NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Battle of the Coral Sea

The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought between the 4th and 8th of May, with most of the fighting happening on the 7th and 8th of May, 1942, was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged each other, and the first naval battle in history in which neither side's ships sighted or fired directly upon the other. The battle is considered a tactical victory for Japan since the American carrier Lexington was lost, while Japan only lost a light carrier in the battle. The Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the Allies as the Japanese abandoned their attempt to land troops to take Port Moresby, New Guinea. The engagement ended with no clear victor, but the damage suffered and experience gained by both sides set the stage for the Battle of Midway one month later. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Combatants China (from 1937) Viá»‡t Minh (from 1941) United States (from 1941) United Kingdom (from 1941) British India (1941) Australia (1941) Free France (1941) Philippines (1941) Netherlands (1941) New Zealand (1941) Canada (1941) Soviet Union (from 1945) Mongolia (from 1945) Empire of Japan Wang Jingwei Government Thailand (1942) Mengjiang... Download high resolution version (740x610, 31 KB)Battle of the Coral Sea (public domain photograph from [1], Photo 80-G-7413, 8 May 1942) An explosion is shown occurring aboard the USS Lexington. ... The fourth USS Lexington (CV-2), nicknamed the Gray Lady or Lady Lex, was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... The second USS Minneapolis (CA‑36) was laid down 27 June 1921 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched 6 September 1933; sponsored by Miss Grace L. Newton; and commissioned 19 May 1934, Capt. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... The Coral Sea is a region off the north-east coast of Australia with a namesake chain of islands (uninhabited), including the Willis, Coringa, and Tregosse Islets. ... The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_48_stars. ... The United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is a theater-level unit of the U.S. armed forces, under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Australia. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸åœ‹æµ·è» Shinjitai: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸å›½æµ·è» or æ—¥æœ¬æµ·è» Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_48_stars. ... Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Australia. ... Sir John Gregory Crace, KBE, CB (February 6, 1887-May 11, 1968) was an Australian who came to prominence as an officer of the British Royal Navy (RN). ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Shigeyoshi Inoue (1889-1975) was a Japanese admiral of the navy during World War II. He was commander of the Fourth Fleet and later Vice-Minister of the Navy. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Takeo Takagi (é«˜æœ¨æ¦é›„ Takagi Takeo, January 25, 1892 â€“ July 8, 1944) was a Vice Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Takagi commanded forces during the Japanese invasion of the Phillipine Islands, at the Battle of the Java Sea, Coral Sea and Midway. ... Four aircraft carriers, (front-to-back) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, supercarrier USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... Four aircraft carriers, (front-to-back) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, supercarrier USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences. ... The escort aircraft carrier or escort carrier, was a small aircraft carrier developed by the Royal Navy in the early part of World War II to deal with the U-boat crisis of the Battle of the Atlantic. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... An oiler is a ship, also called a tanker, that can carry a liquid cargo of petroleum, or a naval support vessel that carries fuel to other naval ships steaming at sea, and can transfer the fuel during underway RAS improved fleet operations reliability, availabiltiy and serviceability. ... Kia has several meanings: Kia Motors is a South Korean automobile manufacturer; Kia Asamiya is a popular Japanese manga artist. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by the navies of the world such as those operated by the United States Navy. ... Kia has several meanings: Kia Motors is a South Korean automobile manufacturer; Kia Asamiya is a popular Japanese manga artist. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN), Mitsuo Fuchida (IJNAS), Shigekazu Shimazaki (IJNAS) Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 planes 6 aircraft carriers, 9 destroyers, 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 8... Combatants British Army, Indian Army, Australian Army, Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Arthur Percival Tomoyuki Yamashita Strength 140,000 70,000 Casualties 5,000 killed, 50,000 prisoners of war no more than 34,000 The Battle of Malaya was a conflict between a Commonwealth army... Combatants Empire of Japan United States of America Commanders Shigeyoshi Inoue Winfield S. Cunningham Strength 2,500 infantry[1] 523 infantry, 1st Marine Defense Battalion {understrength}, VMF-211, US Navy/US Army personal, Others[2] Casualties 700-900dead, 2 destroyers, 2 patrol boats, 20 aircraft 122 dead, 49 wounded, 12... Combatants British Army Canadian Army British Indian Army Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Mark Aitchison Young Christopher Michael Maltby Sakai Takashi Strength 15,000 troops 50,000 troops Casualties 4,500 killed 8,500 POWs 2,750 killed 1,500 wounded The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific... The Netherlands East Indies campaign was the shortlived defence of the Netherlands East Indies by Allied forces, against invasion by the Empire of Japan in 1941-42. ... It has been suggested that Japanese Raids into Indian Ocean be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders James H. Doolittle Hideki Tojo Strength 16 B-25 Mitchells Unknown number of troops and homeland defense Casualties 3 dead, 8 POWs (4 would die in captivity); 5 interned in USSR About 50 dead, 400 injured Lt. ... The Solomon Islands Campaign was a large series of battles that occurred in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This was the first large-scale campaign in the War in the Pacific, and the victories achieved by the Americans in the battles of this campaign helped secure vital bases... Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... The Battle of Rabaul, around the main town of Rabaul on the island of New Britain, in early February 1942, represented a strategically-significant defeat of Allied forces by Japan, in the Pacific campaign of World War II. Following the capture of Rabaul, Japanese forces turned it into a major... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants Australia Japan Commanders Douglas MacArthur Thomas Blamey Sydney Rowell Edmund Herring Arthur Tubby Allen George Vasey Selwyn Porter Arnold Potts Hisaichi Terauchi Yosuke Yokoyama Tomitaro Horii Strength 2,000 plus reinforcements 10,000 plus reinforcements Casualties 725 killed 1,055 wounded Hundreds sick with disease 6,500 killed including... Combatants Australia, United States (engineering support and minor combat) Japan Commanders Cyril Clowes Shojiro Hayashi, Minoru Yano Strength 9,000 (half non-combat personnel) 2400 Casualties less than 200 dead 600 dead The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines... Combatants Australia, United States Japan Commanders George Vasey (Australia); Edwin F. Harding/ Robert L. Eichelberger (United States) Ken Yamagata Strength 20,000+ 7,400+ Casualties 3,500 (not counting tropical diseases); 1,300 Australian and 1,000 US personnel killed in action. ... Australian soldiers unloading transport planes at an airfield near Wau, in mid-1943. ... Combatants United States, Australia Empire of Japan Commanders George C. Kenney Masatomi Kimura Strength 39 heavy bombers; 41 medium bombers; 34 light bombers; 54 fighters 8 destroyers, 8 troop transports, 100 aircraft Casualties 2 bombers, 3 fighters destroyed 8 transports, 4 destroyers sunk 20 fighters destroyed, 5,000 troops killed... Combatants Australia United States Empire of Japan Commanders Douglas MacArthur HatazÃ´ Adachi Strength ~30,000 ~10,000 Casualties ? ? The Salamaua-Lae campaign was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Australian and United States forces sought to capture two major Japanese bases, one in... The eastern part of the Territory of New Guinea, and the northern Solomon Islands; the area in which Operation Cartwheel took place, from June 1943. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders George Kenney Kumaichi Teramoto Strength 47 heavy bombers; 30 medium bombers; 80 fighters 130 aircraft Casualties 3 destroyed 100 destroyed The Bombing of Wewak was an air raid by the United States Army Air Forces, on August 17, 1943 against the major air... The Finisterre Range campaign was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Australian and United States forces assaulted Japanese positions in the Finisterre Range of New Guinea. ... The Huon Peninsula campaign was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Australian forces assaulted a Japanese bases on the Huon Peninsula. ... Combatants United States Australia New Zealand Fiji Empire of Japan Commanders Roy Geiger Theodore S. Wilkinson Oscar Griswold Stanley Savige Harukichi Hyakutake Masatane Kanda Strength 126,000 troops,[1] 728 aircraft[2] 65,000 troops,[3] 154 aircraft[4] Casualties 1,243 dead[5] 44,000 dead[6] The Bougainville... Combatants United States, Australia, New Zealand Empire of Japan Commanders George Kenney (land air forces), William Halsey, Jr. ... Australian soldiers in New Britain in 1945 (AWM 092342) The New Britain Campaign was a World War II campaign fought by the Allies between December 1943 and the end of the war to secure and protect air bases on the island of New Britain. ... The Admiralty Islands campaign, also known as Operation Brewer, was a series of battles in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. The United States 1st Cavalry Division assaulted Japanese bases on the Admiralty Islands. ... The Western New Guinea campaign was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. United States and Australian forces assaulted Japanese bases and positions in the north-west coastal areas of Netherlands New Guinea and adjoining parts of the Australian Territory of New Guinea. ... The Battle for Australia was a series of battles fought in 1942 and early 1943 to defend Australia against Japanese attack. ... From February 1942 to November 1943, during the Pacific War, the Australian mainland and offshore islands were attacked at least 97 times by aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. ... Combatants Australia United States Empire of Japan Commanders David V. J. Blake Chuichi Nagumo Strength 30 planes 242 planes Casualties 251 killed 23 planes destroyed 10 ships sunk one aircrew confirmed killed, several missing in action, six taken prisoner; six Japanese aircraft confirmed destroyed, four probably destroyed. ... The town of Broome, Western Australia was attacked by Japanese fighter planes on March 3, 1942, during World War II. At least 88 people were killed. ... A propaganda poster calling on Australians to avenge the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by the Japanese submarine I-177 in May 1943. ... Combatants Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands. ... Combatants Australia Japan Commanders Douglas MacArthur Thomas Blamey Sydney Rowell Edmund Herring Arthur Tubby Allen George Vasey Selwyn Porter Arnold Potts Hisaichi Terauchi Yosuke Yokoyama Tomitaro Horii Strength 2,000 plus reinforcements 10,000 plus reinforcements Casualties 725 killed 1,055 wounded Hundreds sick with disease 6,500 killed including... Combatants Australia, United States (engineering support and minor combat) Japan Commanders Cyril Clowes Shojiro Hayashi, Minoru Yano Strength 9,000 (half non-combat personnel) 2400 Casualties less than 200 dead 600 dead The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines... Four aircraft carriers, (front-to-back) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, supercarrier USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences. ... The fourth USS Lexington (CV-2), nicknamed the Gray Lady or Lady Lex, was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. ... The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. ... Port Moresby town Port Moresby, (), population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ... Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties...

