In the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942), U.S. naval airplanes thwarted Japanese plans to occupy Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby, also referred to as Pom City or simply Moresby, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea and the largest city in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the south-western coast of the Papua…
USS Yorktown (CV-5)
USS Yorktown (CV-5) was an aircraft carrier commissioned in the United States Navy from 1937 until she was sunk at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Yorktown played an important part in the battle, assisting in the destruction of multiple enemy aircraft carriers, and absorbing the majorit…
What happened at the Battle of the Coral Sea?
The Battle of the Coral Sea, from 4 to 8 May 1942, was a major naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and naval and air forces of the United States and Australia.
How did the Japanese take over the Coral Sea?
By the end of April 1942 the Japanese were ready to assert control of the Coral Sea (between Australia and New Caledonia) by establishing air bases at Port Moresby in southeastern New Guinea and at Tulagi in the southern Solomons. Allied… …other out, and the four-day Battle of the Coral Sea ensued.
How many aircraft carriers were destroyed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
During the battle the Allies would lose: one fleet carrier, one carrier damaged, one oiler, one destroyer, 69 aircrat, and 656 killed. The Japanese would lose: One light carrier destroyed, one carrier severely damaged, one destroyer and three small naval ships, one transport damaged,...
How many aircraft were in the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Battle of the Coral Sea – Lest We Forget, online documentary released in 2010. ^ U.S. carrier aircraft numbers by ship the morning of 7 May: Lexington- 35 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 12 Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers, 19 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighters; Yorktown- 35 SBD, 10 TBD, 17 F4F-3 ( Lundstrom 2005b, p. 190).
What were the losses in the Battle of the Coral Sea?
One carrier destroyed, one damaged, one oiler and one destroyer sunk, 66 aircraft lost, and 543 men killed or wounded.
What happened in the naval battle at Coral Sea in May 1942?
On May 5 and 6, 1942, opposing carrier groups sought each other, and in the morning of May 7 Japanese carrier-based planes sank a U.S. destroyer and an oiler. Fletcher's planes sank the light carrier Shoho and a cruiser.
What was significant about the Battle of the Coral Sea?
In the end, the Battle of Coral Sea has often been overshadowed by the events a month later at Midway. Yet it stands on its own as a very important contest. It was the world's first carrier-vs. -carrier battle, and the first naval battle in which neither side's ships sighted the others.
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea so significant?
The Battle of the Coral Sea provided the first opportunity for the US Navy to challenge the Japanese Navy with roughly equivalent forces. In the interwar period the US Navy had trained for long range strikes by carrier-based aircraft and this battle was the proving ground for this capability.
What happened in the naval battle at Coral Sea in May 1942 quizlet?
The first check to Japanese expansion came on May 7 8, 1942, in the Battle of the Coral Sea, where U.S. aircraft carriers halted a Japanese thrust toward Australia and confirmed that the U.S. Navy could fight effectively.
What was the historical significance of the Battle of Coral Sea quizlet?
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea important? The Battle of Coral Sea was important because it successfully blocked the Japanese forces from invading Australia.
What happened on the first day of the Battle of Coral Sea?
May 4, 1942Battle of the Coral Sea / Start date
Who won the Battle of the Coral Sea ww2?
The resulting maneuvers and clashes between two U.S. Navy task forces and a combined U.S.Australian cruiser force with the Japanese Carrier Strike Force and supporting units resulted in a Japanese tactical victory.
What was the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Battle of the Coral Sea, (May 4–8, 1942) World War II naval and air engagement in which a U.S.
What was the name of the battle that the Japanese fought in the Coral Sea?
Battle of Leyte Gulf. October 23, 1944 - October 26, 1944. Battle of Okinawa. April 1, 1945 - June 21, 1945. keyboard_arrow_right. By the end of April 1942 the Japanese were ready to seize control of the Coral Sea (between Australia and New Caledonia) by establishing air bases at Port Moresby in southeastern New Guinea and at Tulagi in ...
What carrier did Fletcher's planes sank?
Fletcher’s planes sank the light carrier Shoho and a cruiser. The next day Japanese aircraft sank the U.S. carrier Lexington and damaged the carrier Yorktown, while U.S. planes so crippled the large Japanese carrier Shokaku that it had to retire from action.
What happened in 1942?
On May 5 and 6, 1942, opposing carrier groups sought each other, and in the morning of May 7 Japanese carrier-based planes sank a U.S. destroyer and an oiler. Fletcher’s planes sank the light carrier Shoho and a cruiser. The next day Japanese aircraft sank the U.S. carrier Lexington and damaged the carrier Yorktown, while U.S. planes so crippled the large Japanese carrier Shokaku that it had to retire from action. So many Japanese planes were lost that the Port Moresby invasion force, without adequate air cover and harassed by Allied land-based bombers, turned back to Rabaul. The four-day engagement was a strategic victory for the Allies. The battle, which U.S. Adm. Ernest J. King described as “the first major engagement in naval history in which surface ships did not exchange a single shot,” foreshadowed the kind of carrier warfare that marked later fighting in the Pacific War.
