The Advantages, disadvantages, and strategies of the japanese
Advantages and Strategies
-The Japanese were attempting to isolate Australia to prevent the U.S. from acting defensively in the Pacific
-At the start of the battle, the Japanese had more power in their naval fleet and aircraft -The Japanese were closer to their mainland |
Disadvantages
-Before the Battle of Coral Sea, the Japanese had weakened their defenses in the Pacific
-Naval codes that were believed to be secret were deciphered by U.S. Navy codebreakers -Since the concept of using complete air power was confusing, Japanese pilots tryed to land on an American carrier and were shot down -Poor weather and ineffective reconnaissance -It was very confusing because the ships never actually met in combat |
The advantages, disadvantages & strategies of the allies
Advantages and Strategies
-In the spring of 1942, U.S. Navy codebreakers were able to decipher the Japanese naval code, so they were able to read messages that the Japanese thought were secret -Naval commanders were able to anticipate the enemy's moves in the Pacific -The Allies used "hit and run" tactics -The Allies strategically worked to prevent the Japanese from attacking Port Moresby |
Disadvantages
-Reconnaissance pilots thought that oilers and destroyers that they fired on were carriers and cruisers -American B-17s dropped bombs on an American fleet -On January 11, 1942 the American carrier, the Saratoga was torpedoed and it had to return to the West Coast for repairs -The U.S. only had three fast carriers for battle: Enterprise, Lexington, and Yorktown -Poor weather and ineffective reconnaissance -It was very confusing because the ships never actually met in combat |
Outcome
The Japanese carrier, Shoho, was torpedoed.
Even there was no specific victor, the Battle of Coral Sea was considered a strategical victory for the Allies because the Americans were able to stop the Japanese from invading Tulagi and capturing Port Moresby. The Japanese Operation MO, which was intended to isolate Australia in order to prevent the U.S. from acting as a counter offense strategist in the Pacific, was halted. The Americans sank a Japanese carrier, damaged a cruiser, and shot down 18 Japanese planes. The Japanese suffered from between 2,000 to more than 5,000 losses. On the other hand, the Japanese sank the Lexington and damaged the Yorktown. The Americans suffered 543 losses.
Citations:
"Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942." Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview
and Special Image Selection. Naval History & Heritage Command, n.d. Web. 3
Mar. 2013. <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Isserman, Maurice. World War II. New York: Fact on File, 1991. Print.
Cayot, Andrew, et al. Modern American History. Needham: Prentice Hall, 2003. Print.
"Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942." Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview
and Special Image Selection. Naval History & Heritage Command, n.d. Web. 3
Mar. 2013. <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Isserman, Maurice. World War II. New York: Fact on File, 1991. Print.
Cayot, Andrew, et al. Modern American History. Needham: Prentice Hall, 2003. Print.