How was the Battle of Coral Sea fought?

The Battle of Coral Sea, which took place from May 4 to May 8, 1942, was significant in that it was the first major naval engagement in history where the surface ships of opposing forces never made visual contact. Instead, the battle was fought entirely through air power. Aircraft launched from aircraft carriers were the primary means of attack, marking a pivotal shift in naval warfare tactics.

The two fleets engaged in the battle were the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy, both employing carrier-based aircraft to strike at each other’s forces. The use of aircraft carriers as the central combatants underscored the growing importance of air power in naval warfare, a trend that would expand in subsequent battles throughout World War II.

This shift to aerial engagements distinguished the Battle of Coral Sea from earlier naval battles, which typically involved ships engaging directly with one another. The strategic implications of this battle were significant, as it not only halted the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby in New Guinea but also set the stage for the subsequent Battle of Midway, where air combat would play an even more central role.