USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Admiral Nimitz had one critical advantage: U.S. cryptanalysts had partially broken the Japanese Navy’s JN-25b code. Since early 1942, the U.S. had been decoding messages stating that there would soon be an operation at objective “AF".

Detailed explanation-2: -Breaking the Code The attack location and time were confirmed when the American base at Midway sent out a false message that it was short of fresh water. Japan then sent a message that “AF” was short of fresh water, confirming that the location for the attack was the base at Midway.

Detailed explanation-3: -Whereas the Japanese had no land-based air support, the Americans could commit about 115 land-based Navy, Marine Corps, and Army Air Forces planes from Midway and Hawaii. The American fleet also included some 19 submarines.

Detailed explanation-4: -Importance of the US Victory at Midway The Imperial Japanese Navy would not be capable of overcoming the loss of four carriers and over 100 trained pilots, and with the loss at Midway, the Japanese offensive in the Pacific was overturned and the United States began offensive action in the Pacific.

Detailed explanation-5: -An indispensable one was the ability of U.S. communications-intelligence officers to decrypt Japanese radio messages. The information they provided enabled carrier-based dive-bombers to be in position northwest of Midway Atoll to deliver a devastating attack and sink all four enemy aircraft carriers.