Scientists discovered a second Japanese warship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Sunday – which sank almost 80 years ago during the Battle of Midway in the Second World War.
US Scientists have discovered a Japanese aircraft carrier that was sunk during a crucial air and sea battle in 1942. A team of scientists on board the Petrel research vessel had surveyed more than 500 square nautical miles when it discovered the Kaga aircraft carrier. Seven warships – five Japanese and two American – went down during the 1942 Battle of Midway, which resulted in a decisive victory for the US during the Second World War.
After the devastating attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, Japan, which was at the time allied with Nazi Germany, planned to stage another surprise attack on US naval forces; however, US intelligence intercepted a Japanese coded message and after deciphering it, managed to ambush the enemy. During the battle, US dive bombers severely damaged the Kaga aircraft carrier and when the Japanese realised that the vessel couldn’t be saved, they torpedoed the ship to prevent her from falling into enemy hands. Historians say that the US victory at Midway contributed significantly to Japan’s ultimate defeat during the World War II.
