On May 7 and 8, 1942, an important battle took place, the Battle of the Coral Sea. The battle was fought by aircraft from both sides. No ships were involved. The Japanese wanted to seize New Guinea and leave Australia behind. The actions in the Coral Sea resulted from a Japanese operation to capture Port Moresby, on the southeast coast of New Guinea. The Japanese air base threatens Australia and supports plans for future expansion, trying to help Australia get out of the war and exchange the strategic defense of Japan's ocean empire. In the spring of 1942, the Japanese made great gains in the Far East. The conquest of the Philippines, Burma, Malaya and the Dutch East Indies had cost the Japanese navy 23 warships. Additionally, 67 transport ships were also lost. The naval command expected a greater loss. Some thought it would be better if they continued to make territorial conquests, Admiral Nagano was a supporter. Others, followed by Admiral Yamamoto, wanted an all-out attack on American planes. Yamamoto believed that destroying the American planes would ensure Japan's security. For this reason, Yamamoto wanted to attack Midway, as he believed that such an attack would permanently draw the United States Navy into a battle that he believed Japan would win. However, everything changed when the Americans forced the Japanese. On April 18, 1942, the United States launched bombs from two aircraft carriers that bombarded Tokyo. With this, it gave Yamamoto more strength against the American carriers on May 5. Naval Headquarters Order 18 was notified, and it ordered Yamamoto to lead an attack on Midway, this operation took place in June 1942......... middle of paper ... ... uh 'Phelps' finished off the 'Lexington' with five torpedoes, the Lexington sank. The Japanese then gave up trying to capture Port Moresby, as they feared that the Americans still had the power to destroy many of their landing craft. The Japanese emerged victorious in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The loss of the “Lexington” was great and far exceeded that of the “Shoho”. In total, the Japanese lost 43 planes to the Americans. The battle is considered an American victory because it ultimately prevented the Japanese from doing what their plan was to do, which was capture Port Moresby, and excluded Australia. It was a great victory for the Americans. The Battle of Midway caused more damage to the Japanese than the others. .uk/battle_of_coral_sea.htm