Question

What contributed to the American victory at Midway?

Admiral Nimitz knew that the Japanese were going to attack Midway Island.

The Japanese were not prepared for a battle fought entirely with warplanes.

Admiral Yamamoto did not mean to approach Midway.

Answer 1

Answer: Statements 1 and 2 helped cause the American victory; statement 3 is incorrect.

- 1 (True). U.S. cryptographers had broken parts of the Japanese naval code and, by late May, Admiral Nimitz knew the Japanese were planning an operation against Midway. That intelligence let him place the Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet in an ambush instead of reacting blindly.

- 2 (Effectively true). The Japanese plan and operational mistakes left their carriers vulnerable to carrier‑air strikes. Poor scouting, timing problems, and the fact many Japanese planes were being armed and refueled on deck when U.S. dive bombers arrived meant the battle was decided by air attacks — something the Japanese did not effectively guard against in that engagement.

- 3 (False). Admiral Yamamoto did intend to attack Midway as part of Operation MI; his fleet’s approach and the overall plan were designed to seize Midway and draw out and destroy the U.S. carriers.