The Battle of Midway was a major turning point in the war against Japan and the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The Japanese operation sought to eliminate the U.S. as a strategic power in the Pacific. They hoped that another demoralizing defeat would force the U.S. to surrender in the Pacific War and thus ensure Japanese dominance in the Pacific. The Japanese plan was to lure the U.S.' Aircraft carriers into a trap. They also intended to occupy Midway as part of an overal plan to extend their defensive perimeter.