The Battle of the Coral Sea

Outline of strategic moves made in battle

WWI Project Handout by Alondra Gallardo and Greta Gillmor Who?

Japan wreaked Japanese war plane.

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and Air forces

United States American aircraft carrier Lexington

Naval and Air forces

Australia HMAS (battle cruiser) under attack

Naval and air forces

What? (What were each side’s plans)

· The Battle of the Coral Sea is the first air sea battle, and first naval battle of WWII in which neither side could see each other.

· This battle was fought between The United States and Australia vs Japan.

Japan’s Plan

· Japan planned to invade Port Moresby in New Guinea. The landing force sailed fully armed with troops, destroyers, carriers etc.

· A smaller invasion force would move eastern of New Guinea, to Tulagi.

· To protect these forces, Zuikaku and Shokaku lead a separate covering fleet (increase of air protection).

Allied Forces Plan

· The U.S. was able to piece together Japan's plan, this was thanks to U.S. code breakers how figured out Japanese Naval code.

· In result of U.S.’ knowledge of Japan’s plan, they sent the carrier Lexington to join Yorktown on the Coral sea.

Where?

· The battle of the Coral Sea, as the name states, was fought in the Coral sea. It was also partly fought in Port Moresby, New Guinea.

When? (Events that occurred on these dates)

· The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought for only four days, May 4th, 1942 till May 8th, 1942.

May 4th,5th,6th

· May 4th, Japan’s invasion force moved towards Tulagi, building a seaplane base.

· May 5th, Yorktown’s Air Force hit Tulagi fleet, this did not notify Japan where these carriers were.

· U.S. Army Force bomber saw the Port Moresby invasion force, but lacked to inform the navy.

· The fleets were 70 miles apart (not extremely far), terrible weather prevented each side from seeing one another during battle.

May 7th

· Japan mistakenly reported the positions of a U.S. carrier and cruiser, but it was actually a tanker and its escort destroyer

· Japan wasted a large effort of force on destroying a minor threat. This is a very large mistake for Japan.

· The U.S found the carrier, Shoho and sunk it.

· Japan fought back with torpedo bombs shot from Zuikaku and Shokaku, but did no damage.

May 8th

· U.S. attacked Shokaku, forcing it and another ship named Zuikaku, to return home because of severe damages.

· Allied ships Yorktown and Lexington were also damaged, Lexington was also sunk, luckily almost all of passengers survived.

Why? (Causes)

· Japan desired to take full control of the Coral sea through the invasion of Port Moresby.

· This invasion could make it possible for Japan to project air power beyond Northern Australia and establish bases further south.

· Also, it would prevent Allied forces from setting up bases in Australia.

The Aftermath

· However, the U.S. lost a 41,000 ton carrier while Japan lost an 11,000 ton carrier. In result of this, Japan won a tactical victory since they lost less valuable ships.

· U.S. faced larger loses, but strategically won the battle. They prevented Japan’s invasion of Port Moresby.

· Without The Battle of the Coral sea the outcome of The Battle of Midway could have completely changed. More ships would have had to been fought making it harder for allied forces to win.