Positioning at the middle spot between the distance from Japan to American Western coast, the Midway island obtained its name in this way, and the name itself showed the strategic importance of the island.

The Japanese plan was to lure the United States' few remaining aircraft carriers into a trap.The Japanese also intended to occupy Midway Atoll as part of an overall plan to extend their defensive perimeter in response to the Doolittle Raid.

By the time Japan started the invasion, 3000 troops were garrisoned on the island and about 120 land-based planes were present. In the picture the US PBY Catalina reconnaissance seaplane were flying over Midway.