Battle Battle of of

Coral Coral SeaSea

On 7 December 1941, using aircraft carriers, the Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The attack destroyed or crippled most of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's battleships and started the war.

What were the initial aims of the Japanese leaders in launching this war?

a. Neutralize the US fleet.

b. Seize possessions rich in natural resources.

c. Obtain strategic military bases to defend their empire.

d. Eject US, British, and Netherlands from their colonial holdings.

The four choices would make a good outline for the Japanese early goals.

Imperial Japanese advances in the Southwest Pacific from December 1941 to April 1942To support these goals, during the first few months of 1942, besides Malaya, Japanese forces attacked and successfully took control of the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, the Netherlands East Indies, Wake Island, New Britain, the Gilbert Islands, and Guam while inflicting heavy losses on opposing Allied land, naval, and air forces.

Japan has expanded their empire. They now must make it secure and prepared for defense.

Japanese Naval General Staff chose what area to attack next?

a. Northern Australia

b. Pearl Harbor….again.

c. Western Australia-Perth

d. Port Moresby, New Guinea

The answer should be a surprise.

Who rejected the plan to invade Northern Australia?

a. Admiral Yamamoto

b. The Emperor

c. The Imperial Japanese Army

d. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo

The Imperial Japanese Army rejected the recommendation, stating that it did not have the forces or shipping capacity available to conduct such an operation.

Vice Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue, commander of the IJN's 4th Fleet (also called the South Seas Force) which consisted of

most of the naval units in the South Pacific area, advocated the occupation of….

a.Tulagi and Port Moresbyb.Townsville and Perth

c.Midway Island and Guamd.Fiji and Samoa

Rabaul

Port Moresby

Rabaul

TulagiPort Moresby Tulagi

Port Moresby

Rabaul Japanese expansion perimeter line

Tulagi would put northern Australia within range of Japanese land-based aircraft. Inoue believed the capture and control of these locations would provide greater security and defensive depth for the major Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain.

Using these locations as supporting bases, the Japanese would then seize New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa and thereby cut the supply and communication lines between Australia and the United States.

Northern Australia

a. Fighter planesb. Battleshipsc. Airfieldsd. Carriers

The Japanese plan called for Port Moresby to be invaded from the ocean and secured by 10 May.

The plan also included the seizure of Tulagi on 2–3 May.

The navy would establish a seaplane base for potential air operations against Allied territories and forces in the South Pacific and to provide a base for reconnaissance aircraft-putting Australia in danger.

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Port Moresby Invasion Group

Tulagi Invasion Group

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

The Japanese Plan

Japanese Carrier Force

Australia

Townsville

Covering Force

Reminder:

this is the JAPANESE PLAN!It was ONLY A PLAN.

Knowing this study is about the Battle of Coral Sea…….. …………what’s coming?a.A battleb.A battlec.A battled.A battle

Sarcastic Question:Where will the battle be located?

MO

Battle ofCoral Sea

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

The Japanese Plan

Japanese Carrier Force

Australia

Townsville

MO

Cooktown

Coen

Why plan on a bombing attack from the carriers on Coen, Cooktown, and Townsville?

a. Preparation for invasion.

b. Allied bomber bases.

c. Diversion

d. Allied ships were harbored at these three ports.

Inoue was especially worried about Allied bombers stationed at air bases in Coen, Cooktown, and Townsville ,Australia, beyond the range of his own bombers located at Rabaul and Lae.

Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue

Regardless of the success or failure of Operation MO Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto had planned for the NEXT major operation. What was it? a. Leyte Gulf

b. Wake Islandc. Midwayd. Guadalcanal

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of Japan's Combined Fleet, was concurrently planning an operation for June that he hoped would lure the U.S. Navy's carriers, none of which were damaged in the Pearl Harbor attack, into a

decisive showdown with his fleet in the central Pacific near Midway Atoll.

A fun question-what color was the ocean in the South Pacific?

a. Deep blue

b. Pale blue

c. green d. Light brown

Deep blue according to author Ian Toll.

