History That Doesn’t Suck: Episode 198

"The Pacific Tide Turns at Coral Sea & Midway"

Host: Professor Greg Jackson
Release Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Professor Greg Jackson, delivers an in-depth, dramatic retelling and analysis of two pivotal naval battles of World War II: the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. Jackson weaves meticulously researched storytelling with first-person perspectives and strategic insight, illustrating how these battles marked the turning of the tide against Japanese advances in the Pacific theater. The episode closely follows the experiences of sailors and aviators, the evolution of naval warfare, the art of codebreaking, and the key moments where airpower redefined conflict at sea.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Pacific War before Coral Sea

• In early 1942, the Japanese Empire expanded rapidly post-Pearl Harbor, sweeping through the Pacific and threatening Australia (04:50).
• The Japanese launch Operation Mo to seize Port Moresby, a strategic move aimed at cutting off US supply lines to Australia (06:40).
• America's naval advantage is aided by successful codebreaking of the Japanese JN25 system, allowing them to anticipate Japanese moves (08:00).

2. Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4–8, 1942)

Humanizing the Conflict: Bill Lew’s Ordeal

• Story of Bill Lew, a fireman aboard USS Neosho, offering a ground-level view of chaos and survival during a Japanese air attack (03:30–06:20).
• Memorable Moment: Bill is saved from drowning by "an unnamed savior," showing the crucial theme of camaraderie and courage (07:30).

Significance of the Battle

• First battle in which aircraft carriers engaged each other with planes—ships never come within gun range (09:50).
• Although technically a tactical Japanese win (losses: more men but fewer ships), it’s a strategic Allied victory—the Japanese advance toward Australia is halted (11:30).
• Notable Quote: "Sea battles are now air battles. Or as Lieutenant Commander John A. Colett will put it… 'air power is sea power.'" – Prof. Greg Jackson (12:40)

3. Prelude to Midway: Japanese and American Strategy

Japanese Offensive Plans

• Japan's plan: simultaneous attacks on Alaska’s Aleutians and Midway Atoll to expand their defensive perimeter and lure the US Pacific Fleet into a trap (15:30).
• Insightful Description: Midway as "an immobile aircraft carrier in the middle of the Pacific" (18:20).

American Intelligence Breakthrough

• Led by codebreaker Joe Rochefort in Pearl Harbor’s "Dungeon," the US cracks enough of the JN25B code to identify Midway (code name "AF") as the next Japanese target (22:40–24:20).
• Memorable Quote: “I've got something so hot here it's burning the top of my desk.” – Joe Rochefort to Edwin Layton (23:32)
• The US plants a false message about Midway's water shortage; Japanese interception confirms AF is indeed Midway (27:10).
• Chester Nimitz, newly appointed U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, readies an ambush—repairs the Yorktown in just 2 days post-Coral Sea (30:00).

4. The Battle of Midway (June 4, 1942)

Japanese Launch Assault on Midway

• Admiral Nagumo leads four carriers in a surprise attack on the atoll, unaware his fleet is being stalked (33:20).
• Lt. Howard Addy is first to spot the Japanese carriers: "like watching a curtain rise on the biggest show on Earth." (34:55)
• Midway and carrier-based US fighters scramble, facing overwhelming odds; US filmmaker John Ford captures footage under fire (36:20).

First Waves of American Torpedo Bomber Attacks

• US torpedo squadrons, notably VT-8 from the USS Hornet, attack with harrowing bravery but are decimated—Ensign George Gay is the lone survivor (41:00–47:00).
• Moving Eyewitness: “Zeros were coming in from all angles... The planes of Torpedo 8 were falling at irregular intervals.” – Ensign George Gay (44:10)
• Their sacrifice, though seemingly futile, draws Japanese fighters to low altitude, setting the stage for the next critical phase.

The Decisive Dive-Bomber Attack (ca. 10:00am)

• Lt. Commander Clarence McCluskey and his 37 dive bombers spot and attack the Japanese carriers Kaga and Akagi, joined by Dick Best’s squadron (49:10).
• Thrilling Quote: “Attack, attack.” – Chief of Staff Miles Browning (49:35)
• Direct bomb hits on Kaga, Akagi, and Soryu within minutes; chaos and inferno on Japanese carriers (51:20).
• Firsthand Chaos: "When I got down, the deck was on fire and anti-aircraft and machine guns were firing automatically... Bodies were all over the place..." – Kusaka Ryunosuke (53:00)

Japanese Counterattack Sinks Yorktown

• Japanese carrier Hiryū launches a counterstrike, striking USS Yorktown with torpedoes and bombs (56:00).
• Crew Resilience: “Men from the Yorktown take off their footwear and line them up properly on the deck. That’s right. They do this even as the ship pitches all the more. What can I say? Navy discipline to the utmost.” – Prof. Greg Jackson (57:05)
• Most of the Yorktown crew is rescued; the ship eventually sinks.

