Coral Sea 1942: Turning the Tide

by Richard Freeman

In May 1942, the Americans discovered the Japanese planned to take Port Moresby in New Guinea. After suffering a devastating series of setbacks after Pearl Harbour, it was vital that US forces prevent another loss. Admiral Frank Fletcher was dispatched with two navy task forces and an Australian-US cruiser with orders to destroy the Japanese invasion force. This thrilling book by acclaimed historian Richard Freeman tells the dramatic story of that conflict. Spread over four days, The Battle of Coral Sea was the first air-sea battle in history. With both sides initially only able to attack each other’s light carriers, Fletcher finally found his real prey on the final day of the the invasion fleet of Shōkaku and Zuikaku. Meanwhile the Japanese carrier planes mounted attack after attack on the Yorktown and Lexington. Ultimately, though Japan may have won the battle, it was an American triumph. Coral Sea 1942 is a brilliantly concise and insightful guide to one of the greatest naval battles of the 20th century. Praise for Richard Freeman ’Especially rewarding for those whose historical interests straddle political and military history – Nathan Albright, Naval Historical Foundation Richard Freeman graduated in mathematics before following a career in distance education. He now writes on naval history. His other books include Britain’s Greatest Naval Battle and A Close Run The Navy and the Falkland War.

Genres: History, World War II, Military History, War, American History, Naval History, World History

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2013

Reviews

[Louis Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good explanation of the Battle of the Coral Sea

One of the least known and yet important battles of the young WW2(as far as the US was concerned) explained in an easily understood way. There has been continuous arguments on who won the battle. Certainly trading the loss of the gigantic Lexington for the light carrier Should makes it seem that the Japanese got to he better of it. However, the Japanese failed in their main objective, the taking of Port Morsey. The lessons learned from that battle were very important to the future air battles of the US. And, while neither of the two Japanese carriers were sunk, one carrier was badly damaged and the other lost the bulk of it's planes and pilots. The result was that neither were available at Midway the next month. There three US carriers had to fight four Japanese carriers and it was a very close thing. Had the faced six carriers instead it would have been a very different battle.

[David Crumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you want your WII history with 'Just the facts, ma'am.'
In that headline, I don't mean to scare anyone away from this concise history of what happened in the crucial Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, when both Japan and the U.S. were feeling their way into the new dynamics of naval warfare in the Pacific. In fact, I found it quite a compelling narrative, a real page-turner for folks like me who are immersed in history of that era.
I'm the son and grandson of WWII veterans who each played fascinating roles in that war. My father was in the Pacific and my grandfather served with a secretive U.S. unit in Iran supplying Russia with arms to maintain their war effort. I'm always fascinated by accounts of little-known corners of the war and I can't recall an account this detailed of the action in the Coral Sea.
I read the book on my Kindle.
Happy to recommend this to others who are intrigued by the many often forgotten corners of WWII.

[Terry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the battle of Midway always seems to be on the forefront of military history and how the US carriers especially the dive bombers turned the tide against the Japanese. Yet if the Battle of Coral Sea hadn't have taken place first the outcome of Midway quite possibly been totally different. It was the Coral sea that hard lessons about damage control, air traffic control and coordinated attacks were learned in blood. The lessons took more blood in the fact that the devastator torpedo bomber was noted at Coral Sea to be outclassed and shouldn't have been used at midway. The addition of more fighters was instituted because of Coral Sea.
This book is detailed in the things we got right as well as wrong. well written and informative.

[James C. Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was 12 years old when pearl Harbor occured. I followed the war closely on radio, newspapers, and once a week on the news reel in the theater.. I could identify every plane that flew over our home town, Lockheed P38, Curtis P40 flying.tiger, etc. I cut out pictures of the planes from newspapers, magazine, etc and covered the wall's around my bed with them. I still read a lot of books, currently on this subject. Just finished "Coral sea" on my pad. Excellent coverage of this event. The turning event in WWll. Very good read!
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[Bill hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative without being too deep

While everyone should know the story on the battle of Midway, I wonder how many know about the Coral Sea. This book leads you through the build up and then the battle from both sides. I found the details for the ships, planes and men interesting as well as informative. Never serving in the Navy I came away with a better understanding of what sailors go through I'm n sea battles. Just an interesting book.

