AUS: WW2 - Battle of the Coral Sea

The 7th of May 2011, marks the 69th anniversary of the climax of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane said many have called it the battle that saved Australia.

Vice Admiral Crane said the battle was a remarkable and decisive encounter which for the first time in naval history saw two aircraft carrier groups fighting each other from over the horizon.

He said there was also a significant contribution made by the Royal Australian Navy with one of the Task Forces being led by the Australian, Admiral John Crace and including HMAS Australia and Hobart.

HMAS Australia (center) and TG17.3 under air attack on May 7

“Whilst it was considered a tactical victory for the Japanese it was a strategic turning point for the Allies in the Pacific.”

“After the battle the Japanese were forced to reassess their New Guinea campaign and they were weakened prior to the Battle of Midway.”

Vice Admiral Crane said in  the days following the battle it was readily apparent that the Australian people were reenergised and injected with new courage and vigour after what had been described as Australia's 'darkest hour'.

“We continue to remember and honour their sacrifice today as a turning point in the war and in our relationship with the United States. As Australians, we remain grateful for the Americans who came to our aid and with whom we fought as one,” he said.

Yorktown conducts aircraft operations in the
Pacific sometime before the battle.
A fleet oiler is in the near background.

“Our partnership has, since 1951, been formalised in the Australia-New Zealand-US (ANZUS) treaty. This year we mark its sixtieth anniversary. “This partnership has been a key feature of Australia and America’s approach to security: we have always defended our common interests in unison.”

Whilst we have fought alongside each other in every major conflict in the last century, the relationship we have today is built on the founding principles of ANZUS.”

AUS DoD