What You Never Knew About the Battle of Midway

War Thunder is a highly detailed vehicle combat game containing over 2,000 playable tanks, aircraft, and ships spanning over 100 years of development. Immerse yourself completely in dynamic battles with an unparalleled combination of realism and approachability.

The famous Battle of Midway in 1942 is one of the most significant military battles in history. In this video, we go over some of the forgotten details about the turning point of the Pacific war. Here are 5 things you probably never knew about the Battle of Midway. This was made using the World War II flight simulator War Thunder. Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe. #WW2 #WWIIHistory #WarThunder

Want to fly with me in one of these great WWII flight sims? Join my discord!
If you want to support TJ3 History and get access to special VIP content, please check out these awesome links!
TJ3 History Merch Store!

A big thanks to the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia for their commentary in this video. Check them out here!

Follow me on social media for updates!

[robertdendooven]

Lt Cmdr. John Waldron, who was the commander of Torpedo 8, was 41 years old when he was killed at Midway. This is just one example of older pilots in combat than Henderson.

[SIXSTRING]

My late father in law was a AA gunner aboard the Yorktown. He endured the battle of The Coral Sea and lived through the sinking of the Yorktown at Midway. He told me some stories about his time onboard the Yorktown and both battles. He sadly passed away 2/14/2000. I’m proud and honored of his service. Also very proud of all his shipmates who didn’t make it home and every veteran who served our country from the beginning. God bless you all!

[jaiclary]

You've got to imagine that at some point Japanese high command got tired of hearing "we sank the Yorktown.'

[Kawboy]

Squadron commanders early on it the war were typically "older". At the Battle of Midway, John Waldron was 41, Max Leslie was 39, Gene Lindsay, Jimmy Thatch, Lem Massey were all mid to late 30's. Wade McClusky, whom many say won the battle, just turned 40. The commanders who survived then quickly left combat for other roles.

[kerryrock]

The Yorktown was actually attacked three times, the Japanese thought she was three different carriers! This helped the Midway attack!

[oldcremona]

The light carrier Shoho was also lost by the Japanese at Coral sea, the only naval asset ever sunk by the ill-fated TBD Devastator.

[Purvis-dwqf]

Thanks for the great video. As a general rule, Navy and USMC pilots tended to be a little older, especially in 1942. Halsey was 52 when he trained as a pilot. In the battle, Wade McClusky was 40, Eugene E. Lindsey was 36, and John Thach was 37 to name a few. Air Force General Clarence Tinker led a bomber attack at the battle and was killed at the age of 54.

[davidkinsey]

Yamamoto reportedly said that after Pearl Harbor the Japanese Navy could run wild throughout the Pacific for six months. He was only off by 3 days.

[cuz]

My dad served on an escort carrier in WW2 in the Pacific. I love reliving his experiences.

[rabbitramen]

Captain Fleming did deliver one of the fatal blows to the Mikuma, though posthumously. His plane didn't crash into the ocean, but on the Mikuma's after turrets near a ventilation intake duct as was shown in the famous picture after the attack on that cruiser. The flames from his crashed Vindicator's fuel tanks were then sucked down the vent into one of Mikuma's engine rooms and killed all of the personnel in it, therefore crippling the ship before she sank.

[TJ]

Video notes: A big thanks to the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia for their commentary in this video. Check them out here and ride their SBD Dauntless!

[manuelvalentin]

I've watched and read just about anything regarring the battle of Midway, and yet it seems there are still so many more details to be discovered regarding this historical event. Another awesome presentation! 👍👏

[lloydryan]

Excellent video I am a Marine from the fifties who has studied WWll especially the Pacific ever since. Your video of the Battle of Midway has more information than I ever learned before. I am a fan!!

[eddyjohan]

As I was watching this docu for the first time, I remembered Tom Clacy said in an interview (maybe with David Letterman Late Show) that he was going to write a book about the Battle in Midway. I was struck by his very words that there are still things about the Battle of Midway which yet to be explored. I read a lot about The Battle of Midway so that comes as a big surprise. Now I understand what he meant. Could be a great book if not for his death in 2013.

[captainhurricane]

A really well-made and presented video. Let's take a minute to remember all those brave men on either side lost at Midway, too.
I climbed the control tower at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal many years ago; I wonder if it is still there.

[ChuckMatley]

I read a book I think was "I Boat Commander" by a Japanese sub officer who had an interesting take on the battle. There was to be a sub picket line in place but the senior commanders ignored the junior commanders and sent older, slower boats to do this job. He said that if the newer, faster boats had been sent, as recommended, they could have been in place to see and report the US carrier force and possibly to interdict it. I have never seen this referred to any where else.

[cleverusername]

Aside from the great narration, excellent information, and beautiful visuals, I love how this channel includes a fun and interesting quiz/trivia component. Very engaging and creative.

[timf]

Kind of interesting having Freddy Krueger narrative a video on Midway.

[rocketguardian]

Actually, Hornet's strike started off together, but Waldron disagreed with the CAG, who flew off on the wrong heading. Waldron tried to correct him but nobody listened, so he took his squadron in on his own. His CAG, Stanhope Ring, led the infamous "flight to nowhere". His fighter escort ended up in the drink, and his dive bombers essentially mutinied and turned back, some landing at Midway, some eventually finding their way back to Hornet, and more of them crashing into the sea. The death of Torpedo 8 had nothing to do with flight coordination, which was only a problem with Enterprise's group. Even Yorktown's group managed to stay together right up until they reached the Japanese carriers, but the CAG lost contact with the Torpedo planes at the last minute, and only started his attack after the last of them was being shot down.

You really need to check Parshall and Tully's "Shattered Sword" or at the very least, check Montmayor or Drachinifel for more detail. Sorry dude.

[ApokalyptikNM]

I remember hearing a story about a SBD dive bomber gunner if I remember correctly his guns either jammed or were out of ammo so the gunner decided to just start throwing whatever he got his hands on at the Japanese zeroes that were on his six

Edit: yeah I seen that footage of midway Island I wonder what it felt like for the guy with the camera in the thick of it.