastrophic explosions, Sōryū was bombed, and Akagi suffered from a bomb that penetrated its flight deck, causing devastating secondary explosions.

Describe the final attack led by Lieutenant Michio Kobayashi.

Lieutenant Michio Kobayashi led 24 aircraft to attack the American fleet. Despite heavy losses and an American Wildcat fighter counterattack, his bombers managed to score three direct hits on the USS Yorktown.

What was the outcome of Lieutenant Jōichi Tomonaga's mission?

Lieutenant Jōichi Tomonaga led a one-way mission with his damaged plane, managing to release his torpedo before being shot down. His torpedo missed, but a subsequent force managed to hit and disable the Yorktown.

What ultimately happened to the Hiryū and Admiral Yamaguchi?

The Hiryū was heavily bombed and set ablaze by American dive bombers. Admiral Yamaguchi remained aboard and went down with the ship, which was eventually sunk by a Japanese destroyer.