Pacific · 4 May 1942 – 8 May 1942
Battle of the Coral Sea
From 4–8 May 1942, carrier aircraft fought across the Coral Sea. Japan sank more ships, but the Port Moresby invasion was recalled, giving the Allies a strategic victory.
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The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought from 4 to 8 May 1942, as Japanese forces advanced under Operation MO to establish a seaplane base at Tulagi and capture Port Moresby. The United States had learned of the plan through signals intelligence and sent carrier task forces and a joint American–Australian cruiser force to oppose it. The battle was the first carrier-versus-carrier engagement, and the opposing fleets did not sight or fire directly at one another; their aircraft carried out the attacks. [1][2]
Japanese forces occupied Tulagi on 3 May. On 4 May, aircraft from USS Yorktown attacked Japanese ships there, sinking or damaging several. The Japanese carrier force then moved toward the Coral Sea to find the Allied carriers. Meanwhile, the Port Moresby invasion force proceeded from Rabaul. The presence of Allied carriers changed the operation from an escorted advance into a contest between carrier air groups. [1][2]
On 7 May, both sides launched air strikes after misidentifying targets. American aircraft sank the Japanese light carrier Shōhō. Japanese aircraft sank the American destroyer Sims and damaged the oiler Neosho. The attacks demonstrated how difficult it was to locate and identify ships over a wide ocean area: the carrier groups had not yet engaged each other directly, even as both sides lost ships and aircraft. [1][2]
On 8 May, each carrier force located and attacked the other. Japanese aircraft damaged Yorktown and inflicted critical damage on Lexington, which was later scuttled. American aircraft damaged Shōkaku. Zuikaku escaped major damage, but its air group had suffered losses. The carrier forces disengaged and withdrew from the operational area. Japan had lost fewer major ships, while the Allies had lost Lexington and suffered damage to Yorktown. [1][2]
The result therefore depended on the measure used. Japan achieved a tactical advantage in ship losses, and the Japanese retained control of Tulagi. But Port Moresby remained in Allied hands: with its carrier air cover depleted, the Japanese command recalled the invasion force. Shōkaku’s damage and Zuikaku’s aircraft losses also kept both carriers from taking part in the Battle of Midway in June. The battle was consequently a strategic Allied victory, although contemporary accounts also described the action as a tactical draw. [1][2][3]