Midway turning point: Ian McGibbon notes the 80th anniversary of arguably the most important battle in New Zealand's history.

• Date: 01 July 2022
• Author: McGibbon, Ian

On 4 June 80 years ago, New Zealand's fate hung in the balance. The battle fleets of Japan and the United States were approaching each other in the vicinity of Midway Island, near Hawaii. The ensuing four-day clash ended in a resounding defeat for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Four of its aircraft-carriers succumbed to US naval aircraft after American dive-bombers somewhat fortuitously found themselves over the Japanese force while it was refuelling its aircraft and unprotected by air cover. It took only a matter of minutes for them to inflict crippling damage--but the consequences would be profound and long-lasting.

This battle followed another significant clash the previous month--at Coral Sea. Two American carriers defeated a Japanese force making for Port Moresby--the first naval battle in history in which the two adversaries remained out of sight of each other. Many in New Zealand believed that Coral Sea was the battle that saved their country from the threat of invasion, but, in reality, it was Midway that was crucial to its security.

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