Why the Japanese Lost the Battle of Midway Isom. Why didn't the Japanese launch a bomber strike against the American carrier force before being attacked and destroyed by U.S. dive bombers from the Enterprise and Yorktown? Through primary records and interviews with dozens of Japanese veterans from the carrier air groups, this book examines why the Japanese - with an overwhelming advantage in firepower - lost the Battle of Midway. 432 pages, 18 B&W photographs and 2 maps, 6½"x 9¼", hardcover. #0020325