"Attack now! …… Watch out for enemy planes! …… Someone fell into the sea! …… My case? …… My God, there are two fighters in the water...... My wingman crashed into the sea! ”

This was the last voice of VT-8 Squadron Leader Waldron in the world, and when his car rushed into the sea with raging flames, there were only 3 TBDs left in the entire squadron, and soon these three TBDs were also shot down, and the only remaining Guy rearblock machine gunner and operator was also killed.

Guy was driving a fighter plane from above a destroyer and rushing towards any aircraft carrier on the surface (he had no choice but to choose). Guy chose the Soryu, because according to his recollection, the other two carriers were larger than this one. As mentioned before, the TBD's electric bomb dropper had a problem and could not be used, and Guy had to manually drop mines.

At that time, the Canglong made a sharp turn to the right and drove directly at him, so Guy thought he had a good chance. He was so engrossed in his observance of his target that he forgot about the heavy anti-aircraft fire of the Japanese fleet. After dropping the torpedo, Guy aimed at the Soryu, but the TBD's unreliable stupid guy quickly got stuck, and Guy could only fly away from the steep slope above the stern.

"The enemy was refueling the planes on deck and hanging up bombs, and the oil pipes were dragging all over the place, and I wished the machine guns hadn't jammed, or I would have caused a fire," Guy recalled. As I skimmed over the enemy ships, I could see the small Japanese captain on the bridge jumping and shouting. ”

Zero Pilot Fujita also witnessed the attack, and he could see the torpedoes dropped by Guy heading straight for the Soryu. A frustrated Fujita shouted loudly over the radio on one side, and circled around the Soryu as if he had gone crazy on the other, hoping to attract the Soryu's attention.

The Soryu eventually dodged the blow. It turned a corner. The torpedo galloped past it. This made Fujita breathe a sigh of relief, and only then did he realize that he had little fuel left.

On the other side, Guy had just flown away from the Snordragon when he was targeted by five other Zeros, and it was obvious that the stupid duck-like TBD couldn't beat or run away in front of Zero, and the second or third Zeros destroyed the rudder and ailerons of Guy's plane. Because one wing was broken, the plane fell straight down like a lead ball. However, Guy, who was nimble on his hands and feet, jumped out of the cockpit in time.

Guy grabbed a bag containing a rubber life raft and a black rubber cushion. Guy didn't know what it was for, though, only because Squadron Leader Waldron had told them. Don't just throw things away, because you might need them in case something happens.

Floating on the sea, Guy landed in a pile of Japanese warships, and he could only hide under the rubber mat to avoid the enemy's sight, until the air raid attracted the attention of the devils, he got out from under the mat and safely inflated the life raft, and then floated until the next day when he was rescued by PBY.

Later, Mitchell asked for credit for the VT-8 squadron and won the medal of honor for this squadron, although this honor was deserved by the VT-8 killed and surviving, but it has to be said that this report of merit is a bit nonsense: "The pilot who was not shot down dropped a torpedo at a direct distance and saw it pounce on the enemy aircraft carrier. Exploded on the side of the ship, emitting a dazzling fire. For the task force. For the sake of the Navy, they inflicted heavy losses on the air power of Japan at the very beginning of the battle! ”

Truth be told, it is not uncommon to see similar scenes, such as the Americans' enemies, who are also devils, who also had similar "inventions" after the successful attack on Pearl Harbor, praising the pocket submarine forces that did not play a role in the attack on Pearl Harbor but suffered heavy losses, and touting the only survivors as superheroes. And the unrealistic hype of the VT-8 squadron also gave a lot of criticism to the survivors who fought equally bravely and lost the same heavy troops in the Battle of Midway.

Going back to the coordination of the U.S. Naval Aviation, one of the important reasons why Waldren's squadron suffered so heavy losses (total annihilation) was that there were no fighter escorts. As mentioned earlier, the Wildcats escorting the SBD and TBD were too weak in strength, and they also had to take care of the two aircraft whose flight performance was too far apart, which led them to take care of one or the other.

