Midway – The Battle That Turned the Pacific War

Episode 20 of Turning Points: History’s Greatest Battles focuses on the Battle of Midway (June 1942) — the decisive naval clash that reversed the momentum of the Pacific War. After early Japanese victories, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned to lure and destroy the remaining U.S. aircraft carriers by attacking Midway Atoll. Unbeknownst to him, American codebreakers had identified the target, allowing Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to position U.S. carriers in ambush. On June 4, Japanese carriers launched strikes against Midway but failed to neutralize the base. As Japanese decks were crowded with rearming aircraft, American torpedo squadrons attacked, suffering devastating losses but drawing enemy fighters low. Moments later, U.S. dive bombers struck, destroying Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu within minutes. The fourth carrier, Hiryu, was sunk later that day. Japan lost four fleet carriers, hundreds of aircraft, and many veteran pilots—losses it could not replace. Though the U.S. lost Yorktown, Midway shattered Japanese naval supremacy and marked the start of America’s offensive across the Pacific.