The Battle of Midway (67 page)
Commander, Cruiser Division 8, RADM Abe Haroaki, IJN
CA
Tone
(flagship), CAPT Okada Tametsugu, IJN
CA
Chikuma
, CAPT Komura Keiz
ō
, IJN
Battleship Division 3
BB
Haruna
, CAPT Koma Tamotsu, IJN
BB
Kirishima
, CAPT Iwabughi, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 10, RADM Kimura Susumu, IJN
CL
Nagara
(flagship), CAPT Naoi Toshio, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 4, CAPT Ariga Kosaku, IJN
DD
Nowaki
, CDR Yoshida Masayoshi, IJN
DD
Arashi
, CDR Watanabe Yasumasa, IJN
DD
Hagikaze
, CDR Iwagami Juichi, IJN
DD
Maikaze
, CDR Nakasugi Seiji, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 10, CAPT Abe Toshio, IJN
DD
Kazagumo
, CDR Yoshida Masayoshi, IJN
DD
Yugomo
, CDR Semba Shigeo, IJN
DD
Makigumo
, CDR Fujita Isamu, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 17, CAPT Kitamura Masayuki, IJN
DD
Urakaze
, CDR Shiraishi Nagayoshi, IJN
DD
Isokaze
, CDR Toshima Shunichi, IJN
DD
Tanikaze
, CDR Katsumi Motoi, IJN
DD
Jamakaze
, CDR Orita Tsuneo, IJN
Plus 5 small oilers escorted by DD
Akigumo
, CDR Soma Shohei
Close Support Group (4 cruisers, 2 destroyers)
Commander, Close Support Group, VADM Kurita Takeo, IJN
Commander, Cruiser Division 7, VADM Kurita
CA
Kumano
(flagship), CAPT Tanaka Kikumatsu, IJN
CA
Suzuya
, CAPT Kimura Masatomi, IJN
CA
Mikuma
, CAPT Sakiyama Shakao, IJN
CA
Mogami
, CAPT Soji Akira, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 8, CDR Ogawa Nobuki, IJN
DD
Asashio
, CDR Yoshii Gor
ō
, IJN
DD
Arashio
, CDR Kuboki Hideo, IJN
Plus an oiler, the
Nichiel Maru
Midway Invasion Force (1 small carrier, 2 battleships, 4 cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 8 destroyers)
Commander, Midway Invasion Force, VADM Kond
ō
Nobutake, IJN
Chief of Staff, RADM Shiraishi Kazutaka, IJN
Commander, Battle Division 3, Section 1, RADM Mikawa Gunichi, IJN
BB
Kongo
(flagship), CAPT Koyanagi Tomiji, IJN
BB
Hiei
, CAPT Nishida Masao, IJN
Cruiser Division 4, Section 1
CA Atago
(invasion force flagship), CAPT Ijuin Matsuji, IJN
CA
Chokai
, CAPT Hayakawa Mikio, IJN
Commander, Cruiser Division 5, VADM Takagi Takeo, IJN
CA Myoko
(flagship), CAPT Miyoshi Teruhiki, IJN
CA Haguro
, CAPT Mori Tomoichi, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 4, RADM Nishimura Sh
ō
ji, IJN
CL
Yura
(flagship), CAPT Sato Shir
ō
, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 3, CAPT Tachibana Masao, IJN
DD
Murasame
, CDR Suenaga Naoji, IJN
DD
Samidare
, CDR Matsubara Takisaburo, IJN
DD
Harusame
, CDR Kamiyama, IJN
DD
Yudachi
, CDR Kikkawa Kiyoshi, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 9, CAPT Sat
ō
Yasuo, IJN
DD
Asagumo
, CDR Iwahashi T
ō
ru, IJN
DD
Minegumo
, CDR Suzuki Yasuatsu, IJN
DD
Natsugumo
, CDR Tsukamoto Moritar
ō
, IJN
Commander, Escort Carrier Group, CAPT Obayahi Sueo, IJN
Light Carrier
Zuih
ō
,
CAPT Obayashi
Commander, Fighter Planes (Kansen Buntai), LT Hidaka Moriyasu, IJN
Commander, Torpedo Planes (Kanko Buntai), LT Matsuo Kaji, IJN
DD
Mikazuki
, LCDR Maeda Saneho, IJN
The Midway Invasion force was accompanied by 4 oilers and a supply ship.