[Lisa Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and informative

It's a good recounting of the events of Coral Sea. I do wish that more context was included. Not all of us are proficient in navy terminology. I was glad that I read The battle of Midway by Craig Symonds first as that has a lot more background information.

[Michael Shaoul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadable

Clearly the author knows his history and has written some great books but this is not one of them. Just a horrid collection of information jammed together without any feeling or much obvious care for the craft of writing. Quite why this got republished is beyond me. Should be scrapped and replaced but a much better use of the author's knowledge and talent.

[Griffin S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I wanted. A short, concise and pithy essence of the battle and that is what was delivered. Even as concise as the book was you could still feel the anguish and pain of the battle and how few things go as planned and most battles start by accident.

Read my full review here: https://legendsofhistory.org/coral-se...

[William Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fair overview, but not definitive. There are no maps. The author said the Japanese flew over Yorktown returning to their carrier, and does so without qualifications. That raises a flag. There have been a claim some Japanese tried to land aboard, claims there were miles away and seen on the radar, and claims there were no place close. That suggests to me the sources weren't used crucially

[Sandy Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

The author clearly outlines the adversaries strategies as well as the Japanese & American updates to them as they received information. He also captures surprising detail of the combat operations as well as the heroic damage control efforts after the battle. A great read.

[Joseph W. Muer Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author explains the true causes of our military to fail to deter the Japs at Pearl Harbor.

Roosevelt alone was very aware of Jap advances and did nothing to convince the American isolationist public that we are at war. He was more interested in his 3rd term re election.

[Lonnie Heidtke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great record of the Battle

I liked the writing style and the pace of the battle was described in a way they keeps one interested. One thing that would be a great addition would be maps showing the locations of the battle groups as they moved.

[Tim Eiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too simplistic. A number of what could be errors, or could be related to the overly simplistic nature of the storytelling. Example: the anti-aircraft fire caused the IJN planes to break up into small groups of 3. The small groups were standard practice for the IJN during battle conditions.

[Tom Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise history of the battle

Well written account of the Coral Sea battle in 1942. Fairly concise, very interesting. Not a lot of superfluous lead in or summary. Excellent description of the battle, the men and the consequences.

[MARIE P KLECKNER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of great historical benefit

Written as to make reading historical information enjoyable. A very good read. Provided very specific facts not known before; I was born during WWII and my father was a Navy veteran of that war.

[Cindy Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile read about the Coral Sea

I. Knew little about this battle compared to Midway. Very enlightening to hear of the gallant sailors and airmen who fought and died in this battle. It was a valuable training ground for what lied ahead. RIP Lexington and her lost crews.

[Richard Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Intro to Strategic Battle

This is a short, succinct history of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The author provides very nice detail on the US approach and broad overview of the Japanese strategic aims.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Gives a detailed, blow-by-blow account of the battle.

Somewhat antiseptic. Lacks a human touch to the story.

[Rahat Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written short account of the battle

A good read for all those interested in the Coral Sea action but dont want a lengthy account of events.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers the main points of the battle, especially from the American side. Short book.

[doug hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and good coverage

[Sidney Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a defining book on the Battle of the Coral sea

Very easy read to get the key issues of the battle. Objective analysis based upon both battle reports and personal interviews.

[Versal H. Batesel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs editing

You should have another person read your book before it is published. Story line was confusing with many punctuation and grammar errors.

[RICHARD CLARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift and informative

A short primer on the battle in the Coral Sea. An easy read. A good use of the reader’s time.

[Henry Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent account

Excellent account. Very clear. Could hav3 used more summary material at end … what was there was very good, but needed more discussion!

[Charles McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read.

Lots of interesting information on how the battle was fought and how, unfortunately, the Lexington died. But lessons were learned.

[Jeff Wombold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with just the facts and not a bunch side stories

[Chris Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read.

The book was a very quick read. It is a good basic telling of the battle. If you want more details, other books are out there.

[Samuel Ribeiro Giordano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coral Sea 1942

Tês como nacional se And short Bookbyte brasileira nos you All the information needed to understand and visualize
the naval battle as it probably was . The outcomes are interesting and realistic.

[Chris Bohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

History relived

How much information is packed into this short easily read history. I learned much not previously known and the description of the carriers final moments were such that I thought it was my personal experience. Excellent!!