U.S. NAVY KNEW IN ADVANCE ALL ABOUT JAP FLEET
Guessed There Would Be Feint at One Base, Real Attack at Another
The strength of the Japanese with which the American Navy is battling somewhere west of
Midway Island in what is believed to be the greatest naval battle of the war was well known in
American naval circles, reliable sources in the Naval Intelligence disclosed here tonight.
The Navy learned of the gathering of the powerful Japanese units soon after they put forth
from their bases, it was said. Although their purpose was not specically known at that time, the
information in the hands of the Navy Department was so definite that a feint at some American
base, to be accompanied by a serious effort to invade and occupy another base, was predicted.
Guesses were even made that Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians and Midway Island in th Hawaiian
group might be targets.
In Three Sections
It was known that the Japanese fleet- the most powerful yet used in this war- was broken
into three sections- first, a striking force; next a support force, and finally an occupation fleet.
It was apparent to the Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's strategists in Hawaii that the feint
would probably be made by the supporting force, the real blow struck by the striking fleet, with
the occuapation force standing by, ready to land troops as soon as defenses were broken down.
Had the attack on Midway been successful, Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Islands would
have been the next point of attack.
The advance information enabled the American Navy to make full use of the air attacks on
the approaching Japanese ships, turning the struggle into an air battle along the modern lines of
naval warfare.
Exactly how the Japanese disposed their units as between Dutch Harbor and the Midway
Islands is not known here.
How Forces Were Divided
However, before the fleet was divided for attacks on the Aleutians and Midway, the
various forces were made up approximately as follows according to Navy information here.
The striking force: Four aircraft carriers, the Akaga and Kaga of 26,900 tons each, and the
Hiry and Soryu, of 10,000 tons each.
Two battleships of the Kirishima class- 29,300 tons, with 14-inch guns.
Two cruisers of the Tone class- new 8,500 ton 6.1 inch gun ships.
Twelve destroyers.
Support Force
The same support force is described by the same source as compromising:
One aircraft carrier of the Ryuzyo class, 7,100 tons.
Two Kirishima class battleships.
Four new 8,500 ton cruisers of the Mogami class- including the Mogami, the Mikuma,
Suzuya, Kumano- with 15 guns of 6.1 inch calibers.
One light cruiser.
Ten destroyers.
Occupation Force
The occupation force included:
Four cruisers- the Chakas, Myoko, Chitore and Choda, all believed of 8,500 tons with
main batteries of 6 inch guns.
Two armored transports of the Kunikisma Maru class- converted liners.
Four to six troopships.
Eight to 12 supply vessels.
Twelve destroyers.
Ten submarines.
Well informed as it was, the Navy was on the alert for the first movements of this force.
When it turned eastward into the Pacific from the vicinity on the Chisima or Kurile Island chain all
American outposts were warned.
Real Goal Concealed
American naval dispositions were made in preparation for the various possible attacks the
Japs were believed to be planning. Up to this time the Japanese had not committed themselves to
any action. They were still in position to turn their real threat against either Dutch Harbor or
Midway. By last Tuesday the Americans were able to conclude that a feint was to be made at
Dutch Harbor.
Meanwhile, preparations among all available American forces in the vicinity of Midway
were being rushed in the hope of striking a telling blow against the Japs. The wisdom of this
course became apparent on Wednesday when the feint was made in the form of air raids on Dutch
Harbor. The same day the fleets in the Midway area commenced their now histori battle.
From: Washington Times-Herald
Date Jun 1942