Today in World War II History—June 4, 1942
80 Years Ago—June 4, 1942: In the Battle of Midway, Japanese planes attack Midway Island but are driven off by US Marine Corps aircraft.
At Midway, US Navy carrier aircraft attack the Japanese fleet—the first round of TBD torpedo bombers is decimated, but they draw off enemy fighters, allowing SBD dive bombers to attack. SBDs from USS Enterprise sink Japanese carrier Kaga, and SBDs from USS Yorktown sink Japanese carrier Soryu.
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).