In the aftermath of the Doolittle raid, Admiral Yamamoto's plan to attack at Midway

suddenly made a lot of sense. But even as the Imperial Japanese Navy prepared for that assault,

they were also continuing their campaign in the Solomon Islands.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music Episode 3. Episode 362.

Scratch one flat top.

Last week, when we talked about the do-little raid,

I also told you about a debate in the Japanese Navy

over Admiral Yamamoto's proposal to ambush the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Midway,

versus the plan most of the Admiralty preferred, to advance down through the Solomon Islands

in the Southwest Pacific, with the goal of taking Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia,

and thus cutting Australia off from U.S. support and reinforcement.

The ultimate goal was to deny the Allies the use of the ports and airfields of northern Australia

as bases from which to attack Japanese positions in the East Indies.

The other admirals were unenthusiastic about Yamamoto's plan until the Doolittle raid,

which came in April 1942, after which it suddenly seemed logical to take Midway.

Once captured and garrisoned, Midway could serve as a forward base to defend the home islands against any future such raid. Understand, that was not

Yamamoto's primary purpose in wanting to attack Midway. He was looking to ambush the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The other admirals were more interested in Midway itself than the ambush, but no matter.

The Japanese Navy spent May 1942 preparing to assault Midway, and also to land forces in the Aleutian Islands.

They executed these operations in the first week of June.

I'll tell you how that went next week.

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