The battle begins on June 4 as Nagumo's carrier force launches its air attack on Midway Island. The American base is routed but the airstrip survives, meaning Midway can still launch aircraft. The Japanese carriers are then spotted by American scouts. A massive aerial force is launched from the American carriers. Meanwhile, Nagumo is shocked to learn of a sighting by a scout plane of an American carrier, throwing his plans into disarray as he orders that the next strike wave be rapidly re-armed for an attack on the carrier.