Sinking the Hiryu – Sealing American Victory

• US dive bombers from Enterprise and Hornet locate and destroy the fourth and final Japanese carrier, the Hiryu (58:30–60:40).
• Metaphor Magic: “My bombs smashed into the flight deck, and like a giant hand rolling a taco, just folded it over. With the deck peeled away, I saw Hiryu’s innards.” – Dusty Kleiss (59:20)
• US pilots reflect on the cost, praying for those lost: “O Lord, won’t you please take care of those wonderful ones who loved us so much they were willing to die for us without hesitation?” – Dusty Kleiss (60:10).

5. Aftermath and Significance

Immediate Consequences

• Japanese fleet suffers catastrophic losses: four carriers sunk, over 3,000 personnel lost, shifting the strategic balance in the Pacific (60:55).
• Japanese Reaction: Yamamoto orders retreat; truth about the defeat is concealed from the public (61:50).

Importance of Codebreaking and Calculated Risk

• Admiral Nimitz’s assessment: Intelligence and calculated risk were decisive: "Had we lacked early information of the Japanese movements... the Battle of Midway would have ended differently." (62:15)
• Historian Samuel Morrison sums up Midway as “a victory of intelligence bravely and wisely applied.” (62:10)

Strategic and Psychological Turning Point

• Japan transitions from an offensive to defensive posture; the US seizes the initiative for island-hopping campaigns to come.
• “The tide is turning in the Pacific, but the fight ahead is an ugly one, a deadly one, one of horrific, gruesome battles for one Pacific island after another.” – Prof. Greg Jackson (62:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sea battles are now air battles. Or as Lieutenant Commander John A. Colett will put it… 'air power is sea power.'” – Prof. Greg Jackson (12:40)
• “I've got something so hot here it's burning the top of my desk.” – Joe Rochefort (23:32)
• “Like watching a curtain rise on the biggest show on Earth.” – Lt. Howard Addy, upon spotting the Japanese fleet (34:55)
• “We will go in. We won’t turn back. Forward strategy cannot be used. We will attack. Good luck.” – Lt. Cmdr. John Waldron (44:40)
• “My bombs smashed into the flight deck, and like a giant hand rolling a taco, just folded it over.” – Dusty Kleiss, describing bombing Hiryu (59:20)
• “We were exultant not just at the revenge for Pearl Harbor, sweet as that was, but at our renewed sense of power and superiority over the Japanese fleet.” – Unnamed US sailor (51:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Setting the Stage, post-Pearl Harbor context: 04:50
• Battle of Coral Sea, Bill Lew’s story: 03:30–06:20
• Carrier warfare and its implications: 11:30–12:45
• Japanese plans and American codebreaking: 15:30–27:10
• Preparation and deployment to Midway: 30:00–32:55
• Discovery of Japanese fleet, scramble to action: 33:20–36:20
• First US torpedo attacks, VT-8’s fate: 41:00–47:00
• Dive-bomber breakthroughs on Japanese carriers: 49:10–53:10
• Yorktown sinking, American resilience: 56:00–57:40
• Destruction of Hiryu: 58:30–60:40
• Aftermath, Yamamoto withdraws: 60:55–61:50
• Final historical analysis and US strategic shift: 62:10–62:40

Episode Tone and Storytelling

Prof. Jackson’s narration is rich with drama, empathy, and occasionally wry humor. He guides listeners through both harrowing personal stories and the strategic high-level chess game of war with clarity and energy. The recounting includes first-person recollection, vivid metaphors (“like a giant hand rolling a taco”), and recurring reminders of human cost, all in a tone balancing sobriety with narrative excitement.

Conclusion & Teaser

Prof. Jackson closes by underscoring that the Battle of Midway was not just a naval victory, but a profound strategic and moral turning point in the Pacific War—one that transitioned Japan from offense to defense and set the stage for the US’s coming island-hopping campaign. "The tide is turning," he reminds us, but future episodes promise a return to the European theater and even more world-defining stories.

For further reading and episode sources, listeners are encouraged to visit htdspodcast.com.