Background

In early 1942, having conquered nearly all of Southeast Asia in just a few months, Imperial Japan was at the apex of its power. Still reeling from a long series of humiliating defeats, the Allies were just beginning to develop the skills and gather the resources needed to survive, stem the tide of Japanese successes and eventually roll back their gains in territory. Allied strategy at this time was focused on a defensive build-up of the United States Army and Marine strength on New Caledonia (well to the south of the Solomon Islands), and Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force units in the south and east of the Australian Territory of New Guinea, just north of Australia. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... Look up ally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The United States Army is one of the armed forces of the United States and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces to global crises. ... The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...

On March 12, the Prime Minister of Japan, General Hideki Tōjō, said: March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (72nd in leap years). ... The Prime Minister of Japan (å†…é–£ç·ç†å¤§è‡£ Naikaku sÅri daijin) is the usual English-language term used for the head of government of Japan, although the literal translation of the Japanese name for the office is Prime Minister of the Cabinet. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Hideki TÅjÅ (KyÅ«jitai: æ±æ¢ è‹±æ©Ÿ; Shinjitai: æ±æ¡ è‹±æ©Ÿ; ) (December 30, 1884 â€“ December 23, 1948) was a General in the Imperial Japanese Army and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan; he served as prime minister during much of World War II, from October 18, 1941 to July 22, 1944. ...

