Thu, 8th May 2008

Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration

The Hon Bob Baldwin MP
Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence

The Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence, Bob Baldwin, has encouraged all Australians to remember the largest naval battle ever fought off Australia’s shores.

“This week marks the 66th anniversary of The Battle of the Coral Sea which is regarded as a vital turning point in the Pacific in World War 2,” said Mr Baldwin who will attend a commemoration service in Canberra on Thursday 8 May 2008.

The Battle of the Coral Sea was a series of naval engagements off the north-east coast of Australia between 4 and 8 May 1942. It was fought by United States and Australians against the Japanese, pitting aircraft against four different major groups of warships.

“This battle has been marked on history’s pages as the first aircraft carrier battle ever fought - carried out in an era of poor communications, unpredictable weather conditions with the vulnerability and slowness of massive ships which compared to today’s standards had incredibly limited technology and equipment.”

“The battle was truly significant because it stopped the Japanese sea-borne invasion of Port Moresby.

“Today we remember the souls lost in the battle and the strong bond that was forged between Australia and the United States in the war, when our servicemen and women served alongside each other with courage.”