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"Head on at Midway" by John Greaves

Head on at Midway

USMC 2dLT William "Bill" Brooks in F2A-3 Bureau No. 01523 (MF-16) was one of the few survivors of the June 4, 1942 morning interception of the incoming Japanese attack on Midway Atoll by VMF 221. "At about 0600, the alarm sounded and we took off. My division climbed rapidly, and I was having a hard time keeping up. I discovered afterwards that although my wheels indicator and hydraulic pressure indicator both registered "wheels up", they were in reality about 1/3 of the way down." Following LT. Sandoval down the right side of the incoming Japanese formation, Brooks looked back to see a Japanese aircraft falling from his or Sandoval's fire. Losing contact with his division, he started to climb for a second attack when the Zeros attacked. Diving (slowly with partially extended landing gear) for the water, he circled the island while anti-aircraft fire drove off his pursuers.

"My tabs, instruments, and cockpit were shot up to quite an extent, at this time, and I was intending to come in for a landing. I saw two planes dogfighting over in the East, and decided to go help my friend if at all possible. My plane was working very poorly, and my climb was slow. As I neared the fight, both planes turned on me. It was then that I realized I had been tricked into a sham battle put on by two Japs, and I failed to recognize this because of the sun in my eyes. I turned and made a fast retreat for the island, collecting a goodly number of bullets on the way. After one of these planes had been shaken, I managed to get a good burst into another as we passed head-on when I turned into him."

This is the moment captured by the painting. "I don't believe he could have gotten back to his carrier, because he immediately turned north and down. I again decided to land, but as I circled the island I saw two Japs on a Brewster. Three of my guns were jammed but I cut across the island, firing as I went with my one gun. I could not get there in time to help the American flyer, and as soon as the Brewster had gone into the water I came in for a landing at approximately 0715. My plane was damaged somewhat, having 72 bullet and cannon holes in it, and I had a very slight flesh wound on my left leg."