Check out the power the Japanese have built in ten weeks.

Rabaul

Kavieng

Lae

Salamaua

Buka Island

Buin

Satellite air bases:

Japanese expansion perimeter

By January 23rd the Japanese had cleared out Rabaul of the Australians and established port facilities to include an armada. They had ten weeks of build- up time before Operation MO.

At Rabaul: “4th Fleet” with 150 aircraft.

Under the command of Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue.

Hawaii

New Hebrides

Solomons

Japan’s expansion perimeter

Task Force11-Lexington (Fletcher)Leaves Pearl Harbor on April 19th

TF 11 reaches 300 miles NW of New Caledonia, joining TF 17 (Fitch), and TF 44 (Royal British Navy)

Why the zig-zag –ing route?

a. Training

b. Avoid submarines

c. Weather

d. Celebrating crossing the equator

The Allies are sending whatever ships they have left after Pearl Harbor to the Coral Sea.

How do they know the Japanese build up is near the Coral Sea?

a. Code breaking b. Spies

b. Traitors d. Lucky guess

Jn-25

US Code-breakers at Pearl Harbor under the command of

Commodore Joe Rochefort have broken the Japanese Code Jn-25 and know that the Japanese will

invade Tulagi and Port Moresby.

Wild Guess Time! How many code-breakers were there at Pearl Harbor?

a. 10 b. 26 c. 112 d. 738

U.S. Navy's Combat Intelligence Unit, called OP–20–G and consisted of 738 naval personnel. The unit was housed in the basement of the 14th Naval District Administration at Pearl Harbor.

Rabaul

Kavieng

Lae

Salamaua

Buka Island

Buin

At Rabaul: “4th Fleet” with 150 aircraft.

Under the command of Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue.Carrier Shoho

“5th FleetCarriers Shokaku and Zuikaku

One Cruiser Division

Two Destroyer Divisions

On April 13th, the British deciphered a JN-25 message informing Inoue in Rabaul that the Fifth Carrier Division, consisting of the carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku, were en route from Truk to Rabaul.The Americans interpreted the message that the Japanese target was most likely, a. Port Moresby b. Guadalcanal c. Hebrides Islands d. Townsville, Australia

140 Land-based aircraft

1

Task Force 11 Task Force 17Yorktown- Adm Frank FletcherLexington-RAdm Jake Fitch

Task Force 44Royal Australian Navy-Adm Crace

Where are the other two US aircraft carriers- Hornet and Enterprise?

a. Not needed b. Being repaired

c. On the way to Tokyo

d. Returning to Pearl Harbor from Tokyo

1 light carrier9 cruisers15 destroyers

5 minesweepers2 minelayers2 sub chasers3 PT Gunboats

1 oil tanker1 seaplane tender12 transports

127 carrier aircraft

Why no Battleships?

a. There aren’t any

b. No use for them in the upcoming battle.c. In training near San Diego.d. Rest and refitting in Hawaii.

Remember Pearl Harbor?

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Buin

Cooktown

Coen

Yorktown Task Force

Lexington Task Force

That same evening Australian scouts out of Coen spotted the landings and reported to the Yorktown TF !7

Attack ForceCover Force

Tulagi attack force

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Buin

Cooktown

Coen

Dawn, May 4th, Yorktown planes are just 100 miles from Tulagi.

The weather turns nasty, high winds, heavy rain.

The weather is clear and warm over Tulagi.

Yorktown Task Force 17

Lexington Task Force 11

Adm Fletcher’s planes head for Tulagi. What would be Adm Fletcher’s choice of weather conditions?

a. Clear weather for the Yorktown and clear weather at Tulagi.

b. Clear for the Yorktown and stormy at Tulagi.

c. Stormy for the Yorktown and Clear at Tulagi.

d. Stormy for both the Yorktown and Tulagi.

Fletcher got exactly what he wanted- a cloudy, stormy day for the Yorktown, but a clear and cloudless day at

Tulagi.

