The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought May 4-8, 1942, during World War II (1939-1945) as the Allies sought to halt the Japanese capture of New Guinea.
What was unique about the Battle of the Coral Sea?
The Battle of the Coral Sea represented a new chapter in the history of naval warfare: for one, the fight was led by aircrafts, with neither the U.S. or Japanese navies ever coming in contact.
What was the importance of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Why was the Coral Sea battle important? Battle of Tassafaronga : Night of the Long Lances. The Japanese Navy General Staff wanted to exploit their success; some planners wanted to capture Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and hopefully ... The strike overflew the U.S. ... Japanese search aircraft launched at 0615. ... Battle of Midway. ... Written by US Navy Admiral Sam Cox Back To News. ...
What did the Battle of the Coral Sea lead to?
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.
What were the long term effects of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Long Term Impact - The Battle of Coral Sea. The Battle of Coral Sea. The Battle of Coral Sea had important long term effects. For example, the ships that Japan lost contributed to their important defeat in the Battle of Midway. Not only did Japan lose many of their soldiers and machines, but also their spirits were demoralized. Those important long term effects are definite examples of why the Battle of Coral sea helped the Allies.
What were the goals of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
The intent was to use both islands as bases for flying boats which would then conduct patrols into the Coral Sea in order to protect the flank of the Moresby invasion force. The Japanese also believed that they would be denying the Americans the use of these islands for the same purpose.
Why was the Battle of the Coral Sea significant for Australia?
The Battle of the Coral Sea resulted in Australia being released from the immediate threat of invasion by the Japanese, and prevented Australia from being isolated from its American allies. It also resulted in the Americans maintaining naval superiority of the Pacific region.
Who won the Battle of Coral Sea and why?
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.
Where was the Battle of the Coral Sea fought?
Coral SeaSolomon IslandsNew GuineaBattle of the Coral Sea/Locations
Why was the Battle of the Coral Sea important 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 was the significance of the Battle in the 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.
Did the Battle of the Coral Sea save Australia?
Today, the largest naval battle that has been fought off our shores, the Battle of the Coral Sea, is remembered. The Battle of the Coral Sea ended Japanese attempts to launch a seaborne invasion of Port Moresby and has long been regarded as 'the battle that saved Australia'.
Why did the Coral Sea become an important focal point for Japanese allied conflicts in 1942?
By 1942, Japan was setting its sights on the Coral Sea, a body of water northeast of Australia with New Guinea's city of Port Moresby as its focal point. With success, they could threaten or attack Australia and keep it out of the war (while also furthering their control).
What is significant about the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway?
It marked the turning point in World War II when the Allied forces began to win their fight against the Axis powers.
What stopped the Japanese from invading Australia?
The US naval victory at the battle of Midway, in early June 1942, removed the Japan's capability to invade Australia by destroying its main aircraft carriers. This made it safe for Australia to begin to transfer military power to fight the Japanese in Australian Papua and New Guinea.
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea a turning point for the Allies?
Why was the Battle of Coral Sea a turning point for the Allies? It prevented Japan from expanding farther into mainland Asia and boosted American confidence.
What was the significance of the Midway Battle?
The U.S. Navy's decisive victory in the air-sea battle (June 3-6, 1942) and its successful defense of the major base located at Midway Island dashed Japan's hopes of neutralizing the United States as a naval power and effectively turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific.
What was the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Battle of the Coral Sea. Part of Operation Mo of South West Pacific theatre of World War II. The American aircraft carrier USS Lexington explodes on 8 May 1942, several hours after being damaged by a Japanese carrier air attack. Date.
What was the most significant effect of the Coral Sea Battle?
Midway. One of the most significant effects of the Coral Sea battle was the loss of Shōkaku and Zuikaku to Yamamoto for his planned battle in the air with the U.S. carriers at Midway ( Shōhō was to have been employed at Midway in a tactical role supporting the Japanese invasion ground forces).
Where did TF 17 leave Pearl Harbor?
