Summary
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a series of naval engagements off the north-east coast of Australia between 4 and 8 May 1942. It was fought by Allied (United States and Australian) and Japanese aircraft against four different major groups of warships.
Some of the aircraft involved were land-based, but most were from the opposing aircraft carriers.
It was the first aircraft carrier battle ever fought, and the first naval battle in which the opposing forces of surface ships at no stage sighted or fired at each other. All attacks were carried out by aeroplanes.It is also the largest naval battle that has ever been fought off Australia’s shores.
The battle was significant for two main reasons:
- it was the first time in World War 2 that the Japanese experienced failure in a major operation; and
- the battle stopped the Japanese sea-borne invasion of Port Moresby.
Read more of the battle here:
http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/w.../coralsea.html