The account understands Spruance's eastward withdrawal as obedience to orders not to risk ships unduly while defending a fixed point and guarding against a trap, but still disagrees with the operational result because Japanese survivors escaped attack. American submarines also failed to shadow effectively at night until directional SJ radar was fitted more widely. The United States paid for victory with Yorktown, Hammann, 307 men, and about 150 aircraft, while Japan lost Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, and Mikuma. Japan also lost aircraft and trained personnel its shipbuilding and air-training systems could not replace quickly. The effect was strategic: the battle protected Midway, removed the threat to India described in the Admiralty account, and ended the feasibility of Japan's earlier offensive and attritional strategy.
Chapter · 33:12-36:06
From cautious pursuit to strategic reversal at Midway
British analysis questioned Spruance's eastward withdrawal, noted submarine radar shortcomings, and judged Japanese carrier losses strategically crippling.
Akagi Aircraft CarrierBattle Of MidwayHiryu Aircraft CarrierIndiaJapanese NavyJapanese ShipbuildingKaga Aircraft CarrierMidway AtollMikuma CruiserMogami CruiserNaval AttritionNaval RadarPilot TrainingRaymond SpruanceSj RadarSoryu Aircraft CarrierStrategic ReversalSubmarine ReconnaissanceSubmarinesTask Force 16US NavyUSS Hammann DD 412USS Yorktown (CV-5)