Nimitz ordered Fletcher to return Yorktown to Pearl Harbor as soon as possible after refueling at Tongatabu. During the day, U.S. Army bombers attacked Deboyne and Kamikawa Maru, inflicting unknown damage. In the meantime, having heard nothing from Fletcher, Crace deduced that TF17 had departed the area. At 01:00 on 10 May, hearing no further reports of Japanese ships advancing towards Port Moresby, Crace turned towards Australia and arrived at Cid Harbor, 130 nmi (150 mi; 240 km) south of Townsville, on 11 May.
How did the Japanese win the Battle of Lexington?
In terms of ships lost, the Japanese won a tactical victory by sinking a U.S. fleet carrier, an oiler, and a destroyer – 41,826 long tons (42,497 t) – versus a light carrier, a destroyer, and several smaller warships – 19,000 long tons (19,000 t) – sunk by the U.S. side. Lexington represented, at that time, 25% of U.S. carrier strength in the Pacific. The Japanese public was informed of the victory with overstatement of the U.S. damage and understatement of their own.
How far did the Japanese advance in the Coral Sea?
On the evening of 6 May, the two carrier forces came within 70 nmi (81 mi; 130 km) of each other, unbeknownst to anyone.
What was the name of the battle that took place in 1942?
Sansapor. Morotai. Aitape–Wewak. 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 many aircraft were destroyed in the Battle of the Coral Sea?
69 aircraft destroyed. 69–97 aircraft destroyed. 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.
Where was the Battle of the Coral Sea?
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a series of naval engagements off the north-east coast of Australia between 4 and 8 May 1942. It was fought by Allied (United States and Australian) and Japanese aircraft against four different major groups of warships. Some of the aircraft involved were land-based, but most were from the opposing aircraft carriers.
Where did the Battle of the Coral Sea take place?
The battle took place in the Coral Sea, in an area separating the Solomon Islands, the eastern tip of New Guinea, and the north-eastern coast of Australia from Townsville to Horn Island. A map of this area appears as part of the battle description later. This covers an area of many thousands of square kilometres, ...
What was the name of the ship that the Japanese attacked?
There were no sightings of the Japanese invasion fleet until 7 May. Planes from the Japanese carriers Zuikaku and Shokaku found the American fuel ship, USS Neosho, and its escort, USS Sims, and attacked and disabled them, believing at first that the tanker was a carrier.
What was the purpose of the Allied Task Force 44?
They were sent to find and attack the Port Moresby Invasion Group. This force was commanded by the Australian Rear-Admiral Crace.
Why did the Japanese enter the Coral Sea?
The plan was for these Japanese carriers to intercept the American naval force from two sides as it entered the Coral Sea in response to the Japanese invasion. The three Japanese aircraft carriers, with their protective ‘screens’ of warships, entered the Coral Sea early in May to support this invasion fleet.
What would happen if the aircraft carriers were destroyed?
If the carriers could be destroyed, the other ships could be hunted down almost at leisure. Each aircraft carrier had a ‘screen’ of other warships around it to protect it from air attack. The job of these surrounding ships was to shoot down attacking aircraft before they reached the carrier. An aircraft carrier screen.
What was the Japanese plan to extend their Pacific control?
The Japanese plan to extend their Pacific control was to set up a base at Tulagi in the Solomons for long-range amphibious aircraft . At the same time they would take Port Moresby.
What was the significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea?
Regardless, despite being shorter and often overshadowed by other, better-known battles, it is quite clear that the Battle of the Coral Sea served as both a major turning point in the story of World War II’s Pacific front and as a landmark in the history of naval warfare in general.
When was the Battle of Coral Sea?
The Battle of Coral Sea was a five-day naval battle that took place between the United States and Imperial Japan on May 4th to May 8th, 1942. This would be one of the most decisive battles in naval history.
What carrier was sinking in 1942?
Later that day, United States aircraft would retaliate, sinking the Japanese light aircraft carrier, Shōhō (2). The Japanese light carrier Shoho under attack by U.S. Navy planes on 7 May 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
What was the Japanese attack on Port Moresby?
In early May 1942, the Japanese carrier fleet had set sail for Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea, — the latest target for the Japanese invasion force. The battle plan was dubbed Operation Mo. The plan was to secure Tulagi in the Solomon Islands on 2-3 May and Port Moresby by 10th May.
