Japan CA lost at Midway (Full Version)

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kevini100 -> Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 1:21:55 AM)

Question?

What are the historical particular on the Japanese CA lost at Midway? I always seem to get confused on that one.

thanks

Kevini



FeurerKrieg -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 1:55:47 AM)

This is from Wikipedia. I won't vouch for accuracy.

While beating its retreat in close column at night, the Japanese cruiser bombardment force suffered a further trial. A sighting of the American submarine Tambor forced the cruiser formation to initiate radical evasive maneuvers. Mogami failed to adjust its course correctly for a column turn, and rammed the port quarter of her sistership Mikuma. Over the following two days, first Midway and then Spruance's carriers launched several successive strikes against the stragglers. Mikuma was eventually sent to the bottom, while Mogami managed to successfully fend off the bombers, and lived to fight another day. US Marine Captain Richard E. Fleming was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his attack on the Mikuma, although contemporary research has revealed that neither Fleming's bomb nor his aircraft actually struck the ship itself.




ctangus -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 2:07:56 AM)

That's correct, though there's more to the story as well.

A large factor in Mikuma's death was that the bomb hits by SBDs caused secondary explosions of her torpedoes, dooming her. Mogami's damage control officer had earlier jettisoned her torpedoes and she lived despite taking at least as many bomb hits. They each received about half a dozen IIRC.



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Big B -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 2:09:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

This is from Wikipedia. I won't vouch for accuracy.

While beating its retreat in close column at night, the Japanese cruiser bombardment force suffered a further trial. A sighting of the American submarine Tambor forced the cruiser formation to initiate radical evasive maneuvers. Mogami failed to adjust its course correctly for a column turn, and rammed the port quarter of her sistership Mikuma. Over the following two days, first Midway and then Spruance's carriers launched several successive strikes against the stragglers. Mikuma was eventually sent to the bottom, while Mogami managed to successfully fend off the bombers, and lived to fight another day. US Marine Captain Richard E. Fleming was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his attack on the Mikuma, although contemporary research has revealed that neither Fleming's bomb nor his aircraft actually struck the ship itself.



That's a pretty accurate summation, I always thought that the Marine Pilot in question was Henderson (of Henderson Field fame).



ctangus -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 2:13:19 AM)

Henderson led the gallant, if futile, attack of Marine SBDs & Vindicators against KB on the 4th.



Big B -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 2:17:50 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ctangus

Henderson led the gallant, if futile, attack of Marine SBDs & Vindicators against KB on the 4th.

Of course you're right, I remember that now. Heck, it was only last summer I read Shattered Sword.



ctangus -> RE: Japan CA lost at Midway (12/10/2006 2:36:22 AM)

Getting a little off-topic, but great book, IMO. It certainly provides more facts/details/insights into the battle - at least for me.

Though I think what intrigued me the most were the accounts of what was occurring on the Japanese carriers after the SBDs started scoring. I could (at least somewhat) put myself in their shoes. Fascinating & haunting all at the same time.



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