At that time, the VF-6 squadron led by Gray was much faster than the TBD, and had to juggle two clusters, so it could only fly back and forth in an S-shape to keep the torpedo planes and dive bombers in their field of vision.

The frequent back-and-forth flights greatly drained Gray's spirits, and he lost Lindsay's VT-6 squadron without paying attention, and mistook Waldren's VT-8 for VT-6. Then the unexpected cloud dealt Gray a heavy blow, and when the VT-8 turned to attack the Japanese carrier, the fighter squadron leader could not find either the VT-6 nor the VT-8.

Not only that, but Gray also lost contact with the dive bomber force at this time, and Gray, who didn't know the situation, kept flying in this airspace until he had to return to the plane when the fuel was exhausted. Therefore, the contact signal of "Jem down" agreed upon in advance from beginning to end was useless at all.

Speaking of the VT-6 squadron, the squadron is much more experienced than the VT-8, having participated in many battles in the Marshall Islands, Wake Island and Marcus Island, and even the most popular pilots have flown more than 2,500 hours, and most of the time they fly torpedo planes.

But the squadron leader Lindsay was very unlucky, when he left Hawaii to land on the aircraft carrier, he had an accident, the plane fell, not to mention the people, his nose and face were bruised, and he couldn't even wear flying goggles on his face for a while, and the boss didn't plan to let him participate in the battle, but Lindsay himself strongly insisted on attacking.

Lindsay's attack plan at that time was to divide the 14 TBDs into two groups, with one led by himself and the other under the command of Avery to choose an aircraft carrier to attack.

At 9:49 a.m., the Chikumo spotted Lindsay's fleet, and soon Lindsay and Avery were approaching the Japanese aircraft carrier in two separate ways. Lindsay's target was the Kaga, but the squadron leader was so unlucky that he was the first to be shot down by Zero.

At that time, Minoru Genda once prayed for the Kaga. But it soon became apparent that it was simply not necessary. Because the performance of TBD is really terrible.

According to the memories of the few surviving pilots, orange-yellow tracer bullets flew across the sky. They weave together with the clouds of smoke formed by the explosion of anti-aircraft artillery shells, and the spiraling black smoke dragged by the TBD after it caught fire, forming a strange pattern in the sky that can only be found on Halloween.

The observation posts on the Japanese aircraft carriers constantly reported that enemy planes had been shot down, which made Minoru Genda very proud, and he thought that if he continued to fight like this, he could easily destroy all enemy planes. After that, they will launch a powerful offensive to wipe out all the American aircraft carriers in the distance.

Of course, it wasn't only Minoru Genda who was very excited, Nagumo Tadaichi, who was very silent and entangled before, seemed to be alive again at this time, and everyone on the bridge of the Akagi, including him, was as red as if they had drunk too much wine.

When the observation post was overjoyed to report: "There is one enemy plane left!" There's one left! No! Shoot them all! Shi Nanyun Zhong shouted with joy: "No matter how many enemy planes there are, we don't have to be afraid!" ”

As for Minoru Genda. He is also optimistic: "I used to have doubts about whether the mobile unit could withstand the attack from the air, but now I have dispelled this doubt!" ”

At this time, almost all the Japanese had only one thought in their minds: "This is a winning battle, we will first eat the enemy planes, and then destroy the enemy's aircraft carriers, and then launch a devastating attack on Midway from midnight today until tomorrow morning!" ”

The VT-6 squadron did not end better than the VT-8, 14 TBDs involved in the attack were shot down on the spot, 10 were shot down on the spot, and when they returned to the Enterprise, one was thrown into the sea because it was too badly damaged to repair.

