| U.S. Naval Air Station Midway Island. War Diary. | May 30 - June 7, 1942 | |
| IN REPLY REFER TO- |
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
| From: 30 May, 1942. | To: 7 June, 1942. |
| Original to files of N.A.S., Midway. |
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| Copies to: | (a) Chief of Naval Operations (Office of Naval Records and Library). (b) Commandant, Fourteenth Naval District. |
Lieutenant (jg) H. H. STUART. A-V(S), U.S.N.R., Historian. |
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
Note: All times are local Midway times. To obtain GCT, add twelve hours.
Search, 22 planes 200 to 020, distance 700 miles. Two contacts enemy two motored bombers. Patrol planes were attacked, 2 planes damaged. Coverage generally excellent except sector to north of 325°.
Search 208 to 020, 21 planes, 700 miles. Coverage excellent except to north of 285°. Practically zero beyond 300 miles. No contacts. Sent 15 B-17's to rendezvous, 700 miles bearing 262 degrees.
Search 200 to 020, 22 planes. Coverage excellent to 300 miles. Contact with enemy twin-engined bombers by patrol planes. They attacked, one patrol plane damaged. Sent 12 B-17's to rendezvous, 200 miles bearing 262°.
Search, 22 planes, sector 200 to 020. No contacts. Coverage excellent to 292° to average 400 to NW, excellent to north.
Search, 22 planes, 200 to 020. Coverage excellent beyond 450 miles to NNW.
0430 - All planes in commission in the air.
0843 - 6V55 reports "Investigating suspicious vessel".
0904 - FIRST SURFACE CONTACT. 6V55 sighted two Japanese cargo vessels bearing 247, distance 470 miles.
0923 - 7V55 fired upon by AA. Requested instructions.
0925 - 8V55 reports "Main Body".
0927 - 8V55 amplifies by "Bearing 26, distance 700".
0943 - 7V55 ordered to proceed to bearing 261, distance 700.
1040 - 8V55 reports six large ships in column.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
1100 - 8V55 reports 11 ships, course 090, speed 19, requests instructions. (Ordered to return to base).
1130 - 7V55 reports two cargo vessels and two small vessels, course 050, bearing 251, distance 270.
1200 - Flight 92, 6 B-17's, 4 600-lb. bombs each in the air to attack "Main body" reported at bearing 26l, distance 700.
1240 - Flight 93 off on long range search to 800 miles to expected rendezvous point, with Navy observer.
1611 - Flight 93 reports 2 AK and 2DD, distance 700, bearing 26l.
1640 - Flight 92 attacked.
1700 - Flight 92 reports hits on one BB and near misses on another.
2115 - Flight 44, 4 PBY planes, Lieutenant Richards, leader, off for night attack on transports with torpedoes.
2145 - Last Army bomber in.
22 plane search sector 200 to 020 to 700 miles. No reports on coverage.
0207 - 4V44 reports "Attacked enemy bearing 260, distance 500 miles and hid in clouds".
0210 - 3V44 sent "Attacked by enemy aircraft."
0212 - 3V44 reports "Resumed search".
0243 - 1V44 reports "Attack completed, hit large transport bearing 260, distance 500, course 080, speed 13, ten ships".
0245 - 2V44 reports "Attack completed main body".
0430 - Search planes took off.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
0440 - 16 B-17's, Flight 92, in the air. Mission, to hit group to westward.
0500 - 1 B-17 with only 3 engines working took off for Pearl.
Field clear of all heavy planes able to take off except Flight 23 which was held with engines warmed up.
0545 - 3V58 reported in PLAIN ENGLISH "Many planes heading Midway, IMI Midway, bearing 320, distance 150".
0545 - Ordered all planes off.
0550 - Many planes picked up on radar screen distance 93 miles.
0552 - 4V58 reported 2 carriers and main body ships, carriers in front, course 135, speed 25.
0555 - Air raid alarm sounded.
0600 - Ordered V92 to change target to carriers.
0600 - Field clear. All planes able to fly except J2F in the air.
