In 1993 Osprey Publishing released the 30th volume in its now legendary
Campaign series, entitled, Midway 1942: Turning Point in the Pacific.
Now, 17 years later, Osprey brings readers up-to-date with the latest
scholarship on this important Pacific War battle of World War II
(1939-1945).
The new edition clarifies many of the myths of the battle. For example:
- the contention that the Americans were outnumbered (overall true, but
not where it mattered between the two carrier forces)
- that the Aleutians operation was a diversion for the Midway operation
- that the sacrifice of the American torpedo bombers was a key to
victory
- that the battle resulted in high Japanese aircrew losses
- that the battle was a victory of superior intelligence
- that the battle was the decisive battle of the Pacific War
(Guadalcanal was a much more strategically important victory for the
Americans)
Campaign 226 gives an accurate order of battle for both sides. It
provides a detailed description and critique of the Japanese plan and
describes how it had a profound influence on the outcome of the battle.
It also provides a fresh description and analysis of the weapons,
aircrew, and doctrine of the opposing carrier air arms. The new book has
a complete set of new pictures which are keyed to the narrative.
Osprey's crack cartography team has provided three brand-new 3-D
"birds-eye-view maps" that help readers visualize the air war like never
before. And war illustrator, Howard Gerrard, has turned in three
stunning new 2-page battle scenes depicting the attack on the USS
Yorktown by Hiryu torpedo planes, the attack on Hiryu by American
dive-bombers, and the US attack of Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma.
