(smart aleck!)
You are referring to the B-17s, B-26s, TBFs, and SBDs based at Midway and were launched the initial attack, I take it. The main effect that these aircraft had, from what I understand, was to set the Japanese formation into disarray. The carrier aircraft from Yorktown, Hornet, and Enterprise delivered the killing blows, unless I am mistaken, which I may very well be.