0622 - Two planes on fire 25 miles to north.
0635 - Air raid on Midway started.
0637 - 4V58 reports "Am returning to Pearl Hermes unless otherwise directed".
0640 - 11V55 reports "I am proceeding to Lisianski".
0645 - 5V55 sent "I request instructions". Ordered to act at discretion.
0705 - 5V55 sent "Proceeding to Lisianski".
0710 - NPM said "ZPK you are observing improper circuit discipline".
0715 - 8V55 reports "Opposed by two enemy observation planes."
0725 - Power off. Auxiliary switched on in 30 seconds.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
0730 - 3V55 reports "Proceeding to Lisianski unless otherwise directed".
0800 - 8V55 does not answer call. (Shot down in flames).
0820 - Marine Air Group reports only 3 undamaged fighters left
0843 - 9V55 reports "4 heavy cruisers, 2 merchantmen, 2 oil-ers, destroyers, bearing 265, distance 400 miles".
0848 - Directed VP 23 to have 3 planes at Pearl and Hermes at 1500.
0900 - V92 reports attack completed, one carrier damaged.
0910 - 9V55 reports 8 cruisers, course 085, distance 320, course 265.
0915 - 4V58 attacked by single engine seaplane.
0915 - 2V44 landing at Laysan, intend to return Pearl.
0915 - Crews of 1 B-26 and 1 TBF with damaged landing gears ordered to bail out. (They came in and landed anyhow).
0921 - 3V44 requests MO's.
0930 - 1 B-26 reports "Results unknown. Heavy AA fire encountered. Dropped torpedo at carrier."
0937 - V23 told to return to Midway as soon as practicable.
0940 - TBF survivor reports run on enemy carrier. Result not observed.
0945 - Ordered B-17's load full load bombs.
0945 - 4V58 reports bearing 357, distance 210.
0951 - 6V55 reports large vessel may be enemy carrier and destroyer bearing 262, distance 330.
0952 - 6V55 reports continuing search.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
0955 - 6V55 attacked by enemy aircraft.
0958 - Marine dive bomber reported 2 hits on enemy cruiser and one on battleship. Started fires on each.
1020 - 6V92 requests immediate bearing. Ordered to steer 070.
Marine fighters report 10 bombers destroyed, 3 damaged, 4 fighters destroyed, 2 damaged, estimate 25-30, 9-10 fighters de-stroyed. Own losses 15 out of 22. Ten enemy planes shot down by AA on Midway.
1025 - Bearing 228 on Jap transmission.
1033 - 9V55 proceeding to Lisianski.
1040 - Marine dive bombers made 2 hits on aircraft carrier and one on a battleship. Fires started on both.
1100 - 5V58 attacked by enemy aircraft.
1108 - Hano 4 on 370 kcs called SOSO bearing 329.
1120 - 7V58 reports searched to bearing 344, distance 475, proceeding Lisianski.
1125 - Position in English numerals found on dead Jap bearing 239, 129 miles from Midway. (It was in latitude and longitude).
1130 - 10V55 arrived Laysan, requested instructions.
1150 - 11 HORNET VS8 landed for fuel. One landed in water.
1200 - Received report that at 0700 HORNET was at bearing 310, distance 212.
1215 - 8V92 asks was that real alarm or shall we return. (Ordered to return to base).
1215 - 3V55 at rendezvous, requested instructions.
1220 - 4V58 reports running into fog.
1225 - 5V55 requested permission to return to Midway. (Told immediately).
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
1225 - 4V58 proceeding to French Frigate Shoal.
1240 - 9V55 returning to Eastern Island.
1248 - V92 reports attack completed.
1249 - 8V92 reports circling 27-52 north, 75-50 east.
1253 - 0V92 reports proceeding to Oahu unless otherwise directed.
1257 - 1V55 proceeding to Midway.
1259 - 6V58 proceeding to Laysan Island.
1308 - 3V58 departing from Lisianski for French Frigate.
1325 - 7V55 proceeding to Midway.
