Calculated Risk-Prepping for Midway, with special guest Jon Parshall

Talking Points: Sit Rep late May 1942 What does the Pacific War look like right now? Any major changes? Doolittle Raid What is the reasoning behind the raid? What happens (briefly) What effects does the Doolittle Raid have… On the targets (actual combat results of the raid) On US plans and ops US CVs high-tail it after launch to get back to Pearl On Japanese plans and ops… Japanese Plans Because of the Doolittle Raid and the CV raids of Feb and March, what are the Japanese thinking at this time? What is Yamamoto’s conceived plan for the Midway Operation? What is the reasoning behind the plan…the ultimate goal Why is the plan so complex and so reliant on timing Literally everything had to go exactly according to plan for the Japanese plan to work as Yamamoto had it in his head Do you think that at this time the Japanese had brushed off the US as a second or even third-rate adversary? Was there a situational arrogance on the part of the Japanese? Why? Why not? Aside from Shokaku and Zuikaku not being able to take part in Midway, did Coral Sea and the efforts of the US CV pilots not kick off a light bulb in the collective Japanese heads in regard to the USN Nav Av prowess and abilities? Code Breaking We have already done an episode on HYPO, but this period is really where they shine… Intel effects on Coral Sea “AF” and HYPO’s role in figuring out the target is indeed Midway Let’s talk briefly on the whole AF water condenser myth, the reality, of course, was to convince DC, not the Japanese. King is barely convinced and allows Nimitz to do what he needs/wants to do US Preparations for battle Nimitz throws everything but the kitchen sink at Midway What units are on Midway What forces does Nimitz send to Midway? Nimitz pays the atoll a visit before the battle While Midway’s defenses are, on paper, strong…are they really? Why not? What are the aces up Nimitz’s sleeve? CV6, CV5, and CV8 Talk about the combat experience of Enterprise Air Group, Yorktown Air Group and Hornet Air Group Who are the CAGs for each AG? McClusky Leslie Ring One of Nimitz’s Aces, CV5, is damaged… The 72 hour repair myth Japanese Preparations for battle What forces do the Japanese plan to send to the fight? Who are the aviators aboard the CVs? Just how good are these people? Japanese attack on the Aleutians The myth is that this was supposed to be a diversion… Of course it was not…but what exactly was it and why was it executed at this time? What were the goals of the Aleutians Op? US Plans for the Ambush What does the intel from HYPO and Layton tell Nimitz? What does he want to do? Point Luck How will he and the US CVs go about ambushing Kido Butai ? Midway’s role… The US CVs depart Pearl… Before CV6 leaves, Nimitz attends an awards ceremony on May 27 aboard The Big E. He hands out decorations for Pearl Harbor and the carrier raids In handing a DFC to VF-6 pilot Roger Mehle, Nimitz tells him “I think you’ll have a chance to win yourself another medal in the next several days.” That very day, May 27, Nimitz executed OpPlan 29-42 which declared a state of “Fleet opposed Invasion” Nimitz’s OpPlan was devastatingly accurate A testament to HYPO and Layton’s diligence Night of June 3 Aboard Midway Last minute preparations Bill Brooks Bert Earnest Leon Williamson Aboard the US CVs Sleepless night Dusty Kleiss Bud Merrill Fred Bergeron Don Hoff