In April 1942, Japanese forces left their new stronghold of Rabaul (on New Britain, just north of New Guinea), and launched a two-pronged strategy: an amphibious assault against Port Moresby (Operation “MO”), and another against Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. The intent was threefold: to establish control of the Solomons, initially with a seaplane base; to occupy Port Moresby (the last Allied base between Japan and Australia); and in doing these things, to bring the American aircraft carrier fleet to battle for the first time in the war. A view from Rabaul Volcano Observatory across the relatively undamaged western half of Rabaul and towards Tavurur Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, was the headquarters of German New Guinea and then the Australian mandatory territory of New Guinea from 1910 until 1937, the base of Japanese activities in the South Pacific... (This article is about the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. ... Amphibious Assault began when 17-year-old, former Kittie guitarist, Fallon Bowman was on a plane from Ontario to New Jersey, skimming through a Tom Clancy novel when she came upon the term amphibious assault. ... Port Moresby town Port Moresby, (), population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Historians remain divided about Japanese longer-term intentions. There seems little doubt Japan planned to greatly strengthen its hold on the Solomon Islands as a bastion against any future U.S. counterattacks and may have later attempted to occupy other island groups in the South Pacific in order to cut Australia off from the United States. An invasion of Australia was not planned at any time.^[2] In practice, Japanese military planning was a complex process, with ill-defined areas of responsibility and crippled by endless, bitter debates between the Imperial Army and Navy. Regarding longer-range Japanese plans in the South Pacific, there was only one certainty: whatever strategy the navy put forward would be challenged by an army counterplan. A counterattack is a military tactic used by defending forces when under attack by an enemy force. ... The Imperial Japanese Army (: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸åœ‹é™¸è» Shinjitai: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸å›½é™¸è» Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was the official ground based armed force of Japan from 1867 to 1945 when it was Imperial Japan. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸åœ‹æµ·è» Shinjitai: å¤§æ—¥æœ¬å¸å›½æµ·è» or æ—¥æœ¬æµ·è» Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... A counterplan, or counter-proposal (abbreviated CP), is a component of argumentation theory commonly exploited in the activity of policy debate. ...

Three Japanese fleets set sail: the invasion forces for the Solomons and Port Moresby, and a covering force of two large modern aircraft carriers, Shōkaku and Zuikaku (both veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor), a smaller carrier, Shōhō, two heavy cruisers, and supporting craft. Alerted by radio intercepts, the Allies knew that Japanese land-based aircraft were being moved south and an operation was impending. In opposition were three main groups: Yorktown already in the Coral Sea under the command of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, with Lexington en route, and a joint Allied surface force. The carriers Hornet and Enterprise were heading south after the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, but would arrive too late to take part in the battle. ShÅkaku (Japanese: ç¿”é¶´ shÅkaku meaning flying crane) was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of her class. ... Zuikaku (Japanese: ãšã„ã‹ã Kanji: ç‘žé¶´ fortunate crane) was a ShÅkaku-class aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN), Mitsuo Fuchida (IJNAS), Shigekazu Shimazaki (IJNAS) Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 planes 6 aircraft carriers, 9 destroyers, 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 8... ShÅhÅ (Japanese: ç¥¥é³³ shÅhÅ, meaning auspicious phoenix) was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of her class. ... The third USS Yorktown (CV-5) was lead ship of the Yorktown class aircraft carrier of World War II, sunk at the Battle of Midway. ... The Coral Sea is a region off the north-east coast of Australia with a namesake chain of islands (uninhabited), including the Willis, Coringa, and Tregosse Islets. ... Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942. ... The fourth USS Lexington (CV-2), nicknamed the Gray Lady or Lady Lex, was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. ... The seventh USS Hornet (CV-8) of the United States Navy was an aircraft carrier of World War II, notable for launching the Doolittle Raid, as a participant in the Battle of Midway, and for action in the Solomons before being mortally wounded in the Battle of the Santa Cruz... USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh US Navy ship of that name. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders James H. Doolittle Hideki Tojo Strength 16 B-25 Mitchells Unknown number of troops and homeland defense Casualties 3 dead, 8 POWs (4 would die in captivity); 5 interned in USSR About 50 dead, 400 injured Lt. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The Battle

