Consisting of the actions at Tulagi,
May 4th; off Misima, May 7th; and
in the Coral Sea on May 8th, 1942
U. S. Confidential - British Secret
Publication Section, Combat Intelligence Branch
OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
UNITED STATES NAVY
1943
NAVY DEPARTMENT
Office of Naval Intelligence
Washington, D. C.
January 8, 1943.
Combat Narratives are a series of studies of United States naval operations of the current war for the information of officers. They are based upon official documents and contain not only an account of the several actions but also a series of charts and illustrations which should assist the understanding of these events.
Material printed herein is Confidential and should be guarded (1) in circulation and custody of the Narratives and (2) in avoiding discussion of their contents with or within the hearing of any others than commissioned or warrant officers.
REAR ADMIRAL, U. S. N.,
Director of Naval Intelligence.
Foreword
A near hit off the stbard bow of a Zuikaku class carrier.January 8, 1943
Combat Narratives have been prepared by the Publication Section of the Combat Intelligence Branch of the Office of Naval Intelligence for the information of the officers of the United States Navy.
The data on which these studies are based are those official documents which are suitable for a confidential publication. This material has been collated and presented in chronological order.
In perusing these narratives, the reader should bear in mind that while they recount in considerable detail the engagements in which our forces participated, certain underlying aspects of these operations must be kept in a secret category until after the end of the war.
It should be remembered also that the observations of men in battle are sometimes at variance. As a result, the reports of commanding officers may differ although they participated in the same action and shared a common purpose. In general, Combat Narratives represent a reasoned interpretation of these discrepancies. In those instances where views cannot be reconciled, extracts from the conflicting evidence are reprinted.
Thus, an effort has been made to provide accurate and, within the above-mentioned limitations, complete narrative with charts covering raids, combats, joint operations, and battles in which our Fleets have engaged in the current war. It is hoped that these narratives will afford a clear view of what has occurred, and form a basis for a broader understanding which will result in ever more successful operations.
E. J. King
ADMIRAL, U. S. N.,
Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations.
Chart: Southwest Pacific (facing p. 1).
Illustration: Near hit on Zuikaku class carrier (facing p. 1).
Illustration: Torpedo planes attacking the Shoho (facing p. 26).
Illustrations: Effects of a hit on Lexington gun gallery;
Abandoning the Lexington;
Explosion rocks the Lexington (center of book).Illustration: Lexington survivors rescued by cruiser (facing p. 27).
Chart: Task Force FOX track 4-8 May, 1942 (facing p. 60).
Illustrations: Grumman "Wildcat" and Japanese Zero fighters (facing p. 60).