Transport Group (1 light cruiser, 10 destroyers, 13 transports)
Commander, Transport Group, RADM Tanaka Raiz
ō
, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2, RADM Tanaka
CL
Jintsu
(flagship), CAPT Kozai Toraz
ō
, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 15, CAPT Sat
ō
Torajir
ō
, IJN
DD
Kuroshio
, CDR Ugaki Tamaki, IJN
DD
Oyashio
, CDR Arima Tokikichi, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 16, CAPT Shibuya Shir
ō
, IJN
DD
Yukikaze
, CDR Tobita Kenjir
ō
, IJN
DD
Amatsukaze
, CDR Hara Tameichi, IJN
DD
Tokitsukaze
, CDR Nakahara Giichir
ō
, IJN
DD
Hatsukaze
, CDR Takahashi Kameshir
ō
, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 18, CAPT Mikyasaka Yoshito, IJN
DD
Shiranuhi
, CDR Akasawa Jisuo, IJN
DD
Kasumi
, CDR Tomura Kiyoshi, IJN
DD
Kagero
, CDR Yokoi Minoru, IJN
DD
Arare
, CDR Ogata Tomoe, IJN
Commander, Landing Force, COL Ichiki Kiyonao, IJA
(5,000 soldiers carried in 13 transport and supply ships)
Submarine Force (15 submarines)
Commander, Submarine Force, VADM Komatsu Teruhishi, IJN
Chief of Staff, RADM Mito Hisashi, IJN
Commander, Submarine Squadron 3, RADM Kono Chirnaki, IJN
Submarine Division 11
I-174, LCDR Kusaka Toshi, IJN
I-175, LCDR Uno Kameo, IJN
Submarine Division 12
I-168, LCDR Tanabe Yahachi, IJN
I-169, LCDR Watanabe Katsuji, IJN
I-171, LCDR Kawasaki Rokuro, IJN
Submarine Division 13 (CAPT Miyazaki Takeharu)
I-121, LCDR Fujimori Yasuo, IJN
I-122, LCDR Norita adatoshi, IJN
I-123, LCDR Ueno Toshitake, IJN
Commander, Submarine Squadron 5, RADM Tadashige Daigo, IJN
Submarine Division 19 (CAPT Ono Ry
ō
jir
ō
)
I-156, LCDR Ohashi Katsuo
I-157, LCDR Nakajima Sakae, IJN
I-158, LCDR Kitamura Soshichi, IJN
I-159, LCDR Yoshimatsu Tamori, IJN
Submarine Division 30 (CAPT Teraoka Masao)
I-162, LCDR Kinashi Takakuzu, IJN
I-165, LCDR Harada Hakue, IJN
I-166, LCDR Tanaka Makio, IJN
The Aleutians Force (5th Fleet) (1 carrier, 1 light carrier, 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers)
Commander, Aleutians Force, VADM Hosogaya Moshir
ō
, IJN
Chief of Staff, CAPT Nakazawa Tasuku, IJN
CANachi
(flagship), CAPT Kiyota Takahiko, IJN
DD
Inazuma
, CDR Takeuchi Hajime, IJN
DD
Irazuchi
, LCDR Kudo Shunsaku, IJN
Commander, 2nd Carrier Striking Force, RADM Kakuta Kakuji, IJN
Light Carrier
Ry
ū
j
ō
(flagship), CAPT Kato Tadao, IJN
Commander,
Ry
ū
j
ō
Air Group, LT Kobayashi Minoru, IJN
Commander, Fighter Planes (Kansen Buntai), LT Kobayashi
Commander, Torpedo Planes (Kanko Buntai), LT Yamagami Masayuki, IJN
CV
Jun’y
ō
,
CAPT Ishii Shizue, IJN
Commander
Jun’y
ō
Air Group, LT Shiga Yoshio, IJN
Commander, Fighter Planes (Kansen Buntai), LT Shiga
Commander, Bombing Force (Kanbaku Buntai), LT Abe Zenji, IJN
Cruiser Division 4, Section 2
CA Maya, CAPT Nabeshima Shunsaku, IJN
CA
Takeo
