|
| Date/Time | Event |
| 1941 |
| Dec. 7 |
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor |
| Dec. 10
|
Guam Falls
|
| Dec. 31
|
Admiral Chester Nimitz assumes command of the US Pacific Fleet
|
| |
| 1942 |
| Jan. 1-14
|
Ugaki writes a sketch of future operations, including the occupation of Midway.
|
| March
|
Japanese plans begin to center around Midway
|
| April 2-6
|
Japanese Naval general Staff gives tentative approval for Midway invasion.
|
| April 18
|
Doolittle raid on Japan
|
| May 6
|
Corregidor surrenders
|
| May 7-11
|
Battle of the Coral Sea
|
| May 10-12
|
Hypo learns that Midway is Japan's target
|
| May 17
|
Nimitz forms North Pacific Fleet to send to the Aleutians
|
| May 22
|
General Marshall flies to West Coast because War Department fears attack there
|
| May 27
|
Nagumo's task force sorties
|
| May 28
|
Japan's Northern Forces sorties
|
| May 28
|
Admiral Fletcher given command of US task forces
|
| May 28
|
Task Force 16 sorties from Pearl Harbor
|
| May 30
|
Task Force 17 sorties from Pearl Harbor
|
| June 2
|
Nagumo breaks radio silence
|
| |
| June 3, 1942 All times are local |
| 0700
|
2nd Carrier Striking Force attacks Dutch Harbor
|
| 0904
|
Midway receives message of "Sighting Main Body."
|
| |
| June 4, 1942 All times are local |
| 0430
|
Nagumo begins launching of Midway attack force
|
| 0556
|
Air Raid alarm on Midway
|
| 0641
|
Attack on Midway completed
|
| 0714
|
US level bomber attack on Japanese carriers, no hits.
|
| 0838
|
Yorktown launches attach
|
| 1014
|
Akagi under attack, no hits.
|
| 1022 - 1024
|
Kaga dive bombed, fires break out.
|
| 1025
|
Soryu hit twice
|
| 1026
|
Akagi hit twice
|
| 1046
|
Nagumo and his staff abandon Akagi and transfer command to Nagara.
|
| 1050
|
Nagumo radios Yamamoto that fires are raging on Kaga, Soryu, and Akagi.
|
| 1058
|
Takeoff from Hiryu
|
| 1200-1201
|
Hiryu planes attacks Yorktown, fires break out on
|
| 1320
|
Hiryu planes launch 2nd attack on Yorktown
|
| 1455
|
Abandon ship ordered on Yorktown
|
| 1640
|
Abandon ship ordered on Kaga
|
| 1645
|
Hiryu sighted
|
| 1705
|
Hiryu on fire from several hits
|
| 1915
|
Soryu sinks
|
| 1925
|
Kaga sinks
|
| |
| June 5, 1942 All times are local |
| 0255
|
Yamamoto cancels Midway operation
|
| 0500
|
Akagi scuttled
|
| 0900
|
Hiryu sinks
|
| 1205
|
Main Body and Occupational force retreat homeward
|
| June 5
|
I-168 torpedoes Yorktown
|
| June 6
|
Yorktown sinks
|
| June 9
|
Yamamoto take responsibility for defeat, Japanese press claims a great victory
|
