Book 2

Battle of the Coral Sea

by Chris Henry

Published 29 January 2004
By May 1942 Japanese aircraft carriers dominated the Pacific. After decimating the American surface fleet at Pearl Harbor and supporting a series of amphibious attacks in the Philippines and Indonesia they were poised to invade Papua New Guinea, the last stop before Australia. This second title in the new Great Naval Battles series describes America's first countercheck to Japan's triumphal progress--the Battle of the Coral Sea. The strategies of Admiral Fletcher and Vice Admiral Takagi, profiles of the ships involved, the battle arena, and the aftermath of the clash are all covered in a concise format that brings to life the battle that inaugurated a new era of carrier combat. This valuable reference, like the others in the series, will appeal to everyone interested in the pivotal naval clashes of World War II.