Lexington joined Yorktown on May 1. The Japanese occupied Tulagi without incident on May 3, and construction of a seaplane base began. After fueling, Yorktown closed on Tulagi and, on May 4, launched three successful strikes against Japanese shipping and aircraft there—revealing the presence of the carrier, but sinking the destroyer Kikuzuki and five merchant ships, crippling the island's seaplane reconnaissance capability, and damaging other vessels, before retiring to the south to rendezvous with the Lexington and the newly-arrived cruisers. Download high resolution version (1000x692, 150 KB)Battle of the Coral Sea Source: Scanned from Reports of General MacArthur (1994 facsimile printing), Vol 1. ... Download high resolution version (1000x692, 150 KB)Battle of the Coral Sea Source: Scanned from Reports of General MacArthur (1994 facsimile printing), Vol 1. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... A DeHavilland Single Otter floatplane in Harbour Air livery. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ...

Land-based B-17s attacked the approaching Port Moresby invasion fleet on May 6, with the usual lack of success. Almost another year would pass before the USAAF realized that high-level bombing raids against moving naval targets were pointless. Although both carrier fleets flew extensive searches on the 6th, cloudy weather kept them hidden from each other, and the two fleets spent the night only 70 miles apart. Other Allied aircraft joined the battle, from airbases at Cooktown and Mareeba on Cape York Peninsula, Australia. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A B_17 nicknamed Sally B in England in 2001 The B_17 Flying Fortress was the first mass_produced, four_engine heavy bomber. ... May 6 is the 126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was a part of the U.S. Army during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ... Cooktown is the northernmost town on the East coast of Australia, located at 15°28′ S 145°17′ E on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. ... Mareeba is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. ... This article is about the peninsula located in the Australian state of Queensland; it should not be confused with either Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, or Cape York, Greenland. ...

That night, Fletcher, mindful his primary role was to protect Port Moresby, made the difficult decision to detach his main surface force, Task Force 44 under Australian Rear Admiral John Gregory Crace, to block the probable course of an invasion. Crace had the cruisers HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, and USS Chicago, and the destroyers USS Perkins, USS Walke, and USS Farragut. Fletcher and Crace knew exposing surface ships to attack by land-based aircraft, without air cover, risked a repeat of the loss of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse five months before. Their fears were nearly realized when the cruisers were spotted and came under an intense air attack from a squadron of torpedo bombers on the afternoon of May 7. Whether due to luck or skill, the ships escaped with few casualties and little damage. Only minutes after the Japanese raid, Crace's force was inadvertently attacked by friendly B-17s; Farragut and Perkins once again had to endure near misses. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Sir John Gregory Crace, KBE, CB (February 6, 1887-May 11, 1968) was an Australian who came to prominence as an officer of the British Royal Navy (RN). ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... HMAS Australia [1] , launched in 1927, was a County-class heavy cruiser in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). ... The HMAS Hobart was a Leander class light cruiser which served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Description The Hobart was the second of its class to be modified for Australian service, and the first to be named after the city of Hobart in Tasmania. ... The second USS Chicago (CA-29) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... The second Perkins (DDâ€“377) was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for George Hamilton Perkins. ... USS Walke (DD-416), named for Rear Admiral Henry A. Walke USN (1809-1896), was a Sims-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... This article is about one of five destroyers bearing the name USS Farragut. ... The Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse was a World War II naval engagement which illustrated the effectiveness of aerial attacks against naval forces that were not protected by air cover and the resulting importance of including an aircraft carrier in any major fleet action. ... A torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with torpedoes, but they could also carry out conventional bombings. ... May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (128th in leap years). ...