1330 - 6V55 proceeding to Midway.
1330 - 4V55 at rendezvous.
1335 - 5V58 arriving Lisianski 1445.
1405 - 1V58 reports searched 700 miles, information negative, bearing 296, distance 300 miles from Midway, fuel 600. Requests instructions for rendezvous.
1421 - Ordered 1V58 to search sector 335, return to base prior 1900.
1431 - 11V58 proceeding to French Frigate Shoal.
1435 - 10V58 returning to base.
1510 - Jap transmission 335° to 341°.
1527 - Ordered V58 to report position or location and destination.
1558 - 1V58 reports 3 burning ships bearing 320, distance 170.
1609 - 1V58 reports 2 enemy cruisers bearing 320, distance 170.
1610 - Ordered V97 to attack carriers bearing 338, distance 170 from Midway. Repeated 10 times before we got a receipt.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
1610 - V92 reports burning ships are Jap carriers.
1625 - 5V58 at Lisianski.
163O - 2V58 picked up 2 men in rubber boat bearing 320, distance 150.
1700 - 11V58 sighted Gardner Pinnacle.
1745 - 1V58 reports 3 burning ships are Jap carriers, not damaged ships 2 enemy cruisers, 4 destroyers, bearing 320, distance 170.
1800 - 1V58 reports forces engaged battle distance 180, returning to base.
1820 - 1V58 reports being attacked by Zero fighters.
1830 - V92 reports cruiser left afire. Carriers no located.
1920 - 9 PT boats left Midway for the north. Also 2 from Kure.
2030 - Flight 97 returned. Scored 2 hits on burning carrier.
Near misses on destroyers.
Daily search, 10 planes, sector 250 to 020 to 250 miles. Co-verage about 100%.
0000 - Flight 102, 2 PBY5A's with torpedoes off to attack transport group.
0130 - Submarine shelled Midway. Batteries returned fire. Three hits on SS are claimed.
0415 - Submarine reports large enemy force at 28-23 N., 179-09 W, at 1417 Zed.
0430 - All B-17's in the air.
0510 - 1V102 requests MO's.
0530 - Search group in the air.
0600 - 7V55 reports 3 men in boat, 29-08 N., 178-07 W.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
0615 - V92 reports unable to locate target, unfavorable weather, verify position, advise.
0625 - Ordered V92 to proceed to Kure.
0630 - 2V55 reports sighted 2 battleships bearing 264, distance 125 miles, course 268, speed 15.
0632 - 2V55 reports ships damaged, streaming oil.
0700 - 4V58 reports 2 enemy cruisers bearing 286, distance 174, course 210, speed 20.
0719 - 7V55 reports 5 ships bearing 325, distance 200.
0735 - 7V55 reports 5 ships on course 338, speed 25, latitude 31-15, longitude 179-55.
0800 - 6V55 reports 2 battleships and one carrier afire, 3 heavy cruisers bearing 324, distance 240, course 310, speed 12.
0815 - 6V55 reports cruisers and destroyers screening burning carrier. Battleship well ahead.
0820 - 8V55 reports bearing 335, distance 250, one carrier course 245.
0821 - 10V55 reports ENTERPRISE on fire and sinking.
0850 - Submarine reports land plane out 279 1/2°, distance 570.
0945 - 10V55 reports TF 16 bearing 020, distance 90, course 270, speed 25.
1000 - V92 reports making hits on Jap battleship.
1020 - 10V55 reports TF 16 bearing 018, distance 80.
1220 - 10V55 reports destroyer rescued crew of 1V58 (23P2).
1220 - Remains of Marine Air Group, 8 dive bombers, scored one hit on damaged cruiser to westward. Lost one plane by AA fire.
1250 - 7V55 picked up man at 20-27 N., 179-17 W.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
1320 - Flight V92 in air to attack crippled carriers to northward.
1430 - V92 reports TF 16 bearing 322, distance 105, course 322, speed 25.
1430 - PT boat reports attacked by cruiser aircraft bearing 150, distance 170.
1545 - V93 on attack mission.
