What is the significance of the Battle of Coral Sea?

Answer 1

The Japanese planned to seize New Guinea, the big and valuable Allied port on Papua's southern coast called " Port Moresby, and to Australia's northeast, the Island of Tulagi along the Solomon chain. By doing this, the Japanes could build airfields on Tulagi to control allied shipping lanes between America and Australia, and enlarge the Japanese empire defensive ring.

The defence of Port Moresby was critical to victory in the south Pacific and to the defence of Australia. Had Port Moresby fallen, it would have left northern Australia more vulnerable to attack.

Singapore had already fallen, Rabaul (PNG) had already fallen, and the Japanese troops were getting much closer. Over the period of a year or more, Darwin and northern parts of Australia experienced periodic bombings from the Japanese.

Codebreakers were the biggest reason for the battle. U.S. codebreakers had begun to unravel the Japanese code. It pointed to a large Japanese naval movement in that area as they prepared to take the more islands and move closer to Australia. The U.S. shifted two of their carriers to that area and eventually the battle came about. The Japanese were not expecting that kind of opposition and their loses there had a direct impact on the Battle of Midway.

In May 1942, a Japanese invasion fleet departed Rabaul for Port Moresby, and the Battle of the Coral Sea began. It was a very real threat which was only turned back by the US aircraft leaving from carriers. After being turned back by the US, the Japanese then turned their attention to an attack over the Owen Stanly Range via the Kokoda Track, which linked the northern and southern coasts of Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the Papua New Guinean natives assisting the Australians and the US troops, the Japanese were turned back, having to retreat to bases at Buna, Gona and Sanananda, where they were eventually defeated.
The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought to stop the Japanese from invading Australia. Further details The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought by United States and Australian troops to stop the Japanese troops from landing on Papua New Guinea, with the ultimate aim of stopping the Japanese from gaining more territory in the Pacific. If the Japanese had gained a foothold in New Guinea, they could then have used that as a staging post from which to launch attacks against points along the northern Australian coastline. The Japanese were also keen to gain this foothold because it would have cut sea links between Australia and the United States, stopping the movement of supplies and troops. The Japanese would have been with free reign in the Pacific area.
Following the collapse of American military power in the Pacific in December 1941, the Japanese swept all before them. The colonial possessions of America, Britain, and the Netherlands were all seized. While spectacular, these conquests left the Japanese military extended. Geographically the furthest penetration of the Japanese was towards the Bismark Islands and New Guinea. The Japanese had a rough plan to seize these islands, thereby placing themselves in a position between the USA and Australia. With Britain largely out of the Pacific war, they were in no position to help Australia. If Japan could cut the last major support group for Australia, it was probable that Australia would agree to quit the fight - not just against Japan but Germany as well. Additionally, as goes Australia, so goes New Zealand. While this was hardly a war winning strategy it was important locally. As it was the USA, using Marines, fought the Japanese to a standstill at Guadalcanal. The Battle of Coral Sea was the nearby sea battle fought to see if the Japanese could continue to press forward. Both battles were largely a stalemate but the goals of the American forces were achieved - Japanese expansion was stopped. Again, being over-extended, the Japanese were forced to retreat/consolidate. Forces were withdrawn from Gaudalcanal. The Japanese fleet was pulled back. The threat to Australia was ended. Thereafter, Australian forces became an important part of the war effort against the south Pacific Japanese forces.

Answer 2

The Battle of the Coral Sea, May 4 to May 8, 1942, was a major naval battle fought in the Pacific during World War II, between the Japanese Navy and the naval and air forces of the US and Australia.

The battle occurred when the Japanese were still attempting to expand their control over the South Pacific. They sent occupation forces to the island of Tulagi, and planned to invade New Guinea at Port Moresby. They occupied Tulagi without resistance.

Unfortunately for the Japanese, the US aircraft carrier Yorktown had entered the Solomon Islands before Japanese submarines had begun watching for them. In the ensuing air attacks, 4 Japanese ships were sunk and 4 damaged. The Japanese, now aware of the US presence, sent two more carriers into the Coral Sea, even as three more US carriers arrived (Lexington, Enterprise, and Hornet). The US Navy had decided to contest Port Moresby with all available carriers, and the result was a carrier battle that left one US carrier sunk, and one damaged, while the Japanese lost a light carrier and two other carriers were taken out of action. The invasion of Port Moresby was cancelled, and a smaller Japanese carrier force met disaster at the Battle of Midway a month later.

Answer 3

It was the first carrier on carrier engagement. The commanders never saw each others ships and the fighting was done from a distance. This set a model from which many other Naval battles were fought.

Another importance is that it marked the start in the decline of skilled Japanese pilots. They virtually ran out of pilots by the end of the war.

Most historians argue that this battle stunted Japanese aggression southward and marked the beginning of the slow retreat.

Answer 4

Battle of the Coral Sea was the first time the Japanese Navy clashed with USN carriers and naval air power. Although seemingly a loss for both sides it started the victory of US naval air power over the Japanese. This was further shown at Midway soon after when Japanese air power was signifcantly hurt. These two battles turned the tide of Japanese naval power towards ultimate defeat.

Answer 5

First clash of carriers.

Answer 6

In the Coral Sea.

Answer 7

4th-8th may 1942