Rabaul

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Buin

Cooktown

Coen

TulagiGuadalcanal

Bougainville

28 Dive Bombers12 Torpedo Bombers6 F4F Wildcat Fighters

What the pilots reported seeing at Gavutu Harbor at Tulagi:

A Light Cruiser2 DestroyersA Sea Tender5 TroopshipsMany PT Gun Boats.

What ships, in fact, actually, were in the harbor at Tulagi?

One minelayer2 small minesweepersOne small transport2 Destroyers3 Landing Barges

How could the pilots be so far off in what they “saw”?

a. Inexperienced pilots

b. Too much sunlight and reflectionsc. Dirty and fogged windshields

d. Tendency to overestimate

Tulagi

Guadalcanal

Bougainville

More guessing: Characterize the defense of Tulagi:

a. The Japanese were ready! Air cover; massed anti-aircraft guns; ship’s guns.

b. The Japanese were completely surprised! No air cover; no anti-aircraft; no ship’s guns.

c. Air cover only

d. The Japanese were late getting to their guns but had everything working quickly.

The Yorktown attack force:28 dive bombers12 torpedo bombers6 F4F Wildcats

Returned to Yorktown

Tulagi

Bougainville

The Japanese were completely surprised! No air cover; no anti-aircraft; no ship’s guns.

Yorktown

The first attack flight returned to the Yorktown, rearmed and refueled, and attacked Tulagi again, ………and a third time.

The ResultsAs reported by the pilots

Actual

Sunk or heavily damaged 14 of 15 ships, including 3 heavy cruisers.

One destroyer,one small transport, and two small PT boats.

Guadalcanal

Ordnance fired at Japanese ships at Tulagi.

22 torpedoes76 1000 lb bombs12,570 rounds of .50 caliber ammo7,095 rounds of .30 caliber ammo.

.

One destroyer,one small transport, and two

small PT boats

All that for

The explanation for the lousy results………………?

“We need practice!”

YA THINK?

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Buin

Cooktown

Coen

Adm Tagaki’s strike force headed for the Coral Sea searching for US carriers.

Heavy carriersShokaku and Zuikaku

Tulagi invasion fleet returned toRabaul.

The three Task Forces w

ere

now grouped together u

nder

Adm Fletcher.

TF 11 (Lexington);

TF 17 (Yorktown)

Australia TF 44

The most important result of the Yorktown’s raids on Tulagi was that the Japanese know that there are American aircraft carriers near.

B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers

B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers

TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

PBY Catalina flying boats(torpedo or scout)

SBD Devastator torpedo bombers

USS Lexington

and

USS Yorktown

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Cooktown

Coen

TF 11/17/44

Port Moresby Invasion FleetAdm. Goto

Carrier attack force (Inoue)

Tulagi attack forceCarrier

Shoho

CarriersShokaku andZuikaku

LexingtonYorktown

Japanese carriers search for US carriers

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Buin

Cooktown

Coen

ShohoZuikaku

Shokaku

Lexington

Yorktown

Battle of

Coral Sea

Rabaul

Tulagi

Port Moresby

Lae

Salamaula

Townsville

Buka Island

Cooktown

Coen Which nation knows if the other nation has carriers ?

a. Both know.

b. Neither know.

c. Japan knows, US doesn’t.

d. US knows, Japan doesn’t.

Both know ……….and they will be

three days searching for each other.

ShohoZuikaku

Shokaku

Lexington

Yorktown

SHOHO

SHOKAKU

zUIKAKU

LEXINGTON

YORKTOWN

The weather was variable- sometimes clear and fair, sometimes overcast and squally, with winds building to gale force and heavy seas.

.

Rabaul

The search was on.

May 6th and May 7th

Follow their routes.How did they not find each other?The List of Explanations and Excuses:

• Luck• Unintelligible intel• Inaccurate intel• Contradictory scout reports• Erroneous scout reports• Misdirected attacks

Which of the following best describes the Japanese efforts?

a. Fumbling around in confusion.b. Fumbling around in confusion.c. Fumbling around in confusion.d. All of the above.

