Midway Inquest: Why the Japanese Lost the Battle of Midway

Appendix C. Reconstruction of Japanese CAP activity

a p p e n d i x c reconstruction of japanese cap activity1 Akagi Kaga Soryu Hiryu Total launched first time Left on board In air Shot down Total shot down Time TO Land TO Land TO Land TO Land 0430 3a2 2a 3a 3a 11 273 11 0515 3b 14 24 14 0543 3b 17 21 17 0600 3b 20 18 20 0612 3c 23 15 23 0655 3c 26 12 26 0659 3a 23 0700 3b 2a 1Ha 1 2c 1c4 31 07 24 0705– 0710 3a25 2m 3c 36 02 32 0720 1c 31 0730 3b 3a6 2b* 3b 20 0736 3a2 1b 16 338 appendix c Akagi Kaga Soryu Hiryu Total launched first time Left on board In air Shot down Total shot down Time TO Land TO Land TO Land TO Land 0750 2b 14 0759 2a 1b* 2c 9 0800 3a2* 2a2 3b2* 3b2* 20 0808 3b2 23 1Ac 0810 1Hc 20 1Sc 4 0815 3b2 2d 38 0 25 0830 2a2 1c2 28 0832 3a3 1c2 32 0840 1c 38 00 31 4 0859 1c 2m 28 0910 1b2 3b2 2a2* 2d 3b2* 17 0920 3b3 2d2 1c2 23 0930 3a2* 1Kc 5 2c 17 0932 1b3 1Aa 6 1c2 2m2 1m7 39 21 0937 3b3 1c2 298 25 0945 4r 2c2 1r 44 24 32 0951 2c2 29 1Aa 7 1000 6r 3a3 50 18 38 1010 1a3 2b2 35 1013 2a3 1r 51 17 38 1015 3r 54 14 41 1015– 2Kd 1030 36 3S 12 Reconstruction of Japanese CAP activity 339 NOTES 1. This data is compiled from the carrier Action Reports (WDC 160985-B), Nagumo’s Of¤cial Report (Mobile Force’s Detailed Battle Report #6, translated as “The Japanese Story of the Battle of Midway,” OPNAV P32-1002), and Senshi Sosho. Where records are missing or incomplete I have made a guess as to missing patrols that most likely were launched and landed. Speci¤cally, there is no mention of the second and fourth patrols in Hiryu’s report, and as the records of Soryu’s Twelfth Shotai were transferred to Junyo (and missing) there is no record of its CAP activity after its ¤rst patrol. The Of¤cial Report and Senshi Sosho have ¤lled some of the gaps, but not all. For example, Senshi Sosho notes that Hiryu launched Zeros for CAP in the 0800–0808 period (when the American dive-bombers from Midway attacked) and that all available Zeros were launched from other carriers as well during that period, but does not say how many or from which carriers. I have assumed that Hiryu and Soryu launched patrols at that time—even though this is not mentioned in their fragmentary Action Reports. An * marks the patrols I have inserted. 2. Lower-case letters identify groups of Zeros called shotais (sections) so the planes can be tracked when they land and are relaunched on subsequent patrols. Each carrier had nine Zeros left from its operational air group after the Midway strike force departed, and most were divided into three shotais of three planes each, with the shotais designated as “a,” “b,” and “c.” However, Kaga divided its CAP into four shotais and, thus, “d” indicates the fourth. In addition, Akagi used some Zeros from the Sixth Air Group (which were intended for the defense of Midway after its capture); they are indicated by “m.” Later on, Zeros that returned from the strike on Midway were used for CAP; they are indicated by “r.” The number after the shotai designation indicates recycling of those Zeros for CAP. Capital letters A, H, K and S (in the “shot down” column, for example) indicate Zeros from the carriers Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, and Soryu, respectively. 3. After the Midway strike force departed it was reckoned that thirty-eight operational Zeros remained on board (thirty-six in the Second Wave plus two from the Sixth Air Group deemed to be carrier quali¤ed.) After the Midway strike force returned, its Zeros became available—along with (apparently) a third Zero from the Sixth Air Group. 4. It appears that this plane from Hiryu developed engine trouble and returned early. Senshi Sosho, p. 315. It apparently remained out of action. Akagi Kaga Soryu Hiryu Total launched first time Left on board In air Shot down Total shot down Time TO Land TO Land TO Land TO Land 1024 1r9 55 13...