During the classic attack by the Enterprise's air group VB-3 attacked the Hiryu but failed to score any hits. Assume VB-3s attack was instead successful and they score a hit. Just one hit. This attack, while not as crippling as the single hit on the Akagi does cause enough damage to seriously delay and weaken Hiru's first and second counter attacks.(That's if the second can be launched at all because of the delay before the US taskforce locates and destroys Hiru.) Damaged or not the Yorktown survives Midway having maintained enough engine power to avoid the fatal submarine attack.
How does the presence of the one additional carrier effect the Pacific naval campaign for the next 6 to 12 months? Given all other parameters remain the same.
How does the presence of the one additional carrier effect the Pacific naval campaign for the next 6 to 12 months? Given all other parameters remain the same.
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