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To: CinCPac
From: Central Pacific Operations Staff
CC: CominCh
Re: Midway Operations 8-12-42 to date
Date: August 31, 1942
Sirs:
This memo will cover the main portions of the campaign to date, allowing you to review the status of said operation and to be able to render informed decisions on the course that this operation shall take over the next period.
Having been resolved that after the failure of the first attempt to recover Midway in the spring of this year, that a future attempt would be made, the 1st Marine Division began the planning of this operation. It was joined in the planning stages by the 37th ID.
The operation waited for the availability of CV Wasp and the new battleship North Carolina; additionally, the British BB Prince of Wales finished repairs in Mare Island early and was seconded to American service.
Harassing attacks by B17’s from Johnston Island throughout the July period were the only precursor to the landing on the 13th. 5 BB provided fire support for the landing and coastal gunfire was brisk; it was later determined that the Japanese had 2 coastal gun regiments based here. The BBs were not seriously damaged, but the landing transports took some severe damage, along with the minecraft. The initial landings were slow to develop, as debarking from transports is a time consuming process; we look forward to the receipt of the new landing ships and crafts.
The second day’s attacks do not increase the beachhead, and we now have around 4000 casualties in the landing group. But, the IJN marines don’t have the force to eject our landing groups; so, the landing forces dug in, accumulated supplies and bombarded the enemy positions. The Wasp, Long Island (operating a Marine SBD Sqd) and the bombardment ships used this time to return to Hawaiian waters to replenish.
From the 15th thru the 23th, the Marines and infantry on Midway shell the IJN ground forces continually. On the 24th, the 24th RCT which had been designated reserve for this operation at the beginning of the month landed in concert with an all out attack from the beachhead troops, forcing the Japanese Naval Guardsmen from the airstrip.
After that day, mopping up operations are begun, which are causing the Japanese about 400 casualties a day with little to no losses on our side, by using the tank battalion alone in the attacks. The first interference by Jap naval forces was on the 21st; the force that had been operating in the Aleutians came down and eliminated the flush decker division that had been covering the remaining freighters unloading supplies.
On the night of the 29th, IJN Mutsu, Ise and Hyuga covered by four DD encounter the American BBs Colorado, West Virginia, Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi; CA Indianapolis, CL St Louis and four DD. Over the next several hours, the IJN embarrasses us; 2 Jap DD sunk that night versus 1 US DD, but the battlelines are the opposite results. The IJN wagons hardly got touched, while 3 of the 5 American are damaged from moderate to severe; the Idaho got it particularly bad, it was believed that the Hyuga hit her with at least 10 heavy shells. Her superstructure and upper hull are shredded and will have to be towed. All the other damaged BB can make at least 7 knots, so are not write-offs at this time. The Jap BBs had last been seen at Port Moresby on the 15th; they must have left there immediately and came here directly at about 14 knots.
Wasp, who was off Hawaii at this time, was ordered to close on Midway at flank speed to engage any damaged or returning Jap combatants. The Colorado and Mississippi group up to protect their damaged sisters.
That evening, that formally Aleutian-based surface force was led by by Hiei and Kongo into Midway waters, where they encountered a flight of PTs. Some shots were fired, and then everyone left.
Dawn air search from Wasp and Midway revealed the Hiei group 60 miles NE of Wasp (which was 120 miles SE of Midway). 47 bomb and torpedo sorties are flown against this target; 4 ½ tonners on Hiei, one on a CL. 6 planes lost, no torpedo hits. Zeroes were present over the group; 5-10 in number.
The midmorning search finds the Jap carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku 180 miles NE of Wasp; it had evidently been their fighters over the BBs. Wasp can only send 8 F4F, 9 SBD and 5 TBF; some 30 Zeroes oppose them and they quickly break up the attack. Only 1 fighter and one SBD make it through, but Ens. Nathanial Vaughn delivers his 1000 lbr to the deck of the Shokaku, leaving it on fire. This officer recommends that he be considered for decoration for his valor under fire, pressing home an attack and succeeding under such heavy odds.
Meanwhile, the Wasp TF is under heavy attack from the strike planes of the 2 Jap carriers. The first strike is a full strike from Shokaku; 16 Zeroes, 24 each of Val and Kate bombers. Wasp is traveling with North Carolina and Prince of Wales off her port and starboard rear quarters respectively; CLAA Juneau and San Diego are on her forequarters, with San Juan in trail and Quincy in the lead. 7 DD form an outer screen at 5000 yards. 18 Wildcats are on CAP, but interfere little with the bombers, as they get tied up with the escort; dropping 6 for 2 losses. But, the flak from this force is heavy and accurate hitting over 50% of the bombers; 5 Val and 7 Kate are confirmed splashed, and only one bomb hits the Showboat, knocking out a 1.1 AA mount.
Another raid arrives on the heels of the first; they had evidently separated, either by design or error is not known. This also contains 24 each of the Val and Kate types, but only 2 fighters; the remaining Wildcats had the numerical advantage but were not able to intercept effectively. These groups suffered from AA fire badly also; this time ¾ of the attacking planes were hit by fire, with 7 Val and 6 Kate confirmed. But the lack of effective fighter cover meant more accurate runs for the bombers; 3 hits were scored on North Carolina again, another 1.1 mount and a couple of 20mm positions were hit. And this time, Wasp could not avoid the Kate attacks and was hit by two torpedoes. She is not critical, but will need some month’s worth of repairs to fix this damage.
Weather is forecast to be thunderstorms off Midway again; clearing over PH. Location of forces not known as of this writing as they are maintaining radio discipline. Sub forces have been recalled from their intercept of the Mutsu group off Wake to proceed to area to hunt carriers. Additional air groups are told to prepare to move out on short notice; Long Island is returning to Hawaiian waters for transport and possible combat if needed.
Ground forces on Midway are stepping up attacks to eliminate Jap holdouts; will rotate among the infantry units with armor support.
That is all at this time.
RADM R. Davidson
Commander
CentPacOps
_____________________________
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
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Printable Version
RE: Mirth at Perth - 
Or was it other ships?? 
Apparently some of them congregated on one side of the island to taunt the Marines across the lagoon. 
do tell do tell
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