Today in World War II History—June 4, 1942

Oil tanks burning on Midway Atoll after Japanese attack, 4 Jun 1942 (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—June 4, 1942: In the Battle of Midway…

Japanese planes attack Midway Island but are driven off by US aircraft.
The first round of American aircraft attacking the Japanese fleet is decimated.
Aircraft from carrier USS Enterprise sink Japanese carrier Kaga.
Aircraft from carrier USS Yorktown sink Japanese carrier Soryu.

SBD from carrier USS Enterprise on the flight deck of carrier USS Yorktown due to fuel exhaustion, 4 Jun 1942 (US Naval History and Heritage Command)

German SS Gen. Reinhard Heydrich dies in Prague, shot by Czech resistance fighters May 27.

Movie premiere of Mrs. Miniver, starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon (Academy Award winner—best picture, best actress).

Lt. (jg) William Leonard’s F4F-4 Wildcat taking off from carrier USS Yorktown during Battle of Midway, 4 Jun 1942 (US National Archives)