70 years ago - the Battle of Midway

70 years ago on June 4, 1942, one of the greatest naval battles of WWII began. Known today as the Battle of Midway, the U.S. Navy defeated an attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against Midway Atoll over the course of four days, causing significant damage to the Japanese fleet and greatly diminishing the Japanese pilot corps. A Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless preserved at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida is the only known surviving aircraft from that battle. Have a look at this fantastic interactive panoramic cockpit view of the plane courtesy of the NNAM:

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/n...TS/SBD-2/SBD-2

Midway Atoll
Attachment 2040
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, U.S. National Archives Collection.

SBD "Dauntless" dive bombers from USS Hornet (CV-8) approaching the burning Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma...
Attachment 2041
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, U.S. National Archives Collection.

Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu maneuvering during a high-level bombing attack by USAAF B-17 bombers...
Attachment 2042
U.S. Air Force Photograph.