Japan’s radio operators sent out a similar message about “AF” soon afterward, confirming the location of the planned attack. Navy cryptanalysts had begun breaking Japanese communication codes early in 1942, and knew for weeks ahead of time that Japan was planning an attack in the Pacific at a location they called “AF.” Suspecting it was Midway, the Navy decided to send out a false message from the base claiming it was short of fresh water. Gains Advantage Thanks to Navy Codebreakers reinforcements from Pearl Harbor arrived, a joint strike by Nagumo’s forces and Yamamoto’s own fleet, which would be waiting 600 miles to the west.ĭid you know? Six months before the Battle of Midway, the islands were attacked on December 7, 1941, less than two hours after Pearl Harbor.

Second, an invasion force of ships and soldiers led by Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo. First, an air attack on the island launched from four first-line Japanese aircraft carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu, commanded by Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. Midway is located in the Pacific Ocean almost directly in between the United States and Japan.Īfter a diversionary attack by a smaller Japanese force on the Aleutian Islands, off the coast of Alaska, Yamamoto planned a three-pronged approach toward Midway.

Pacific fleet with a surprise attack aimed at the Allied base at Midway Island.

Hoping to replicate the success of the Pearl Harbor attack, Yamamoto decided to seek out and crush the rest of the U.S.

Supremacy 1942 call of war