MIDWAY

Written By: Alpha Industries

The Battle of Midway was a decisive WWII naval battle in the Pacific, which took place June 4-7 1942, six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During this pivotal battle, the U.S. Navy defeated the attacking Imperial Japanese Navy, inflicting damage to the Japanese fleet that would ultimately prove irreversible. It has been referred to by military historians as “the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare". 

The attack on Midway was intended by the Japanese to further weaken the U.S. Pacific fleet and demoralize U.S. forces. The end goal was Japanese dominance in the Pacific. In capturing Midway, the Japanese would gain a launching point for further attacks on U.S. territories, and ultimately an attack on the U.S. mainland. This plan depended on the element of surprise, which would ensure that the U.S. Pacific fleet would arrive too late and of inefficient strength to defend the island. However, in the weeks prior to the attack on Midway, American cryptographers were able to decipher a part of the Japanese code, and obtained the date and time of the planned attack. This allowed the U.S. Navy to prepare an ambush, bringing in additional forces, ships, and planes. 

Thanks to advanced warning, the skill of the U.S. Navy’s aviators, and missteps on the part of the Japanese Navy command, the U.S. claimed victory at Midway, sinking four carriers in the Japanese fleet. Additionally, the U.S. Naval base at Midway, though damaged, remained operational as a vital vantage point for the U.S. in the Pacific for the remainder of the war. The Japanese Navy never fully recovered from the losses sustained during the battle, which paved the way for a U.S. victory in the Pacific front of  WWII.In theaters November 8th, MIDWAY follows the story of U.S. Navy sailors and aviators who persevered through the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, the elation and daring of Doolittle's Raid, and finally, the Battle of Midway itself. Watch the full trailer below.

In honor of MIDWAY’s release, we are giving you and a friend a chance to win the modern version of the WWII-era classic, the B-3 Sherpa. Here’s how to enter to win your own B-3 Sherpa Mod:

1. Make sure you are following @alphaindustries and @midwaymovie on Instagram

2. Like this post 

3. Tag a friend in the comments 

Giveaway ends on November 3rd at 11:59PM EST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on November 4th. Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win.