Eighty years ago, the Imperial Japanese Navy took the bait and advanced to attack the US outpost on Midway. With the Allies’ (the Aussies chipped in) success at sinking four enemy carriers, the outcome of WWII was now set into motion:
- The Imperial Japanese Navy was neutralized enough that the US-led forces could keep them at bay if necessary or slowly advance on them. The latter was chosen.
- With the Pacific Front under control, the US could now focus on saving the UK’s ass. Contrary to amateur historians, the Nazis weren’t going to starve them out. Churchill’s government had an agricultural plan while they let India go hungry.
- This prevented the Soviet Union from suing for an armistice with the Nazis. They may have turned the tide at Stalingrad, but the Soviet Army was exhausted.
Hollywood once again made a movie about the historic battle before the COVID years. It was utter crap even if they didn’t cast a Jonas Brother. Screen writers must think the majority of viewers are completely stupid, sadly they’re right, yet I grow tired of sitting through some dumb, “pointless” scene knowing it come into play in the clutch! It’s right up there with the immortal, idiotic Jurassic Park‘s “This is Unix! I know this!” Known stoner Woody Harrelson as Admiral Chester Nimitz was amusing, I guess he’s ages into the more dignified roles like every English actress over 60 is obligated to play Queen Elizabeth I.
As for the one made in the Seventies with what was an all-star cast is slightly better. I think the only error was making a WWII picture while the wounds of the Vietnam War were still fresh. I recall as a kid during its release, saying a film was jingoistic crap didn’t get you threatened openly by Ammosexuals or told “oh hush,” by spineless Centrists and Liberals like today.
Both did point out one major element correctly, Midway was primarily an intelligence victory thanks to our code breakers with some serious luck; a third wave of American planes showed up while the enemy carriers were occupied with refueling and re-arming. It only took a couple bombs to ignite the decks to take out hundreds of people and dozens of aircraft.
Am I glad we won this bloody and costly battle? Obviously yes. Imperial Japan didn’t have any plans to invade America, Canada or Australia contrary to the disappointing and boring Amazon show The Man in the High Castle. They were probably still trying to find a way to salvage the original plan, consolidate what they took after Pearl Harbor and get the US to accept a truce. What I’m very happy about is the relationship the US and Japan have today. It’s not perfect and there remains some hurt feelings which heal every year. My paternal grandfather probably wouldn’t be too thrilled about my various friendships with ethnically Japanese people. And vice versa for the vets in their families. However, for all of America’s faults (the internment is a huge sin on our psyche), we’ve done an adequate job rebuilding alliances, friendships, etc. with Japan in that the newer generations won’t despise each other. One day, I hope they will forgive us for dropping two nuclear weapons on them and make sure we remain gracious victors. Plus, I want us to be true friends and not because of the cynical maxim…the enemy of my enemy, is my friend aka North Korea and China.
The French and the English used to war with each other for centuries until the culmination of the Bonapartes. Today, they’re decent allies when matters get scary. I wouldn’t call them friends, more akin to cousins who bicker over trivial things until a mutual enemy threatens them, then they work together. Again, I hope for better with Japan and I’m glad Midway helped change things for the better. I thank you all on both sides who gave your lives, now to make sure we (the living) and future generations you 3000-plus didn’t die in vain.