Реферат: The Battle Of Midway In The Pacific

claiming three torpedo hits. One torpedo hit the bow of the tanker Akebono Maru,

killing 13 sailors and wounding 11; the transport Kiosumi Maru lost a few

crewmen to strafing. June 4 began for Midway’s defenders at 3:00 a.m. with

reveille. All gun positions on both islands were manned as pilots and aircrews

stood by their planes. At 4:00 a.m., six F4F Wildcats from Major Floyd B. “Red”

Parks’ VMF-221 took off on combat air patrol. They were followed by 11 PBYs from

VP-44, searching for the Japanese carriers, and 16 B-17s led by Sweeney that

were to attempt another attack on the Japanese transports. At 4:30 a.m., the

carriers of Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo’s First Striking Force–Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu

and Soryu–launched their aircraft. Fifteen minutes later, 36 Nakajima B5N2 Kate

torpedo bombers, 36 Aichi D3A1 Val dive bombers and 36 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

fighters were on their way to Midway. At 5:30, Lieutenant Howard P. Ady emerged

from a cloud bank and spotted Nagumo’s carriers. Ady radioed Midway, “Carrier

bearing 320 degrees, distance 180.” Ady ducked back into the clouds and circled

the Japanese fleet, radioing again, “0553, Two carriers and main body of ships,

carriers in front, course 135 degrees, speed 34.” Fifteen minutes after Ady’s

sighting, Lt. j.g. William Chase, flying south of Ady’s sector, saw a formation

of Japanese fighters and bombers. Chase quickly radioed: “Many enemy planes

heading Midway bearing 320 degrees, distance 150.” On Midway, radar on Sand

Island picked up the approaching Japanese planes at 5:53. Air raid sirens wailed,

and all personnel raced to their dugouts and gun positions. Major Parks’ 21

Buffaloes and six Wildcats scrambled into the air, followed by Lieutenant

Fieberling’s six TBFs and Captain Collins’ four B-26s. Major Henderson’s dive

bombers were last to take off. By 6:16, all 66 of Midway’s aircraft were

airborne. While the bombers headed toward the Japanese carriers, Parks led six

Buffaloes and three Wildcats to intercept the 108 oncoming Japanese planes.

Captain John Carey, leading the three Wildcats in Parks’ flight, was first to

sight the Japanese. “Tallyho! Hawks at angels twelve!” Carey radioed. The

Japanese bombers flew in a large V formation, trailed by gaggles of Zeros. Carey