Digital version of this book

Dear Reader,

You hold in your hands the second part of the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first true naval battle of the Pacific War. Without a doubt, this battle foreshadows and sets the tone for the major naval battles of this war: two squadrons fighting at great distances from each other using carrier-based aircraft. The reign of the gun came to an end in these first days of May, and with it, the planned demise of armored ships. Yet, both sides would continue to deploy this type of vessel. But while the Japanese would never cease hoping for a "decisive" gun battle, the US Navy would use its battleships to escort its aircraft carriers and to bombard Japanese fortifications during the stages of the reconquest.

One question remains: was the Battle of the Coral Sea an American or a Japanese victory? It's rather difficult to answer this question because, from the Japanese perspective, the loss of the Shoho was fairly insignificant, while the US Navy suffered the loss of the large aircraft carrier Lexington and serious damage to the Yorktown. However, this battle marked the end of Japanese conquests, just as it deprived the Imperial Japanese Navy of the two aircraft carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku for the Battle of Midway the following month. A draw, but with very different consequences for each side. Enjoy your reading and best wishes for 2026!