Date - June 3rd 1942
Reporting from Midway Island is our own Terry "Doc" Savage.
Things look bleak here as the sun sets after a Fierce Air to Air and Air to Ground battle.
The day started out like any other day. We were told that the Japanese may be headed in this direction so as usual the Army sent out PBY and B17 Scouts looking for the enemy.
It turns out we did not have to look for them for very long. The drone of our Scouts and CAP were soon drowned out by the BUZZ of approaching Japanese Fighters. We knew something big was headed our way. We knew we did not have many Planes to defend with but soon we got the call that help was on the way from one of our nearby Carriers ! Soon Radar and naked eyes picked up the incoming Dive Bomber Raid. Just as they appeared our Fighters engaged the VALS and some KATES. Just as it seemed the IJN was going to make it to Midway itself the Carrier Fighters arrived to snuff out the Attack.
We all thought - this is all the VAUNTED Japanese could throw at us. It turns out we were wrong.
The next part of the battle was fought by both sides scouts. Both sides had Scouts out searching for the enemy fleets. If they could be found they could be tracked and if they can be tracked they can be attacked.
The US found the IJN Fleets first. A combined B17, TBM and SDB raid started to head in the general direction. During the Approach the IJN's CAP started attack the TBM's and SDB's. Those that made it in attacked they best they could. In the end they damaged the IJN Carrier but did not sink her.
About the same time the second IJN raid appeared over Midway. Those fighters still there put up a stout defense but could not stop the raid. After the planes dropped their bombs and left ( Those that were not shot down ). We were able to look over the damage. We could refuel the planes that landed but it looks bleak on launching planes for a fresh attack tomorrow.
By now the IJN Scouts had spotted all three of the US Carriers. If they can track them through tomorrow it will cause some problems for the US Planners.
The second US Raid found another IJN Fleet and a combination of Torpedo and Dive Bombers attacker her. At first the call of a SUNK CV came over the radio - everyone in the shack jumped for joy ! Then came the 2nd message - it was a destroyer not a CV ! But more planes were still attacking and finally the "Scratch ONE Flattop" Message came across. We asked for verification and the Pilot VIFF of the "Hounds of Hell" Group confirmed a ship with a FLATTOP was going under ! We could all breathe a sigh of relief.
A small group of bombers reported seeing a smoking ship on the horizon. They were on the edge of their range but pressed home the attack regardless. 2 of the 3 bombers got some more bombs on the CV but she would not go down.
About this time the US Commanders called back all of her planes. Time to land and regroup and figure out what to do next.
Privately I was told that things on Midway herself looked bleak. Most of the hangers were damaged and they do not feel they can launch any planes for at least 24 hours. With little real defense the Marines on the ground know that their fate lies in the hands of the Carrier pilots.
The US Commanders have some serious planning to do. Their unsinkable Carrier - Midway - is out of action and the IJN can pretty much guess about where all three US CV's will be come dawn. The US knows they sunk 1 but atleast1 IJN Carrier is out there somewhere -they do not know where.
The next 24 HOURS will determine the fate of not just the men at Midway but both the continued expansion of the IJN Forces of the turning of the tide by the US in the war in the pacific.