Which of the following best describes the Allied efforts?

a. Fumbling around in confusion.b. Fumbling around in confusion.c. Fumbling around in confusion.d. All of the above.

According to Ian W. Toll, “It was almost as if some providential will had chosen

to keep them apart.”

The scout sectors used by both sides.

200 miles

Called “wedges”

CAP squad: “Combat Air Patrol”To circle the carrier for self-protection.

200 mile searches- alwaysCAP squad-alwaysKeep moving-alwaysHide within weather fronts-

if possible.

200 mile range searching – alwaysCap squad – alwaysKeep moving – alwaysHide within weather fronts – if possible

How would you describe the effect on the air crews over three days?

They were:

a. in a state of constant alert.

b. in a state of constant fear.

c. in a state of constant exhaustion.

d. in a state of supreme confidence.

Some specifics on the Japanese search and scout efforts (other than carrier scouts).

They had land-based Type 97 Kawanishi flying boats with a search radius of 1000 miles!They had many search planes at Rabaul.

Some specifics on the Allied search and scout efforts (other than carrier scouts)..The US had 12 PBY Catalina seaplanes based at Noumea.The US and Australia had army bombers available at Townsville with search sectors reaching to Rabaul and the Coral Sea.

When the Japanese “saw” something they feared punishment if they were wrong and thus “didn’t see anything.”

THIS IS GOOD!

One keeps asking, “Why can’t they find each other?”First, why couldn’t the Japanese “97 Kawanishi flying boats find something?

a. Rookie crews.b. Constant bad weather.c. Tendency to

missidentify.d. Fear of the Wildcats.

All US scouts tended to exaggerate. They would report seeing a battleship and cruisers when, in fact, it was an oiler and a transport.

Noumea was out of range of the carriers

The Japanese aircrews feared the US F4F Wildcats and were preoccupied with finding

cloud cover.

SHOHO

SHOKAKU

zUIKAKU

LEXINGTONYORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The search was on.

Scout planes searching towards Port Moresby find the Japanese carrier Shoho

Yorktown planes sink the Shoho!

SHOKAKU

zUIKAKU

LEXINGTONYORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The search was on.

a. Oiler and destroyer

Shoho

With the Shoho under attack all fleets changed positions once again.

Note these two positions for later reference!

SHOKAKU

zUIKAKU

LEXINGTONYORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The Yorktown and Lexington are refueling in rough waters from the tanker Neosho.

Where are the Japanese carriers?

Shoho

70m.

Actual!

The location of the Japanese carriers as based on Allied intel.

What does that mean?

Incompetent scouts and incompetent, unintelligible sightings.

and…… rain and clouds

and…… rain and clouds

While the Lexington and Yorktown were refueling the Japanese carrier fleet was just 70 miles to their starboard.Refueling is the most dangerous time for the carriers, they are most vulnerable.

But,…….the Japanese can’t find them.

Japanese carrier Shoho

SHOKAKUzUIKAKU

LEXINGTONYORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The search was on.

The Oil Tanker Neosho has just completed the refueling of the Yorktown and Lexington.

Japanese Scouts find the Neosho being escorted by a destroyer.

The Neosho and its escort, the destroyer Sims, head for Australia.

BothAreSunk!

Shoho

The searching resumes.

Their pilots identify the two ships as;

a. Oiler and destroyerb. Carrier and cruiserc. Battleship and cruiserd. Two transports

Carrier bombers attack the Neosho and the destroyer, Sims.

Meanwhile, scouts from the Japanese carriers and scouts from the US carriers have located each other, too late in the evening for a launch.The morning of the 8th, both sides launch attacks.

Japanese Zeros on the deck of the Zuikaku

Lexington (foreground) view towards Yorktown

SHOKAKUzUIKAKU

LEXINGTONYORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The search was on.

MAY 8th

0630am planes launched

0710amPlanes launchedResults for

Shokaku:a.Sunkb.No hitsc.Damaged, later sunk.d.Damaged, returned to Tokyo

Results for Lexington:a.Sunkb.No hitsc.Damaged, later sunk.d.Damaged, returned to Pearl Harbor.

