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The Reporter Who Spilled the Secret Behind the Navy Victory at Midway

Dennis Hayes

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Published in Stanley Johnston S Blunder: The Reporter Who Spilled The Secret Behind The U S Navy S Victory At Midway

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The Battle of Midway was a turning point in World War II, and one of the most important naval battles in history. The American victory at Midway was due in part to the codebreaking efforts of the US Navy, which allowed them to intercept and decode Japanese messages. One of the key figures in this effort was Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort, the head of Station HYPO, the Navy's codebreaking unit.

Stanley Johnston's Blunder: The Reporter Who Spilled the Secret Behind the U.S. Navy's Victory at Midway

by Elliot Carlson

4.2 out of 5

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Rochefort and his team were able to break the Japanese JN-25 code, which gave the Americans a significant advantage in the battle. However, one of Rochefort's subordinates, a reporter named John Burns, leaked the secret of the codebreaking to the press, which put the entire operation at risk.

The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway was fought from June 4-7, 1942, in the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese had planned a surprise attack on the US naval base at Midway Atoll, hoping to destroy the American fleet and gain control of the central Pacific. However, the Americans had broken the Japanese code and knew of their plans. They were able to set a trap for the Japanese fleet, and in the ensuing battle, the Americans sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, one battleship, and one heavy cruiser. The Japanese lost over 3,000 men, while the Americans lost only 307.

The Codebreaking Effort

The codebreaking effort that led to the American victory at Midway was one of the most important intelligence operations in history. The US Navy had been working on breaking the Japanese code for years, but it was not until the Battle of Midway that they were able to finally break it. The codebreaking was done by a team of Navy cryptographers led by Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort.

Rochefort and his team worked day and night to break the Japanese code. They were finally able to do so in May 1942, just weeks before the Battle of Midway. The codebreaking gave the Americans a significant advantage in the battle, as they were able to intercept and decode Japanese messages and learn their plans.

The Leak

One of Rochefort's subordinates, a reporter named John Burns, leaked the secret of the codebreaking to the press. Burns was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and he had been assigned to cover the Battle of Midway. Burns learned of the codebreaking operation from one of Rochefort's subordinates, and he wrote a story about it for the Tribune.

The story was published on June 3, 1942, just one day before the Battle of Midway. The story revealed that the Americans had broken the Japanese code, and it gave away some of the details of the codebreaking operation. The story put the entire codebreaking operation at risk, and it could have cost the Americans the battle.

The Aftermath

The leak of the codebreaking secret had a number of consequences. First, it forced the US Navy to change the way it conducted its codebreaking operations. The Navy also had to take steps to protect the codebreakers from further leaks. Second, the leak damaged the reputation of the US Navy and the intelligence community. Third, the leak made it more difficult for the Americans to break the Japanese code in the future.

However, despite the leak, the Americans were able to win the Battle of Midway. The victory was due in part to the codebreaking efforts of Rochefort and his team. The Battle of Midway was a turning point in World War II, and it helped to ensure the eventual Allied victory.

The Battle of Midway was a major victory for the United States in World War II. The victory was due in part to the codebreaking efforts of the US Navy, which allowed them to intercept and decode Japanese messages. However, one of Rochefort's subordinates, a reporter named John Burns, leaked the secret of the codebreaking to the press, which put the entire operation at risk. Despite the leak, the Americans were able to win the Battle of Midway, and the victory was a turning point in the war.

Stanley Johnston's Blunder: The Reporter Who Spilled the Secret Behind the U.S. Navy's Victory at Midway

by Elliot Carlson

4.2 out of 5