Conquests have taken Japan to the edge of Australia, India, and Hawaii. The big question of what next rages in Tokyo. Even so, a big part of that is taking place anyway, in the Coral Sea. The light carrier Shoho under is headed for Port Moresby in New Guinea, while another force, led by the seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru, is enroute to Tulagi in the Solomons. Japanese intelligence believes the Americans have little in the area.
Japanese intelligence is wrong.
American codebreakers in Hawaii have read the Japanese plans, and Rear Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher's Task Force 17, with carrier Yorktown and Rear Adm. Aubry Fitch's Task Force 11, with carrier Lexington, have been despatched to cope with the attack. They are supported by Task Force 44, under Rear Adm. J.C. Crace, Royal Navy, with its two Australian cruisers, Australia, and Hobart. Fletcher, being senior, is in overall command. During the day, Fletcher moves forward while Fitch refuels. The two carrier groups are 100 miles apart as day ends, in the Coral Sea, ignorant of the enemy's immediate movements.