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In an episode characteristic of the U.S. tactical intelligence effort during Midway, the attacks on this modest force had repeatedly been reported as being against one or two βbattleshipsβ. It was only later in the evening that aerial photography confirmed the sunken vessel had been the heavy cruiser Mikuma, with her damaged sister ship Mogami getting away. The brave defense of this little force over two days, and the fact that three out of the four ships eventually made it back to port, stands testimony to the professionalism and abilities of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
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