I look at it as simply giving us something of a fighting chance. The Japanese had a vastly superior force, both numerically and qualitatively. In such a match up, good intel doesn't usually matter.
Remember that we did not win because of the element of surprise. Hours passed without a single hit on the Japanese. We won because brave men continued to press the attack into the jaws of death, from which few of their compatriots were returning.
It is said that the Japanese were overconfident. I don't think so. They had every right to be very confident and expectant of victory. They destroyed most everything that came at them. Japanese aircraft and flyers were world class. But the Americans chose to fight to the death to stop the Japanese, and that shear tenacity was enough to force an opening and deliver victory.
In the annals of warfare, Midway is not a matter of the lucky arrow, but of the inexplicably tenacious warriors.
“...We won because brave men continued to press the attack into the jaws of death, from which few of their compatriots were returning....”
True that. On Dad’s side Two of my uncles were Pacific Marines, one was Army. One of Dad’s cousins, 22 years old Marine, never left Iwo Jima. Mom’s side had a Marine there as well.
Dad was Airborne in Europe, fighting the other maniacs.
Our family was well-represented there.
“...In the annals of warfare, Midway is not a matter of the lucky arrow, but of the inexplicably tenacious warriors. ...”
The image of dive bomber pilot Earl Gallaher, looking over his should and saying into the mic “Arizona, I Remember You!” as he watched his bomb explode on Kaga... That is indeed American, Tenacious, and courageous.
THAT’S our People... and always will be.
God bless them.