Many people on the Japanese side who witnessed the battle held that the US planes were worthy of praise for their bravery, tenacity, and fierce charge in disregard of the fire of the Zero Battle and antiaircraft artillery. But Minoru Genda remembers: "In the face of fierce attacks from the sea and the air, some of the enemies were clearly hesitant and cowering. Don't dare to rush to kill. ”

It can only be said that Minoru Genda doesn't understand the tattered performance of TBD, how slow can this torpedo machine be after hanging a torpedo? It's like a bunch of skinny mules that have been walking for hours with heavy loads. Don't say anything about rushing forward, it's a miracle to be able to fly back.

After a death assault, a considerable number of TBD pilots are locked in another life-and-death struggle - a fight against the sea! For example, Winchell and his machine gunner, Private Glass. Cosette, before they could fully struggle to get rid of the attack of Zero, the fuel in the fuel tank of the plane was pouring out, and soon the engine struck, and they had to make a forced landing on the sea.

Winchel was quick to snatch out a life raft, emergency rations, a first-aid kit and a useless parachute before the TBD sank. Although the brothers were not injured, they were mentally tired. For the next few days, they floated in this way, occasionally seeing small fish swimming in the sea, and then going for a dip in the cool water to relieve the pressure of the heat (if there are small fish, there are no sharks). More often than not, of course, they are surrounded by schools of sharks, and the duo must use oars and flying knives to chase them away.

Whenever a plane flew overhead, Winchell always waved his hands and called for help, but each time they were ignored, so much so that later when Winchel saw the plane, he waved his fist and shouted, "F.K, you. Mother. Target. Bastard, don't think about making me invite you to drink again in the officers' club in the future! ”

After the emergency rations were exhausted, the two men shot down an albatross that curiously flew after them, and then they ate the poor bird raw.

About the twelfth day, when the two men were almost desperate, they spotted a submarine and tried their best to signal it, but it was a Japanese submarine. Winchell later recalled: "Damn devils have no humanity, these brutes drove around us in submarines, a couple of soldiers and an officer looked at us and then turned around and drove away, apparently they had no intention of saving us, and since then I have been firm in the idea of killing every devil in uniform!" ”

It wasn't until June 21, after 17 days at sea, that the brothers were found and rescued by a Katarina, who were skinny (60 pounds in weight!). ), the last two lucky men to be rescued at the Battle of Midway.

Why are Winchel the lucky ones? Because even starvation and thirst at sea, or death in battle, it is better than falling into the hands of the Japanese. At half past four o'clock in the afternoon of June 4, the Nagara spotted a life raft and ordered the Cirrus to go and check it out. If it's an American pilot. It is necessary to "interrogate the captives." Identify the enemy. It is then disposed of appropriately. ”

A few days later, on the Cirrus on its way to the Aleutian Islands, the captain of the ship, Isamu Fujita, decided that it was useless to keep the captives, so he blindfolded the two unfortunate men and threw them into the sea with a five-gallon tank full of water.

These beasts will pay for their atrocities, soon!

At around 8:40 a.m., Fletcher was also involved in the attack, with the VT-3 squadron of the Yorktown taking off first, followed by John Brown. Major Thatch's Six Wildcats. To be honest, this poor air escort force is simply not worth mentioning.

The squadron leader of the VT-3 squadron was Lance. Major Messi (not a footballer) is a highly motivated and skilled man. Previously served in the VT-6 squadron, he was transferred to the VT-3 squadron in April, and because of his rich practical experience, the VT-3 squadron is in very good shape under his leadership.

Another thing worth mentioning is Major Thatch, who piloted the Wildcat, who was an expert in air combat, who invented the famous Thatch shear tactic against Zero (more on that later, not for now).

As far as flight performance is concerned, there are not many ways for the Wildcat to deal with Zero Battle, and it is more than hovering that is abused, and it is half a pound and eight taels faster than the two sides. Worse than climbing possibly wildcats. The only way for a wild cat is to dive, preferably with a height advantage and dive attack.

Thatch sent two Wildcats flying at an altitude of 2,500 feet below the clouds. Used for fishing. As soon as they are attacked by the Zero, the alarm is to be radioed, and then Thatch and three other wingmen will dive down from a height of 5,000 feet to disperse the Zero.

