Miracle At Midway
by Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein, and Katherine V. Dillon 1983  / 469 pgs Military History

The battle of Midway is known as the turning point of the Pacific War.  The story is well known to those that have read about World War II.  The Imperial Japanese Navy lost four Aircraft Carriers, and the U.S. Navy losing the U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5).  With the Japanese Carriers sunk and the loss of their very experienced pilots was to prove a disaster for the Empire that would never be on the offensive for the duration of the war.

The two movies about Midway tell a simplified version of what happens.  However, like all movies, there is more to the story than can be put on the film.  Miracle At Midway is a detailed account of the battle.  Unlike, At Dawn We Slept, there is not as much depth of the political games that brought the Japanese to this crucial battle. 

The fascinating section of the story is not what you would know from the movies, but the details that are left out of any standard Midway telling.  For example, how B-17’s and B-26’s from the USAAF bombed the Japanese fleet.  Their impact was minimal to nil; however, most people don’t know that any USAAF bombers were used in the battle. 

Another fascinating part that is lost to history was the first American aircraft to score a hit on the Japanese at the battle.  It wasn’t a carrier-born aircraft as most stories and even the movies tell.  It was a P.B.Y. Catalina rigged with a torpedo and scored a hit on the Akebono Maru in the Invasion Force.  The Catalina didn’t do much damage. Interestingly, it was the only successful U.S. torpedo attack during the entire battle!.  The P.B.Y. wasn’t the only aircraft that was rigged with a torpedo.  The USSAF rigged a torpedo to the B-26; however, their attack was unsuccessful.   

These are just a few of the fascinating and detailed stories that tell the whole narrative about the Battle of Midway.  Just like any History/War book, if it’s your cup of tea, you would enjoy this book.  If not, I would stay away from it.  I enjoyed reading it; it’s not as good as At Dawn We Slept. However, if you want a good read on the Battle of Midway, I would recommend it. 

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and get lost in an excellent book,

Lopaka

Next – A Night to Remember