Midway

Overview

Midway is a two-player naval wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1964, simulating the Battle of Midway during World War II. One player commands the Japanese fleet and the other the American forces. The game combines hidden movement with tactical naval and air combat. Players search for each other’s fleets using patrol aircraft, then launch air strikes to sink enemy carriers. The game includes search, air strikes, anti-aircraft fire, and damage resolution.

Components

• 1 mounted strategic search board (22”x24”)
• 1 tactical battle board (22”x24”)
• Approximately 120 counters (ships, aircraft, markers)
• Divider screen
• 24-page rulebook
• Hit record pad
• Dice

Setup

1. Place the search board with the divider screen between players so neither can see the other’s side.
2. Each player deploys their fleet on their side of the search board secretly.
3. The Japanese player sets up attack forces heading toward Midway.
4. The American player positions their carrier task forces.
5. Place patrol aircraft counters.

Turn Structure

Each turn represents several hours:

1. Search Phase: Both players conduct air searches to locate enemy fleets.
2. Air Operations Phase: Launch air strikes against located enemy fleets.
3. Battle Resolution: Resolve air strikes on the tactical board.
4. Movement Phase: Move fleet counters on the search board.
5. Recovery Phase: Land and rearm aircraft.

Actions

Searching

• Deploy patrol aircraft to search specific sectors.
• Roll dice to determine if enemy fleets are detected.
• Contact reports reveal approximate enemy positions.

Air Strikes

• Launch bombers and torpedo planes from carriers toward enemy fleet positions.
• Aircraft must reach the target area to attack.

Combat

• On the tactical board, resolve air strikes.
• Anti-aircraft fire from defending ships.
• Dive bombers and torpedo bombers make attack runs.
• Roll dice against hit tables to determine damage.

Fleet Movement

• Move task forces on the strategic search board.
• Wind direction affects carrier operations.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory is determined by the relative losses of both sides:

• Sinking enemy aircraft carriers is the primary objective.
• Controlling Midway Island is a secondary objective.
• The player who inflicts greater strategic losses wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Hidden movement means fleets are only visible when detected by searches.
• Aircraft have limited fuel and must return to carriers.
• Damaged carriers cannot launch or recover aircraft.
• The divider screen is essential to maintain the fog of war.
• The 1991 edition has updated rules (48 pages).

Player Reference

Turn: Search -> Launch air strikes -> Resolve combat -> Move fleets -> Recover aircraft

Key objective: Sink enemy aircraft carriers

Hidden movement: Fleets are invisible until detected by patrol aircraft

Combat: Dice-based hit resolution using tactical board