70 Years Ago: June 4, 1942 - Midway Battle Begins

Early on June 4, Japanese oil tanker Akebono Maru sustained the first hit when a torpedo from an attacking PBY Catalina flying boat struck her around 01:00. This would be the only successful air launched torpedo attack by the U.S. during the entire battle. All told, US Navy forces launched nearly fifty torpedoes, and not one exploded against their targets.

Admiral Nagumo launched his air attack on the island of Midway at 0430. Arriving over Midway at 0620, the force of 36 dive bombers, 36 torpedo bombers and 36 fighters did extensive damage to the base. In the meantime, US bombers launched from Midway before the Japanese arrived, attacked the Japanese force. Even though Midway was heavily damaged by the Japanese attack, the base was still operational after the attack and the Japanese flight leader recommended a second attack. Nagumo ordered his loaded anti-shipping aircraft below to the hangar to be reconfigured for another attack on Midway.

This decision was reinforced by the arrival of a second US attack from Midway before the Japanese attackers returned to the carriers. Nagumo was not aware of the presence of a US carrier force until about 0840.

In the meantime, Admiral Fletcher had ordered the launch of aircraft from Hornet and Enterprise at 0700. The first attacking aircraft, TBD Devastator torpedo bombers from Hornet, drew defending Japanese fighters down to deck level about 0920. They were followed by Enterprises devastator squadrons. Losses were heavy, but while the low-level fighting was going on, dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown arrived overhead, unnoticed by Japanese fighters, Attacking about 1020, their bombs put Soryu, Kaga and Akagi out of action in just a few minutes.

The fourth Japanese carrier, Hiryu, the only one to survive the morning's action, launched a counterattack, hitting Yorktown with three bombs, following up with an aerial torpedo attack that brought Yorktown to a stop and gave her a 26 degree list.

Late in the afternoon, Enterprise launched a counterattack of dive bombers, leaving Hiryu ablaze and unable to operate aircraft.

As the sun set on June 4, all four Japanese carriers were ablaze and out of action, Yorktown had been abandoned with a 26-degree list, thought to be close to the maximum without capsizing, and the airbase on Midway was still capable of operating aircraft.