Midway (1964 game)

Midway is a board wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1964 that simulates the Battle of Midway during World War II.

Background

Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan looked to extend its defensive perimeter by attacking and occupying the U.S. base on Midway Atoll. To do this, the Japanese navy sent a strong fleet of four aircraft carriers, two battleships and a variety of smaller craft, hoping to lure the American fleet into a trap. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, cryptographers had broken their fleet code and knew about the attack. Both forces sent aircraft to scout for the enemy fleet's position, but it was American airplanes that found the Japanese fleet first. In a series of devastating torpedo and dive bomb attacks, American airplanes sunk all four aircraft carriers and a heavy cruiser, suffering a loss of one aircraft carrier themselves. It was a pivotal battle in the Pacific war, causing losses Japan would not be able to replace, and giving momentum and confidence to the Americans.

Description

Midway is a board wargame for 2 players (or more than 2 players divided into teams) that simulates the battle at the individual ship and squadron level.

Initiative in the game rests on the shoulders of the Japanese player, who must successfully invade the island of Midway with the heavy cruiser Atago within the time frame of the game. The American player seeks to prevent the Japanese player from successfully invading Midway. Both players also score points toward victory by sinking their opponent's ships.