Rochefort's oft-cited problem (as commander of the Combat Intelligence Office) was that he had no clues to the target of the operation. His ability to put together the big picture helped convince him that the target, codenamed "AF", must be Midway. However, he had yet to convince his superiors at Navy Communications in Washington, D.C., namely Commander John Redman. For the latter was convinced that if any target in the Pacific warranted this fleet, it was Hawaii. Rochefort chose a trick. Utilizing the underwater telephone connection with Midway, he asked that Midway transmit, via uncoded radio traffic, a message saying that the desalination plant was out of order -- which would be a serious matter on a lonely Pacific isle full of men but lacking substantial natural fresh water supplies.
[SIZE=-1][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]The Japanese swallowed the bait, and when Rochefort's men decoded another message shortly thereafter, they were pleased to read that "AF has problems with its de-salting plant". What Rochefort was finally able to provide Nimitz with was jaw-dropping. First, he knew that the main objective was Midway, negating Admiral Yamamoto's deception at Dutch Harbor. Second, he knew of the submarine cordon, allowing him to deploy his forces prior to its installment, negating another effect of Yamamoto's plan. And third, he could mass all ships, planes, and defensive measures on and around Midway, for he need not fear any other operations.[/FONT][/SIZE]