, CAPT Asakura Bunji, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 7, CAPT Konishi Kaname, IJN
DD
Akebono
, LCDR Nakagawa Minoru, IJN
DD
Ushio
, CDR Uesugi Yoshitake, IJN
DD
Sazanami
, LCDR Uwai Hiroshi, IJN
Attu Invasion Force (1 light cruiser, 4 destroyers, plus transports)
Commander, Attu Invasion Force, RADM
Ō
mori Sentar
ō
CL Abukuma
(flagship), CAPT Murayama Seiroku, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 21, CAPT Shimizu Toshio, IJN
DD
Wakaba
, LCDR Kuroki Masakichi, IJN
DD
Nenohi
, LCDR Terauchi Sabur
ō
, IJN
DD
Hatsuharu
, CDR Makino Hiroshi, IJN
DD
Hatsushimo
, LCDR Migihama Satoru, IJN
Army North Seas Detachment (1,200 soldiers), MAJ Hozumi Matsuoshi, IJA Plus 3 oilers, 3 supply ships, and 2 minelayers
Kiska Invasion Force (2 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, 4 support vessels, 3 minesweepers)
Commander, Kiska Invasion Force, CAPT Ono Takeji, IJN
Cruiser Division 21
CL
Kiso
, CAPT Ono
CL
Tama
, CAPT Kawabata Masaharu, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 6, CAPT Yamada Yusuke, IJN
DD
Hibiki
, LCDR Ishii Hagumu, IJN
DD
Atatsuki
, CDR Takasuka Osamu, IJN
DD
Hokaze
, LCDR Tanaka Tom
ō
, IJN
Plus 4 support vessels and 3 minesweepers
Submarines Assigned to Aleutians Group (6 submarines)
Commander, Submarine Squadron 1, RADM Yamazaki Shigenaki, IJN
I-9 (flagboat), CDR Fujii Akiyoshi, IJN
Submarine Division 2, CAPT Imazato Hiroshi, IJN
I-15, CDR Ishikawa Nobuo, IJN
I-17, CDR Nishino Kozo, IJN
I-19, CDR Narahara Seigo, IJN
Submarine Division 4, CAPT Nagai Mitsuru
I-25, CDR Togami Meiji, IJN
I-26, CDR Yokota Minoru, IJN
Aleutians Guard Force (4 battleships, 2 light cruisers, 12 destroyers)
Commander, Guard Force, VADM Takasu Shir
ō
, IJN
Chief of Staff, RADM Kobayashi Keng
ō
, IJN
Battleship Division 1
BB
Hyuga
(flagship), CAPT Matsuda Chiaki, IJN
BB
Ise
, CAPT Takeda Isamu, IJN
BB
Fuso
, CAPT Kinoshita Mitsuo, IJN
BB
Yamashiro
, CAPT Kogure Gunji, IJN
Commander, Cruiser Division 9, RADM Kishi Fukuji, IJN
CL
Kitakami
(flagship), CAPT Norimitsu Saiji, IJN
CL Oi, CAPT Narita M
ō
ichi
Commander, Destroyer Division 20, CAPT Yamada Yuji, IJN
DD
Agagiri
, CDR Maekawa Nisaburo, IJN
DD
Yugiri
, CDR Motokura Masayoshi, IJN
DD
Shirakumo
, CDR Hitomi Toyoji, IJN
DD
Amagiri
, CAPT Ashida Buichi, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 24, CAPT Hirai Yasji, IJN
DD
Umikasa
, CDR Sugitani Nagahide, IJN
DD
Yamakaze
, CDR Hamanaka Shuishi, IJN
DD
Kawakase
, CDR Wakabayashi Kazuo, IJN
DD
Suzukaze
, CDR Shibayama Kazuo, IJN
Commander, Destroyer Division 27, CAPT Yoshimura Matake, IJN
DD
Ariake
, CDR Yoshida Sh
ō
ichi, IJN
DD
Yugure
, CDR Kamo Kiyoshi, IJN
DD
Shigure
, CDR Seo Noboru, IJN
DD
Shiratsuyu
, LCDR Hashimoto Kimmatsu, IJN
How Much Did the U.S. Know
of Japanese Plans?
