Battle for the Coral Sea


March 2 to March 4, 1943

The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought between the Japanese and the American and Australian navies. The results gave the impression that the Allies had not really done well, and as a result of this clash the Japanese sought to have a decisive battle at Midway Island. Yet the damage suffered by the Japanese fleet at the Coral Sea contributed to the disastrous Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway. There were no Australian navy assets involved at Midway, because it was outside the area allocated to the Australian navy.

Significantly, the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 was a turning point in the Pacific War. Fought predominantly by aircraft from United States and Australian naval forces against the Japanese fleet, the battle marked the first major check on Japanese expansion and was the first naval battle in history fought entirely by aircraft. Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, it strategically prevented a Japanese seaborne invasion of Port Moresby, a critical point on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, directly impacting the security of Australia. This victory, along with subsequent successes on the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay, where Australian and Allied forces further repelled Japanese advancements, played a critical role in preserving Australia’s safety and contributed decisively to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.

The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from May 4 to May 8, 1942, marked a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was the first major engagement in naval history where aircraft carriers engaged each other with carrier-based aircraft, without the opposing ships ever coming into sight of each other. This battle stemmed from Japan’s strategic aim to secure its southern flank by capturing Port Moresby in New Guinea, which would have provided a base to threaten Australia and control the Coral Sea. A Japanese invasion fleet, accompanied by aircraft carriers, was intercepted by American and Australian naval forces under the command of Admirals Frank Jack Fletcher and John Crace. The resulting clash involved intense air battles and complex manoeuvres at sea.

Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, with both sides suffering significant losses—including the American carrier USS Lexington sunk and the USS Yorktown damaged, and the Japanese carrier Shoho destroyed—it had significant strategic implications that were ultimately favorable for the Allies. The battle effectively halted the Japanese advance southwards, preventing the capture of Port Moresby from the sea and thus preserving a vital Allied base. Additionally, the damage inflicted on the Japanese fleet, particularly the aircraft carriers, and the loss of many experienced pilots, weakened their naval air power. This depletion played a crucial role just a month later at the Battle of Midway, where the United States achieved a decisive victory that shifted the balance of power in the Pacific towards the Allies. The Battle of the Coral Sea is remembered not only for its strategic impact but also for setting the precedent of carrier warfare, which defined much of the naval conflict in the Pacific during the war.

Key moments in the Battle for Australia included the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, fought off the northeastern coast of Australia, which effectively checked Japan’s southward expansion and prevented a direct threat to Australian shores. Later, campaigns such as those in New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Track, saw fierce fighting in gruelling conditions. These battles not only halted the Japanese advance but also marked a turning point in the Pacific War. Australian forces, fighting alongside American and other Allied troops, played a crucial role in these campaigns, demonstrating resilience and commitment that contributed significantly to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.

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HMAS Australia (II)
: Heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (II) in the South Pacific, 1943. Image: Official US Navy photograph collection of the National Archives, Naval History and Heritage Command BD-G-78946.
Sources

Source: (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) (2022)