In the middle of the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the United States is the aptly named island of Midway.

And somewhere off the shore at a depth of 18,000 feet, lying on the seabed is the Japanese aircraft carrier, Kaga.

It's the 18th of October 2019, and using Sonar, an autonomous underwater vehicle has discovered the wreck.

Two days later, it will discover another Japanese aircraft carrier,

the Akaji.

They are two of the four carriers sunk by the United States in the Battle of Midway in June 1942.

The U.S. victory, after four days of fierce fighting in the air and sea, is widely seen as

a turning point in the Pacific War in World War II. But things

could have turned out very differently. Had American code breakers not

discovered the date and time of what was meant to be Japan's initial surprise attack. Hi there I'm'm Don Wildman and this is American History Hit. Welcome to the

podcast. 80 years ago this summer, official anniversary is June 3rd through 6th.

A single naval battle between two great navies took place in the Pacific.

It would prove to be a pivotal defining moment of World War II.

I'm talking, of course, about the Battle of Midway between the United States

and Japan and today we have the author of one of the seminal works about this

conflict. It's called the Battle of Midway and its esteemed author is with us today.

Welcome Craig Simons to American History Hit.

Very glad you could join us.

Thank you, Don.

Happy to be here.

World War II was a global conflict full of massive campaigns

and gigantic turning points, but none looms larger than the Battle of Midway.

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