The Battle of Midway
U.S. History Since 1877
November 29, 2005
The Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was not the first battle or the last battle of the Second World War, but there is not question that it was the most decisive battle of World War II in the Pacific. Midway is nothing special—just a small string of islands six miles across built up to form coral—however its location and resources are important. If the United States of America had not been in possession of Midway, the Empire of Japan could have easily attacked Pearl Harbor, or possibly even the west coast of the United States. I believe the possession of the Island of Midway was a key ingredient to winning the war in the Pacific. Japan, which has almost no natural resources, would also have had access to the oil supplies on Midway, from which it would stage attacks. Had the United States not won this battle, I believe the war in the Pacific would have taken a lot more time. The Midway Islands were important in World War II because of their strategic location in the Pacific Ocean—halfway between Tokyo, Japan, and the United States. The Pacific is enormous; victory would be determined by which country controlled which bases. Large fleets would be used to guard each base, and troops would be used to try to capture the bases. In 1941, the United States of America, the Empire of Japan, Great Brittan and the Netherlands had a great number of Pacific bases. The Japanese invaded many Pacific bases so they could further connect their supply chain. The United States was in possession of the Aleutian Islands off the tip of Alaska, Wake Island, the Midway Islands and the Hawaiian Islands. Possibly the most important base for the United States was Pearl Harbor, located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. In late 1941, the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor had eight battleships, eight cruisers, twenty-nine destroyers, and another twenty or so miscellaneous ships (McGowen 11). Early on the morning of December 7,
November 29, 2005
The Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was not the first battle or the last battle of the Second World War, but there is not question that it was the most decisive battle of World War II in the Pacific. Midway is nothing special—just a small string of islands six miles across built up to form coral—however its location and resources are important. If the United States of America had not been in possession of Midway, the Empire of Japan could have easily attacked Pearl Harbor, or possibly even the west coast of the United States. I believe the possession of the Island of Midway was a key ingredient to winning the war in the Pacific. Japan, which has almost no natural resources, would also have had access to the oil supplies on Midway, from which it would stage attacks. Had the United States not won this battle, I believe the war in the Pacific would have taken a lot more time. The Midway Islands were important in World War II because of their strategic location in the Pacific Ocean—halfway between Tokyo, Japan, and the United States. The Pacific is enormous; victory would be determined by which country controlled which bases. Large fleets would be used to guard each base, and troops would be used to try to capture the bases. In 1941, the United States of America, the Empire of Japan, Great Brittan and the Netherlands had a great number of Pacific bases. The Japanese invaded many Pacific bases so they could further connect their supply chain. The United States was in possession of the Aleutian Islands off the tip of Alaska, Wake Island, the Midway Islands and the Hawaiian Islands. Possibly the most important base for the United States was Pearl Harbor, located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. In late 1941, the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor had eight battleships, eight cruisers, twenty-nine destroyers, and another twenty or so miscellaneous ships (McGowen 11). Early on the morning of December 7,
Cited: Hoyt, Edwin P. War in the Deep Pacific. Submarine Action in World War II. Toronto, Canada: Longman Canada Limited, 1978. McGowen, Tom. Turning Points or World War II: Midway and Guadal Canal. New York, New York: Franklin Watts, 1984 Skipper, C. G. World at War: Battle of Midway. Chicago, Illnois: Childrens Press, 1980