What was the name of the battle that turned back the Japanese?
See Article History. Battle of the Coral Sea, (May 4–8, 1942) World War II naval and air engagement in which a U.S. fleet turned back a Japanese invasion force that had been heading for strategic Port Moresby in New Guinea. Battle of the Coral Sea. Smoke billowing from the carrier USS Lexington following a hit by Japanese bombers in the Battle ...
What was the first major engagement in naval history in which surface ships did not exchange a single shot?
Ernest J. King described as “the first major engagement in naval history in which surface ships did not exchange a single shot,” foreshadowed the kind of carrier warfare that marked later fighting in the Pacific War. Battle of the Coral Sea.
What was the first naval battle in history?
In between, the Battle of the Coral Sea, in May 1942, was the first naval battle in history in which opposing fleets fought without ever coming in sight of each other. A month later off Midway atoll, carriers again played the decisive role. The Battle of Midway reinforced…
What was the battle of Coral Sea?
The Battle of Coral Sea saw the Americans and Australians lose more forces than the Japanese; however, would later be called a strategic success for the Allied powers. During the battle the Allies would lose: one fleet carrier, one carrier damaged, one oiler, one destroyer, 69 aircrat, and 656 killed.
Where Did the Battle of Coral Sea Occur?
The battle took place between the Solomon Islands, Eastern New Guinea, the north-east coast of Australia between Townsville and Horn Island in the Coral Sea. The entire area of the battle covered more than a few thousand square kilometers with the opposing forces not knowing where the enemy was truly located during much of the battle. The primary method to locate and pursue the enemy during the battle (for both sides) was to use carrier aircraft to conduct reconnaissance.
Why did the Zuikaku avoid the fires?
The Zuikaku was able to avoid taking any damage due to being hidden in a rain squall. At the same time, Japanese forces were able to hit the YORKTOWN with a bomb and the LEXINGTON with bombs and torpedoes. The Lexington had a supply of aviation fuel explode that would preclude the crew from putting out the fires.
What island did the Japanese occupy?
On may 3 rd, the Japanese would occupy Tulagi island to setup a seaplane base. Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz, would be made aware of the Japanese plans through radio intercept. In response, he dispatched the U.S. carriers YORKTOWN and LEXINGTON to protect Port Moresby.
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea important?
What is the Significance of the Battle of Coral Sea? The Battle of Coral Sea is considered a significant World War 2 battle today for two reasons: Yorktown conducts aircraft operations in the Pacific sometime before the battle. A fleet oiler is in the near background. 1 – The battle would stop Japanese plans for the invasion ...
Why did Admiral Feltcher choose to detach his main surface combatant force of three cruisers?
Admiral Feltcher would ultimately choose to detach his main surface combatant force of three cruisers and escorts to block the likely course of the Japanese invasion fleet. This group was designated Task Force 44 and would be led by Rear Admiral John Crace. The group would be considered vulnerable to Japanese air attack without being under American Carrier aviation coverage.
What was the battle that saved Australia?
At the time, the press and general population attributed the Battle of Coral Sea as the “ battle that saved Australia .”. Today, historians credit the battle as important, but don’t hold it as the single act which kept the Japanese from invading Australia.
How many American warplanes were destroyed in the Battle of Tulagi?
Four days of battles between Japanese and American aircraft carriers resulted in 70 Japanese and 66 American warplanes destroyed. This confrontation, called the Battle ...
What was the first naval battle in history?
The Battle of the Coral Sea begins. On this, the first day of the first modern naval engagement in history, called the Battle of the Coral Sea, a Japanese invasion force succeeds in occupying Tulagi of the Solomon Islands in an expansion of Japan’s defensive perimeter. The United States, having broken Japan’s secret war code and forewarned ...
How did MADD's daughter die?
MADD founder’s daughter killed by drunk driver. On May 3, 1980, 13-year-old Cari Lightner of Fair Oaks, California, is walking along a quiet road on her way to a church carnival when a car swerves out of control, striking and killing her.
What was the first battle between the air carriers?
This confrontation, called the Battle of the Coral Sea, marked the first air-naval battle in history, as none of the carriers fired at each other, allowing the planes taking off from their decks to do the battling.
When did the Japanese military trial end?
On November 4, 1948, the trial ended with 25 of ...read more. Japan. 1947.
Who dismissed Douglas MacArthur?
The Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, meeting in closed session, begin their hearings into the dismissal of Gen. Douglas MacArthur by President Harry S. Truman. The hearings served as a sounding board for MacArthur and his extremist views on how the Cold War ...read more
Did Japan occupy the Solomon Islands?
Although Japan would go on to occupy all of the Solomon Islands, its victory was a Pyrrhic one: The cost in experienced pilots and aircraft carriers was so great that Japan had to cancel its expedition to Port Moresby, Papua, as well as other South Pacific targets. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness.
How many medals of honor were awarded at the Coral Sea?
Four Medals of Honor were awarded at Coral Sea:
What ships did the Japanese sink?