But to tell the truth, this pitiful air cover force is a tragedy or a joke, but at that time the Americans could only get this fighter.

At 10:15, the Akagi observation post found 12 TBDs at a distance of 45,000 meters on the port side, and immediately ordered Zero to intercept them. Soon Zero, as Thatch had predicted, attacked the wildcats flying beneath the clouds, and then Thatch swooped down with his wingman, and a dogfight broke out!

There may be comrades who want to say, the wild cat and the zero battle are fighting, isn't this looking for abuse? In terms of the flight performance of the aircraft, this statement is quite true. But the most important thing in war is always people, and there are too many in the history of war to defeat the strong with the weak and the more with less.

For example, the reason why Thatch dared to fight Zero was because of the Thatch cut tactics he invented. The so-called Thatch shear tactics are actually very simple, Wildcats are certainly not opponents in zero battles alone, but team battles are different.

The core idea of Thatch's shear tactic is that two Wildcats fly in parallel, and if one of them is bitten by the Zero (which is normal), don't panic, take the tail and turn in the direction of the wingman and tell the wingman to be ready.

What are you going to do? Attack naturally. The Zero, which was following the Wildcat's steering, would soon enter the muzzle of another Wildcat flying in parallel, and all the Wildcat had to do was fire at the right time.

Of course, it is easy to say, but to implement this set of tactics well, it still requires close cooperation between two pilots. And Thatch and his wingman, Second Lieutenant Dib, worked together quite brilliantly, and it was nothing short of perfect. After a fierce engagement, Thatch and his boys lost one Wildcat but shot down five Zeros.

From the point of view of air combat, Thatch won a victory, but it was a disaster for his little buddy, the VT-3 squadron, who needed cover. Eighteen to twenty Zeros roared and pounced on Messi's squadron and concentrated their fire on the leading plane. Poor Major Macy was shot down before he could fly past the first line of air defense formed by the perimeter destroyers. According to his wingman pilot's recollection, at the last moment, Major Macy climbed out of the blazing cockpit and was standing on the remaining wings of the plane, but the altitude was too low to parachute.

Mitsuo Fuchida and his pilots stood on the flight deck, and they saw the Zero Battles shoot down torpedo planes one after another, raising their arms high and cheering victory like a wave. At this moment, a group of TBDs roared and pounced on the Akagi, but to the surprise of Mitsuo Fuchida, at the best moment of mine throwing, they finally flew to the Wyvern, and for a time Yamaguchi's flagship was almost surrounded by the torpedo track, but it was sad that none of them hit.

Let's put it this way, the 41 TBDs that took off on June 4 did not achieve any results, and only four returned to the mothership in the end, and their battle damage rate and incompetence were really the worst torpedo planes.

When the battle came to this point, the Japanese were a little relieved at this time, Nagumo Zhong no longer had the previous irritability and entanglement, in his opinion, the Americans were just like this, there was nothing to fear. It's just that he didn't know that destruction was near.

Just as the Japanese Zero was busy happily hunting TBD at low altitudes, at an altitude of 20,000 feet, Wade. McCluskey piloted the SBD to the intended interception point 142 nautical miles from the Enterprise, but to McCluskey's annoyance, he did not see the expected Japanese aircraft carrier, only the empty sea and the black smoke rising from Midway Island in the distance.

And at this time, his squadron was already running out of fuel, and he could only conduct a reconnaissance voyage for another 15 minutes at most, and he had to return after 15 minutes!

McCluskey quickly looked at the board and decided to fly another 240 nautical miles in a direction of 35 degrees before turning northwest to fly parallel to the projected Japanese fleet course. Years later, Nimitz praised: "This was the most important decision in this campaign, and he decided the outcome of the campaign!" (To be continued.) )

PS: Bow and thank you to SC-VX, zmcyhh, Knife King and Juventus comrades!