On the 7th, both fleets launched all available aircraft, but neither found the main body of the other, mistakenly attacking subsidiary enemy forces instead. Japanese aircraft found and attacked the U.S. fleet oiler Neosho and her escorting destroyer Sims, mistaking them for a carrier and a cruiser. Sims was sunk and Neosho crippled. Meanwhile, U.S. aircraft had missed Shōkaku and Zuikaku, but found the invasion fleet, escorted by the small carrier Shōhō, which was soon sunk with heavy casualties. In the previous five months, the Allies had lost numerous major warships, and had been unable to sink a single major Japanese ship in return. Shōhō was small by carrier standards, but the laconic phrase “scratch one flattop,” radioed back to the Lexington, announced the first Allied naval success of the Pacific War. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (740x610, 84 KB)Official U.S. Navy Photo #: 80-G-17031 â€” in the collection of the National Archivs Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942: Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes, during the morning of 8... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (740x610, 84 KB)Official U.S. Navy Photo #: 80-G-17031 â€” in the collection of the National Archivs Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942: Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes, during the morning of 8... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... An oiler is a ship, also called a tanker, that can carry a liquid cargo of petroleum, or a naval support vessel that carries fuel to other naval ships steaming at sea, and can transfer the fuel during underway RAS improved fleet operations reliability, availabiltiy and serviceability. ... USS Neosho (AOâ€“23), a Cimarron class fleet replenishment Oiler (ship), was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Neosho River in Kansas and Oklahoma. ... The first USS Sims (DD-409) was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for William S. Sims. ... An adverb describing the tendency to convey an idea in the smallest possible number of words. ... Four aircraft carriers, (front-to-back) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, supercarrier USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences. ... Combatants China (from 1937) Viá»‡t Minh (from 1941) United States (from 1941) United Kingdom (from 1941) British India (1941) Australia (1941) Free France (1941) Philippines (1941) Netherlands (1941) New Zealand (1941) Canada (1941) Soviet Union (from 1945) Mongolia (from 1945) Empire of Japan Wang Jingwei Government Thailand (1942) Mengjiang...

Finally, with dawn searches on May 8, the main carrier forces located one another, and launched maximum effort raids, which passed each other in the air. Hidden by rain, Zuikaku escaped detection, but Shōkaku was hit three times by bombs. Listing, and on fire, Shōkaku was unable to land her aircraft and was thus effectively put out of action. May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ...

Both American carriers were hit: Yorktown by a bomb; the larger, less maneuverable Lexington by both bombs and torpedoes. Although the latter survived the immediate damage, and was thought to be repairable, leaking aviation fuel exploded a little over an hour later. Lexington had to be abandoned and scuttled to prevent her capture. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship, either to dispose of an old vessel or to prevent the vehicle from being captured by an enemy force. ...

Crace continued to stand between the invasion force and Port Moresby. Inoue was misled by returning fliers’ reports as to the strength of the Allied cruiser and destroyer force, and recalled the invasion fleet. With Shōkaku damaged and Zuikaku short of aircraft, neither was able to take part in the crucial Battle of Midway a month later. The damaged Yorktown returned to Pearl Harbor. Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties... Satellite image of Pearl Harbor. ...

Significance

In tactical terms, the Japanese had achieved a narrow victory: one small carrier lost and a large carrier severely damaged with the remaining carrier’s air wing so depleted of aircraft and pilots that both would miss the Battle of Midway one month later, against the Americans’ loss of a large carrier and significant damage to another (but not so much that she could not be repaired in time for Midway). But from the Allied point of view, after five months of continuous defeat, a battle that came out almost even was close enough to a victory as not to matter. Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties...

