The goal of main Japanese invasion force was to take Port Moresby. The Japanese would use two carriers, the IJN Shokaku and the IJN Zuizaku. However, prior to the invasion the Allies had cracked the Japanese codes used to encrypt their transmissions, enabling the interception of naval forces that would lead to the battle. The Japanese were intercepted by two American carrier forces as well as Australian cruisers and destroyers. The most important fighting would take place on May 8th with the two opposing carrier groups spotting each other and engaging. The Shokaku was hit twice by two US dive bombers, greatly limiting it's capacity to launch aircraft. For the Americans, The USS Yorktown would be damaged but it would survive and continue to fight in the battle. However, the USS Lexington was not as fortunate, it would be damaged badly and sink. The USS Lexington was hit by dive bombers 4 times, leaking gas fumes that would ignite, forcing the crew to abandon the carrier. The aircraft from the Lexington would find new home on the Yorktown as well as other resources were diverted. The Lexington would finally sink from a Japanese torpedo.
At the end of the battle, the Americans had lost more than the Japanese in regard to their naval fleet, losing a carrier. However, the Japanese attempt to increase their defensive capabilities in the south Pacific and what could have blocked off Australia from the rest of the British empire was stopped as well as for the first time the southward attacks and invasions of the Japanese were stopped. So in total, while a blow to the Americans with the loss of the Lexington, it was still significant for the Allies in the overall fight against the Japanese. But at the same time it was by no means fatal for the Japanese, and not nearly as costly as the Battle of Midway would be in June.
Sources:
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/australia-and-second-world-war/events/coral-sea-kokoda-and-milne-bay-2
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-coral-sea
https://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-coral-sea.php
I found your post to be very concise and informative of the major events of this battle. I found it particularly interesting that the Allies were able to crack the Japanese code and intercept their plan. Apparently, the Japanese wanted to take Port Moresby because it was an important supply point for the Allies. As you mentioned in the beginning of your post, this battle was one of the first fought from primarily the air. Both Japan and the US were not as familiar as they wanted to be with naval fighting, resulting in many mistakes made on both sides.
ReplyDeleteSources:
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1942/battle-of-coral-sea.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0WqUWhh548
Although not directly related to the Battle of Coral Sea, one interesting to note is that Kamikaze tactics by the Japanese were in fact used in air-sea battles. Originally used as a way for already heavily damaged aircrafts to inflict damage on ships, Kamikaze units soon formed out of thousands of volunteers who would die in the name of their emperor. Kamikaze techniques were most prevalent nearing the end of World War 2 during the battle of Leyte Golf. It was the first instance of organized Kamikaze attacks in which the Japanese with limited options, sent volunteer pilots into the U.S. escort carriers.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.britannica.com/topic/kamikaze
https://www.britannica.com/topic/kamikaze
This article made me research other important naval battles of WWII. The largest naval battle was the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and it contends as one of the largest naval battles ever. This battle was the decisive battle for control of the Philippines, which the US would go on to win convincingly. Japan would go on to lose four aircraft carriers, three battleships, and six heavy cruisers.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-leyte-gulf