The Japanese Imperial Navy sank USS Lexington (CV-2 ), USS Sims (DD-409 ), and USS Neosho (AO-23 ), and damaged Yorktown. The Japanese only lost one small carrier ( Shoho) and suffered damage to a fleet carrier ( Shokaku ). Allied forces were forced to withdraw from the operational area.
What was the name of the aircraft carrier that was attacked by Yorktown?
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by Yorktown aircraft during the morning of 8 May. Flames are visible from a bomb hit on her forecastle. The end of Lexington on 8 May 1942. View on the flight deck at about 1500 hrs.
Why did Shokaku not join the Midway?
Shokaku had been hit so severely that she could not join the Midway force. Due to losses of pilots and planes, another carrier ( Zuikaku) also did not take part in that operation.
What was the Japanese plan for the Battle of Tulagi?
The battle’s strategic background was set by the Japanese plan formulated in early 1942 that saw the country’s forces advance south and southeastward from the Bismarcks and Solomons, with the capture of Tulagi in the Solomons and Port Moresby, New Guinea, as immediate objectives .
What was the first naval battle in history?
The Battle of the Coral Sea was the first time since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that the enemy’s seemingly relentless advance into the Pacific was checked. It was also the first major U.S. Navy fleet action against Japan and the first naval engagement in history in which the participating ships never sighted or fired directly at each other.
What was the purpose of the Japanese carrier strike force?
carriers, the Japanese Carrier Strike Force advanced toward the Coral Sea with the intention of finding and destroying the Allied naval forces. Beginning on 7 May, the two sides exchanged air strikes over two consecutive days.
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea important?
Although strategically a draw, the Battle of Coral Sea proved important in that is stopped, for the first time, Japanese expansion in the Pacific. It was also the first naval battle in history where the opposing ships never came within sight of each other, instead being fought entirely by carrier-based aircraft and foreshadowing the future of naval warfare.
What was the first day of the battle of Coral Sea?
The first day of the carrier battle of Coral Sea, 7 May 1942, saw the Americans searching for carriers they knew were present and the Japanese looking for ones they feared might be in the area. The opposing commanders, U.S. Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher and Japanese Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi and Rear Admiral Tadaichi Hara, endeavored to "get in the first blow", a presumed prerequisite to victory (and to survival) in a battle between heavily-armed and lightly-protected aircraft carriers. However, both sides suffered from inadequate work by their scouts and launched massive air strikes against greatly inferior secondary targets, which were duly sunk, leaving the most important enemy forces unhit.
How many torpedo planes were in the Shoho attack?
Yorktown and USS Lexington (CV-2) sent out a huge strike: fifty-three scout-bombers, twenty-two torpedo planes and eighteen fighters. In well-delivered attacks before noon, these simply overwhelmed the Shoho, which received so many bomb and torpedo hits that she sank in minutes. Her passing was marked by some of the War's most dramatic photography.
What hit the Shokaku?
Planes from USS Yorktown hit the Shokaku, followed somewhat later by part of USS Lexington's air group. These attacks left Shokaku unable to launch planes, and she left the area soon after to return to Japan for repairs. Her sister ship, Zuikaku, was steaming nearby under low clouds and was not molested.
How did the Japanese affect the Battle of Port Moresby?
All this had one beneficial effect: the Japanese ordered their Port Moresby invasion force to turn back to await developments. Late in the day, they also sent out nearly thirty carrier planes to search for Fletcher's ships. Most of these were shot down or lost in night landing attempts, significantly reducing Japanese striking power. The opposing carrier forces, quite close together by the standards of air warfare, prepared to resume battle in the morning.
Where did the Japanese land in the Coral Sea?
On 3 May a small Japanese naval force carried out a landing at Tulagi, on the northern side of the Coral Sea, where they quickly established a seaplane base to provide reconnaissance deeper into Allied waters. Leaving Lexington behind and detaching Neosho to join her, Rear Admiral Fletcher took Yorktown off to interfere with the landings. On the morning of the 4th, his planes hit the invasion force. Though results were modest, to some extent due to humid air fogging the dive bombers' sights, the destroyer Kikuzuki was fatally damaged and a few other ships and seaplanes were sunk.
Did Zuikaku go back to Pearl Harbor?
By the end of the day, both sides had retired from the immediate battle area. The Japanese sent Zuikaku back for a few days, even though her aircraft complement was badly depleted, but they had already called off their Port Moresby amphibious operation and withdrew the carrier on May 11th. At about the same time USS Yorktown was recalled to Pearl Harbor. After receiving quick repairs, she would play a vital role in the Battle of Midway in early June.
What Is The Significance of The Battle of Coral Sea?
Where Did The Battle of Coral Sea occur?
Battle of Coral Sea Commanders
Coral Sea Order of Battle
Summary of Allied Losses During The Battle of Coral Sea
- The Battle of Coral Sea saw the Americans and Australians lose more forces than the Japanese; however, would later be called a strategic success for the Allied powers. During the battle the Allies would lose: one fleet carrier, one carrier damaged, one oiler, one destroyer, 69 aircrat, and 656 killed. The Japanese would lose: One light carrier dest...
Battle of Coral Sea Summary
Battle of Coral Sea Conclusions
Battle of Coral Sea References