Battle of the coral sea
The 'Battle of the Coral Sea' was a huge naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War 2. The Battle lasted from the 4th - 8th of May 1942 and was fought between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the naval and air forces from Australia and the United States. This was the first battle which had aircraft carriers, as well as the first battle in which neither sides ships fired directly upon each other. After several days of searching for one another, the Japanese and Allied fleets met and each sent air crafts out in what resulted in minor losses for both sides. The only significant loss during this battle was of the Allies aircraft carrier the 'USS Lexington' both sides retreated shortly after this only to meet again in a months time.
Importance
- It was the first carrier-verses-carrier battle as neither fleets sighted each other on land.
- It was the first time the Allies stopped a Japanese advance.
- Before this battle the Japanese were unstoppable, after this they did not win another battle
- It was the battle that saved Australia
Australia and New Zealand are now threatened by the might of the Imperial Japanese forces, and both of them should know that any resistance is futile. - Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo
History - USS Lexington
This is an aerial view of the USS Lexington from 1941. This was an aircraft carrier used by the United States of America during their WW2 Naval battles against Japan. It was originally designed to be a battle ship, she was converted into one of the navy's first aircraft carrier to fulfill the required terms of the Washington Naval Treaty which was commissioned in 1922. This treaty exterminated all battleship and battle cruiser construction in the United States at the time. The ship was assigned in 1928 to the pacific fleet for her whole career where she would eventually be put to rest.
Japanese Intentions
This map shows the initial movements from the Allies and Japanese naval fleets. This battle occurred just 6 months after the unprecedented attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii and only a month before the 'Battle of Midway' The battle which ended in a draw was a huge turning point in the Pacific campaign.
This battle occurred because Japan tried to invade Southern New Guinea, they did this so that they would be able to knock Australia and New Zealand out of the war. The allies rallied a large fleet in the coral sea to prevent the invasion. |
Before we're through with them the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell
William Halsey Jr. American Fleet Admiral (December 8th 1941)
Battle of midway
The United States defeated Japan in one of the most important naval battles of World War 2. Thanks to major advances in code-breaking, this enabled the United States naval forces were able to anticipate Japan' s ambush of their remaining aircraft carriers. The United States inflicted permanent damage to the Japanese Navy. This victory was a crucial turning point in the Pacific campaign which allowed the Allies to move into an offensive position.
Why Did japan attack midway island?
This attack was led by the Japan's desire to sink all of the United States aircraft carriers that had'nt been destroyed at Pearl Harbour. Japan attempted to invade Midway due to how close it was to Pearl Harbour. This was so that the Japanese could draw out the American fleet. This plan would have been effective, but the Pacific Fleet commander Admiral. Chester W. Nimitz had discovered the Japanese fleet code and was prepared for their attack. Nimitz placed available United States carriers in a position where they could surprise the Japanese who were moving up for their preempted attack on the Midway Island.
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It is historically believed that the Japanese lost the Battle of Midway due to the United States eliminating their Imperial Navy's air force, the fact is about two-thirds of Japanese air crews survived. These were the least of Japan's worries during the Battle of Midway in which they lost trained mechanics and aircraft ground crews who were killed along with the ships which were destroyed. Midway was a huge turning point during the Pacific theater of war. The Battle of Midway enabled the Allies to glide straight to Tokyo, it was a huge win for the Allies in what was a deciding factor of WW2. |