Battle of Midway. Artwork of US dive bombers attacking Japanese aircraft carriers during the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean on 4 June 1942, during World War II. This is the attack by a squadron of Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers (blue) on three of the the four aircraft carriers sent to attack Midway Atoll. Japanese Zero fighters (green) are defending the ships, but the Japanese had been caught unawares as the aircraft were refitted with bombs for use on land targets. All three carriers shown here, Soryo, Kaga, and Akagi, were sunk. The battle was a decisive victory for the USA, and a turning point in the struggle to control the Pacific.