The Battle of Coral Sea

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May 7-8, 1942, an important battle happen, that is the Battle of Coral Sea. The Battle was fought by air planes on both sides, There was no ship involved at all. The Japanese wanted to capture New Guinea and leave Australia out. The Coral Sea actions happen from a Japanese operation, they wanted to capture Port Moresby, on New Guinea's southern-eastern coast. Japanese air base threaten Australia and supported plans for future expansion, trying to help Australia get out of the war and exchange the strategic defense of Japan's oceanic empire.
In the spring of 1942, the Japanese had great gains in the Far East. The conquest of the Philippines, Burma, Malaya, and Dutch East Indies had cost the Japanese Navy 23 warships. Also, 67 transportation ships had also been lost. The naval command had expected a greater loss. Some of the people thought it would be best if they continue spearheading territorial gains, Admiral Nagano was a supporter of these. Others, followed Admiral Yamamoto, wanted to an all out attack on America's aircraft. Yamamoto believed that the destruction of America's aircraft, would make sure they had a security for Japan. Because of these, Yamamoto wanted an attack on Midway, as he believed that such an attack would definitely draw the American navy into a battle, which he believe that Japan would win.
However, everything changed when the Americans forced the Japanese. On April 18th, 1942, America launched bombs from two aircrafts carrier, which bombed Tokyo. Because of these, it gave Yamamoto more stregth against the Americans aircraft carriers on May 5th. General Headquarters Navy Order 18 was notified, and he ordered Yamamoto to carry out an attack on Midway, this operation was all taken place in June 1942.
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...er 'Phelps' finished off the 'Lexington' with five torpedoes, the Lexington sank. Japanese later called off trying to capture Port Moresby, for they feared that the American still has the power to destroy many of their landing crafts. The Japanese came out the best in Battle of Coral Sea. The loss of the 'Lexington' was great and far outweighed the loss of the “Shoho'. In total the Japanese lost 43 planes to the Americans. The battle is seen as an American victory because in the end it stopped the Japanese from doing what their plan was to do, and that is capture Port Moresby and it excluded Australia. This was a great victory for the Americans. The Battle of Midway did more damage to the Japanese, then the others did.

Works Cited

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/coralsea.htm

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_coral_sea.htm

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