SBD Dauntless dive bomber

Japanese carrier Shokoku under fireUSS Lexington hit at Battle of Coral Sea

SHOKAKUzUIKAKU

LEXINGTON

YORKTOWN

.

Rabaul

The searc was on.

MAY 8th

Before the attacks previously, the Australian Ships under Adm Crace TF44 were sent northwest by Fletcher.

Bombers attackCrace!

Actual Japanese results :a. No hitsb.Sunk or damaged the entire force.c.Some damage, no sinkingsd. No hits and lost 5 planes.

What did the Pt Moresby Invasion Force do after their unsuccessful attack on Crace’s ships?a.Continued onb.Headed toward Crace’s ships.c.Circled in anticipation of a 2nd wave.d.Withdrew

The presence of Crace’s fleet was enough for the Japanese to withdraw and cancel their planned invasion of Port Moresby.

Port Moresby Invasion Force

Why did Adm Fletcher send Crace with 3 destroyers and 3 cruisers toward Port Moresby?

a. Crace moved his fleet on his own.b. To protect the bombers at Townsville

and Coen.c. To stop the Port Moresby invasion force.d. It was and still is a mystery.

The Japanese claimed they had sunk one battleship, damaged one British battleship and damaged a cruiser.

Fletcher was highly criticized for sending Crace toward Port Moresby. What was that criticism?a.He should never have split his fleet.b.He sent Crace’s fleet away without air cover.c.He weakened his own task force.d.The Australians were not strong enough to complete their assignment.

b. He sent Crace’s fleet away without air

coverc. He weakened his own

task force.

Who commanded the US Army in northern Australia?a.General Douglas MacArthurb.Chester Nimitzc.Bull Halseyd.General “Chesty” Pullar

MacArthur launched three B-26 bombers north by northeast out of Townsville, Australia.What did they find?a.Japanese Port Moresby invasion force.b.The burning hulk of the Shoho.c.Crace’s fleet.d.Bad weather everywhere.

MacArthur

What happened next?

Too absurd to enter a multiple choice question.

The B-26s bombed Crace’s fleet!?! YES!After the bombing, Crace said,“Fortunately their accuracy was disgraceful.”

No hits!

Another chaotic series of events occurred next.

8:15am Lt. John Nelsen, on search patrol, reported “two carriers and four heavy cruisers” near Jonard Passage.” 175 miles west northwest of Task Force 17; within range of Allied carrier planes.

Fletcher did not hesitate, sending all but a protective CAP force-8 Wildcats, 53 Dive bombers, 22 SBD torpedo bombers.They were launched at 9:25am from the Lexington, 9:45am from the Yorktown.Great visibility and a positive hope. Lt. Nelsen lands at 10:00am on the Yorktown.

He denies that he had seen any carriers.

So, what happened? Take a guess.a.He had lied.b.The radioman on the Yorktown misinterpreted what Nelsen had said.c.Nelsen had jumbled the word “carrier” so that the radioman honestly reported what he had heard.d.Communication between plane and carrier was in code numbers and Nelsen had coded the wrong numbers.

The American losses Lexington sunk and the Yorktown damaged.

The goal of the Japanese was to take control of Port Moresby, moving their perimeter

nearer Australia. That mission was a failure as their forces returned to Rabaul. The Americans had successfully stopped a move by the Japanese to extend their perimeter. Also, the Japanese would be down by two carriers for their Midway Operation.

Of course the Japanese would withhold bad news from the people.

Propaganda was a strong feature of the Japanese media.

“B” “The Japanese Fleet has gained a tremendous victory.”But they could actually be telling the truth!

JUSTIFY a Tokyo Newspaper headline:

“The Japanese fleet has gained a tremendous victory.”Will you need to research?

Project: research to JUSTIFY A JAPANESE VICTORY at the Battle of Coral Sea.

Next……

The Battle of Midway