1610 - 1V56 reports one carrier, two battleships, three heavy cruisers, five destroyers, course 280, speed 10, bearing 325, distance 110, friendly ships.
1800 - V92 reports finding only one cruiser. Scored only near misses.
1845 - 2V56 reports being attacked by 12 enemy planes bearing 313, distance 350.
1930 - 5V93 dropped bomb bay tanks instead of bombs on enemy.
Search, sector 220 to 330, distance 600 miles. Coverage 100%.
0130 - Only 3 B-17's of V93 have returned.
0245 - 4V93 lands at sea. 2V93 never heard from on radio.
0433 - Search planes off.
08l5 - 2 men in rubber boat reported bearing 100, distance 50.
0905 - 4V56 reports empty life raft bearing 225, distance 94. No men in it. Proceeding on search.
1030 - Received information from Cincpac fixing position of enemy: 1 battleship and 5 destroyers bearing 278, distance 510, course 270 speed 10; 2 heavy cruisers, 2 destroyers bearing 263, distance 460, course 215, speed 15.
1030 - Dispatched all 17 B-17's to attack the 2 cruisers and destroyers assuming surface forces would handle others. Also expected cruisers would be joining transports.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
1105 - 6V57 bearing 280, distance 500, reports investigating suspicious vessels.
1145 - 6V57 reports 4 unidentified ships are being attacked by aircraft bearing 277, distance 525, course 200, speed 30. Under fire from AA guns.
1130 - Ordered 4, 5, 6, 7V57 to proceed to 500 miles between bearings of 265 and 285, locate and track enemy.
1145 - Dispatched 26 B-17's on attack mission to attack cruiser group heading southwest.
1200 - 6V56 ordered to rescue men in life rafts bearing 073, distance 50.
1330 - 6V57 reports force previously reported enemy battleship and enemy cruiser opposed by friendly cruisers and destroyers bearing 277, distance 550.
1345 - 3V56 reports raft bearing 255, distance 137, 2 survivors, am landing.
1445 - 1V93 reports submarine bearing 263, distance 320, course 180, submerged on sight.
1445 - 4V56 reports raft bearing 255, distance 38O, am landing.
1525 - 4V56 reports rescued 5 survivors of patrol plane, one wounded.
1530 - 1V93 reports submarine bearing 254, distance 410, course 250, submerged on sight.
1615 - 3V56 picked up 2 men from HORNET bearing 338, distance 137, also saw Jap life boats bearing 336, distance 184, empty. One survivor, Ensign Holden, saw three enemy carriers burning fiercely.
1925 - V95 reports scoring 2 hits on enemy cruiser which sank in 15 seconds.
2145 - Last Army B-17 lands. No results except cruiser. One plane reports sighting rubber boat in Lat.26-35 N., Long. 175-10 E.
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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
11V57 rescued Captain Blair, U.S.M.C.
Rescue search in addition to military search.
0445 - 1-6V58, search flight, and 1-9V56, rescue flight, in the air.
0645 - Air coverate for YORKTOWN returned. Reported YORKTOWN sunk at 0500.
0800 - 23P7 reported on ramp with two oil leaks, one in each engine.
0815 - 5V58 reported TF 16 at bearing 303, distance 340.
0920 - B-17 of Plight 95 sighted smoke signal at 175 W., 27-25 N.
1025 - 12V56 out to assist plane bearing 60, distance 50 miles.
1030 - Three B-17's of Fight 93 for Oahu.
1140 - 1V93 reports rubber raft sighted 27-00 N., 173-50 W.
Asked if any men in raft.
1225 - 1V95 reports "Do not know".
Commander Hughes notified.
1220 - 12V56 reports "Circling 23P2". Ordered to send his position to the BALLARD. (Bearing 226, distance 83 miles).
1230 - 2 PT (20 and 29) enroute Kure.
1300 - U.S. submarine attacked by Jap bomber bearing 270, distance 420.
1510 - 7V56 reports no sign of life in life raft. (Bearing 250, Distance 94.)
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