In strategic terms, the Allies had won, as the seaborne invasion of Port Moresby was averted. Port Moresby was vital to Allied strategy, and could not have been defended by the ground forces then stationed there. This was the first time that a Japanese invasion force had been turned back without achieving its objective. It had a substantial effect on the morale and the strategic planning of both sides. Without a toehold in New Guinea, the subsequent Allied advance, difficult though it was, would have been much harder still. As a result, the Japanese were forced to attack Moresby overland. The consequent delay was just long enough to permit the arrival of veteran 2nd AIF soldiers to fight the Kokoda Track campaign and the Battle of Milne Bay, which in turn relieved pressure on U.S. forces at Guadalcanal. The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) was the name given to the volunteer units of the Australian Army in World War II. The 2nd AIF was formed, from 1939 onwards, to fight overseas: most army units were Militia (reserve) units and under Australian law at the time, Militia troops... Combatants Australia Japan Commanders Douglas MacArthur Thomas Blamey Sydney Rowell Edmund Herring Arthur Tubby Allen George Vasey Selwyn Porter Arnold Potts Hisaichi Terauchi Yosuke Yokoyama Tomitaro Horii Strength 2,000 plus reinforcements 10,000 plus reinforcements Casualties 725 killed 1,055 wounded Hundreds sick with disease 6,500 killed including... Combatants Australia, United States (engineering support and minor combat) Japan Commanders Cyril Clowes Shojiro Hayashi, Minoru Yano Strength 9,000 (half non-combat personnel) 2400 Casualties less than 200 dead 600 dead The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines... Operation Watchtower On August 7, 1942, the 1st Marine Division performed an amphibious landing east of the Tenaru River. ...

The U.S. Navy learned a great deal from the Battle of the Coral Sea. From the loss of the Lexington, it learned better ways to contain aviation fuel and control defensive fighter aircraft; from the attacks on the Japanese carriers, the coordination of dive-bombers and torpedo bombers was improved (though too late for Midway), and, perhaps most importantly of all, it learned that the Japanese could perhaps be beaten. Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties...

The loss of the Lexington was a severe blow, but in time, the U.S. was able to replace the ship, aircraft, and trained crew with others, superior in all aspects. The damage to Yorktown was estimated to require months in port, but she could still operate aircraft, and she was made more-or-less battle-worthy in a miracle of improvisation after just three days in Pearl Harbor. It was then able to play a vital part in one of the most important battles of the Pacific war: Midway. It would be her final battle; importantly, in that battle, she attracted torpedo assaults that might have otherwise gone to the undamaged Hornet and Enterprise.

Although Zuikaku was only slightly damaged, with only 40 aircraft left, she was in no condition to fight, and had to return to Japan to replenish her air wings. Shōkaku was severely damaged, unable to operate aircraft, and took six months to repair. Neither carrier was able to take part in the Battle of Midway. Despite the likely availability of sufficient aircraft between the two ships to re-equip Zuikaku with a composite air group, the Japanese made no serious attempt to get her to Midway. ^[3] Combatants United States of America Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchiâ€ Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties...

While Admiral Fletcher continued to command carrier forces and have a prominent role at Midway, his opposite number, Admiral Takagi, was relegated to less important assignments in the aftermath of Coral Sea. Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN Photographed on board ship, 17 September 1942. ... Takeo Takagi (é«˜æœ¨æ¦é›„ Takagi Takeo, January 25, 1892 â€“ July 8, 1944) was a Vice Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Takagi commanded forces during the Japanese invasion of the Phillipine Islands, at the Battle of the Java Sea, Coral Sea and Midway. ...

Contents

Background

The Battle

Significance

See also

References

Notes

Books

Web

Contents

Background var ACE_AR = {Site: '756743', Size: '300250'};

The Battle

Significance

See also

References

Notes

Books

Web

Background