Battle of the Coral Sea

battle_name=Battle of the Coral Sea

Background

In early 1942, having conquered nearly all of Southeast Asia in just a few months, Imperial Japan was at the apex of its power. Still reeling from a long series of humiliating defeats, the Allies were just beginning to develop the skills, and organise the material assets needed to survive and, eventually, to strike back. Allied strategy at this time was focused on a defensive build-up of the United States Army and Marine strength on New Caledonia (well to the south of the Solomon Islands), and Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force units in the south and east of the Australian Territory of New Guinea, just north of Australia itself.

Related Topics:
Southeast Asia - Japan - Allies - United States Army - Marine - New Caledonia - Solomon Islands - Australian Army - Royal Australian Air Force - New Guinea - Australia

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On March 12, the Prime Minister of Japan, General Hideki Tojo, said:

Related Topics:
March 12 - Hideki Tojo

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Australia and New Zealand are now threatened by the might of the Imperial forces, and both them should know that any resistance is futile. If the Australian government does not modify her present attitude, their continent will suffer the same fate as the Dutch East Indies.http://www.bluejacket.com/ww2_05-04-42_coral-sea.html

Related Topics:
Imperial - Australian government - Dutch East Indies

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In April 1942, Japanese forces left their new stronghold of Rabaul (on New Britain, just north of mainland New Guinea), and launched a two-pronged strategy: an amphibious assault against Port Moresby (Operation "MO"), and another against Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. The intention was threefold: to establish control of the Solomons, initially with a seaplane base; to destroy, and then occupy Port Moresby (the last Allied base between Japan and Australia); and in doing these things, to bring the American aircraft carrier fleet to battle for the first time in the war.

Related Topics:
Rabaul - New Britain - Port Moresby - Tulagi

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Historians remain divided about Japanese longer-term intentions: there seems little doubt that they planned to greatly strengthen their hold on the Solomon Islands, as a bastion against any future US counter-attacks, a reasonable probability that northern Australia would be invaded, and considerable doubt about the following moves, if any. In practice, Japanese military planning structure was complex, had ill-defined areas of responsibility, and was crippled by endless, bitter debates between the army and navy. The only firm deduction that can be made about longer-term Japanese plans in the South Pacific, is that whatever the navy eventually put forward, it would be opposed by the army with a counter-plan.

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Three Japanese fleets set sail: the invasion forces for the Solomons and Port Moresby, and a covering force consisting of two big, new aircraft carriers (Shokaku and Zuikaku, both veterans of the Pearl Harbor, a smaller carrier (Shoho), two heavy cruisers, and supporting craft. Alerted by radio intercepts, the Allies knew that Japanese land-based aircraft were being moved south, and that an operation was impending. In opposition, they had three main fleets: USS Yorktown (CV-5) already in the Coral Sea under the command of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USS Lexington (CV-2) en route, and a joint Allied surface fleet. The carriers USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) were heading south, after the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, but arrived too late to take part in the battle.

Related Topics:
Shokaku - Zuikaku - Pearl Harbor - Shoho - USS ''Yorktown'' (CV-5) - Coral Sea - Frank Jack Fletcher - USS ''Lexington'' (CV-2) - USS ''Hornet'' (CV-8) - USS ''Enterprise'' (CV-6) - Doolittle Raid - Tokyo

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