Coral Sea - An Important Battle

In the spring of 1942, Japan's leaders faced a dilemma. Their conquest had progressed faster than expected; the problem was what to do next. Some military leaders suggested that Japan strike the wartorn British Empire in India and the Middle East, then link up with German forces in Southern Russia and North Africa. Take Australia, counseled the Japanese Navy, this was the obvious starting point for an Allied counterattack. The Army opposed both ideas. Japan's ground …

…Coral Sea was a tactical victory for the Japanese. They sunk one large carrier at the expense of one small one. But the Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the U.S. Japan forfeited two large carriers slated for the Midway operation. The Shokaku would take two months to repair, and the Zuikaku was missing too many planes and pilots to continue. The invasion of Port Moresby was postponed, as it turned out, forever.