An historian from the Sea Power Centre - Australia, discusses the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. That year is remembered in Australia's history as being amongst the darkest days of World War II. Australia's mainland came under attack within months of Japan entering the war. Securing Australia's sea lines of communications was pivotal to keeping Australia in the fight. The Battle of the Coral Sea was one of several important naval battles and the precursor for the Battle of Midway.