What islands did Japan conquer?
The IJA and the Navy’s General Staff accepted Inoue’s proposal but on condition the Port Moresby and Tulagi bases be used as launching points for Japan’s Imperial conquest on the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Thereafter cutting off communication and supplies between the United States and Australia.
What was the first battle of the Pacific front?
As we’ve probably made clear by now, the Battle of the Coral Sea was one of the first major battles of World War II’s Pacific front. What would follow would be several years of (chiefly) naval and aerial battles as the Allies fought to keep the ambitious Japanese forces from laying claim to the entire region.
Why did Japan abandon the Battle of the Coral Sea?
With the Battle of the Coral Sea, this growing dominance was stopped in its tracks at Port Moresby, which Japan was forced to abandon due to the damage done to its invading force. The battle proved to the Allied forces the ferocity of Japanese naval forces should not be taken lightly.
Overview
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. Taking place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the battle is historically significant as the first action in which the opposing fleets neither sighted nor fired upon one another, attacking over the horizon with aircr…
Background
On 8 December 1941 (7 December U.S. time), Japan declared war on the U.S. and the British Empire, after Japanese forces attacked Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong as well as the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. In launching this war, Japanese leaders sought to neutralize the U.S. fleet, seize territory rich in natural resources, and obtain strategic military bases to defend their far-flung …
Battle
During late April, the Japanese submarines Ro-33 and Ro-34 reconnoitered the area where landings were planned. The submarines investigated Rossel Island and the Deboyne Group anchorage in the Louisiade Archipelago, Jomard Channel, and the route to Port Moresby from the east. They did not sight any Allied ships in the area and returned to Rabaul on 23 and 24 April respectively.
Aftermath
On 9 May, TF 17 altered course to the east and proceeded out of the Coral Sea via a route south of New Caledonia. Nimitz ordered Fletcher to return Yorktown to Pearl Harbor as soon as possible after refueling at Tongatabu. During the day, U.S. Army bombers attacked Deboyne and Kamikawa Maru, inflicting unknown damage. In the meantime, having heard nothing from Fletcher, Crace deduced …
Significance
Both sides publicly claimed victory after the battle. In terms of ships lost, the Japanese won a tactical victory by sinking the U.S. fleet carrier Lexington, an oiler, and a destroyer – 41,826 long tons (42,497 t) – versus a light carrier, a destroyer, and several smaller warships – 19,000 long tons (19,000 t) – sunk by the U.S. side. Lexington represented, at that time, 25% of U.S. carrier strength in the Pa…
Films
• Battle of the Coral Sea (1959)
Documentaries
• Crusade in the Pacific, Episode 5: The Navy Holds: 1942 (13m:30s – 19:37), a segment of an episode from a TV documentary series aired originally in 1951 and made from the theatrical releases of Movietone News in 1942.
• War in the Pacific, Part I: The Pacific in Eruption, an episode from another documentary but made from the same Movietone News newsreels of 1942. Also available in DVD format.
See also
• United States Navy in World War II
• Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II
• Pacific Theater aircraft carrier operations during World War II
• WWII carrier-versus-carrier engagements between American and Japanese naval forces:
Summary
Where Was The Battle fought?
Who Was Involved?
A Battle Fleet
Why Was A Battle Fought in This Place at This time?
- The battle involved Allied forces trying to stop Japan’s continued expansion into and control of the Pacific Ocean area, which had been established between December 1941 and May 1942.
The Japanese Conquest of The Pacific December 1941- May 1942
What Was It Like to Be in The Battle?
4 May
5–6 May
7 May
What Happened at The Battle of The Coral Sea?
Why Did The Battle of The Coral Sea Happen?
- In brief, the cause of the Battle of Coral Sea was rooted in War-era Japan’s drive to spread its influence. This, of course, was an ambition that they shared with their fellow Axis powers — as a major driving force behind the Axis World War war II effort was Hitler’s vision of extending the Third Reich across the globe, as signified when he launche...
What Is The Significance of The Battle of The Coral Sea?
Conclusion