[calex59]

Actually I think the whole idea of capturing Midway was to lure the American carriers into battle and destroy them. They actually succeeded in doing that.

Don't think so. They staged an attack on the Aleutians and tried to draw us up there so they could take Midway. They did not want out Carriers to show up and didn't expect them to. They knew if we found out they were in trouble but they went ahead anyway. Our intelligence pretty much proved they were trying to decoy us away from Midway.

[skeeter]

The Japanese certainly didn't want or expect to be bushwhacked in the process of taking Midway.

They expected to ensconce themselves on the island first and then take on our carriers when they came out to dislodge them.

As it was our guys slipped past their pickets and we all know the rest.

[yarddog]

The attack on the Aleutians was indeed supposed to draw some American forces to that area. I don’t think they thought we would send one of our remaining two, as they thought fleet carriers to the Aleutians tho.

I also think they intended to occupy the Aleutians if they could, not just as a feint.