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Why The Japanese Expected An Easy Victory At Midway—Until American Forces Destroyed All 4 Carriers

WW2 Stories Archive

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In six minutes on the morning of June 4th, 1942, the Empire of Japan lost the Pacific War.

They didn't know it yet. Neither did the young Americans about to die by the hundreds in obsolete torpedo planes.

This is the story of the bathrobe in the basement, the welders who worked seventy-two hours without sleep, the squadron commander who told his men to write letters home, and the one bomb that changed the century.

00:00 The bathrobe in the basement
11:40 The welders who saved Yorktown
23:20 The sacrifice of the torpedo squadrons
34:10 Six minutes that ended an empire
47:50 The man who was right

If your father or grandfather flew at Midway with Torpedo 8, Bombing 6, or served on the Enterprise or Yorktown, please leave his name, squadron, or memory in the comments. This channel remembers them all.

Thank you for watching the series.

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20 Comments

@WW2StoriesArchivee Creator 2 months ago Pinned

Before Midway, many Japanese leaders believed victory was almost inevitable. Just a few days later, four frontline carriers were gone, and the balance of the Pacific had changed forever.

What do you think was the biggest reason for Japan's defeat at Midway: American codebreaking, decisive leadership, pilot skill, or a series of costly mistakes? I'd love to hear your perspective after watching.

@williamgarner6779 2 months ago

Twice in less than 6 minutes we hear of ships smoking on the sea bottom. Interesting!

@Mahlers1st 2 months ago

“Burning on the ocean floor?”

@ratdoggwilliams1501 1 month ago (edited)

“Burning wrecks on the ocean floor”. Thanks for that AI!

@Rickandwifey 2 months ago

He should have said aircraft carriers burning ,eventually ending up on the ocean floor .

@brianmarsh6592 2 months ago

I love the human spirit and despite the dangers of war, this retelling of history is a very important part of the story of man. This being said, I really wish this important story was told at least by an audio track that could correctly pronounce the names of the men and ships involved. This great moment of history deserves at least a clear voice.

@argentum530 1 month ago

AI wrote a pretty good story, almost like it watched the movie.

@KreigsMarine2 1 month ago

I served onboard the USS Rentz, with one great nephew of Admiral Halsey. He was (at the time) ET2 (SW) Halsey

@joelmccoy9969 10 hours ago

This battle wasn't the only one with a `Flight to Nowhere´ where an Admiral ordered his flights to attack an empty area of the ocean with no enemy present. The USS Hornet's squandered attack didn't change the outcome enough to cost anyone at the top their job. Adm. Jack Fletcher, who didn't have a hand in Hornet's decision, was the only Admiral who lost command after Midway. The IJN attacked an Oiler and a Destroyer with a full flight at Coral Sea, and it wasn't the only `goose chase' of their carrier forces. Had the Hornet attacked the Kido Butai with all it's planes, the IJN's pilots, ground crews, and mechanics would have been so attrited that the war would have ended before January of 1945. There is so much luck involved in any victory. The gods of war were allied with the Americans.

@MargaretWilson-r8c 2 months ago

The 'victory disease' part really hits hard. It's wild how 72 hours of non-stop welding on the Yorktown completely shattered Japanese expectations. That 30-minute catapult delay on the Tone truly changed the course of history.

@tekay44 1 month ago

amazing how many little things add up. truly magnificent.

@Mo-rc9pz 2 months ago

I’ve been captivated by WW2 stories in recent years. And as stated, none made mention that Rochefort “was punished for being right.” I also hadn’t heard about the two Americans who had been drowned alive in the final moments of the battle. Thank you for including these details in honor of all, known and unknown, whose service deserves prominence in the annals of the Battle of Midway.

@Gene-t9i 1 month ago

I have been a World War 2 history buff for years and Midway is my favorite. The most important point in America during World War 2 is the right people were put in the right places to execute the war both Europe and in the Pacific. Admiral Nimitz was told to go to Hawaii and stay there until American battleships pull into Japanese harbors. Admiral Nimitz had one of the best aircraft carrier Admirals in the Navy under is command, Admiral Halsey.

@georgegaiennie 1 month ago

This video sums it up very well.

@amarsh14 2 months ago

Japan was always going to lose the Pacific War. It may have taken another year without Midway, but the US could manufacture more than Japan could ever compete with!