Though it was long kept a secret, the contribution of the code breakers to American victory in the Battle of Midway is now well known. At the center of that story, however, is a continuing mystery about a particular message: the detailed twelve-part Japanese operational order dated May 20 that Joseph Rochefort says he took with him to the meeting with Chester Nimitz on May 25. According to the oral testimony of several cryptanalysts at both Melbourne and Pearl Harbor who claim to have seen it, this message contained the complete Japanese order of battle as well as their prescribed route, the bearing to Midway, and even the timing of the air attack. In many subsequent histories of the battle, this document is credited with giving the Americans the decisive edge against their superior foe and making American victory not only possible but even inevitable.
*
The problem is that no copy of this intercept has survived.
At least six men later testified that they saw and handled the document. Petty Officer Bill Tremblay, who found it, Lieutenant Commander Gil Richardson, the duty officer at FRUMEL, who sent it on to Hypo, Ensign (later Rear Admiral) Ralph Cook who was at FRUMEL during the effort to break the message, Ensign (later Rear Admiral) Donald “Mac” Showers, and Lieutenant (later Captain) Jasper Holmes at FRUPAC, who worked on it, and of course Commander (later Captain) Joseph Rochefort, who took it with him to his meeting with Nimitz on May 25. It is improbable that all six men should invent such a document and cling to the story of it so consistently over seventy years. Nevertheless, the document itself has never been found. Such a mystery has led some scholars to wonder if it ever existed at all.
Edwin Layton, who was the person in the best position to know, insisted for the rest of his life that no such document ever existed and, moreover, that the code breakers
never had the complete Japanese order of battle for Midway. In an interview with Etta Belle Kitchen on May 31, 1970, Layton declared emphatically that “everything that has been written about that is absolutely, unqualifiedly false,” and that “there was no such message.” When Kitchen pressed him, asking “to make it perfectly clear, [that] there never was a complete battle order as it reported in some of the books,” Layton replied: “Never was. Not available to us” (Layton Oral History, 125–27).
Why, then, do so many people remember it? An investigation of the Layton Papers at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, suggests a possible explanation. Layton kept a personal (and highly confidential) journal during his time as Nimitz’s intelligence officer. The physical journal itself offers insight into the kind of mind that is drawn to cryptanalysis, for it is written in four colors and in tiny—almost microscopic—handwriting; reading it today requires the use of a magnifying glass. In this journal, Layton carefully recorded all the intercepted messages that he considered important each day. There is no record in that journal of a unified twelve-part message on May 20, but it does indicate a dramatic upswing in the volume of message traffic that day. Some of the messages concerned a planned Japanese “fleet exercise,” but a dozen others obviously referred to a forthcoming operation. One revealed the presence of “occupation forces” for both Midway and Alaska. Another mentioned that Japanese forces would approach the target from the northwest. As the Hypo analysts worked on these messages, the results would have been collated and compared so that Rochefort could present the collected findings to Nimitz. Very likely, therefore, the men who achieved this intelligence coup recalled their effort as having focused on a single message rather than a group of shorter messages. If so, instead of one lengthy and detailed operational order, the May 20 decrypt remembered by several of the Hypo analysts and reported in several histories of the battle may well have been a composite of a dozen shorter messages.
