May 5-10
Pacific, Philippines
US and Filipino forces on Corregidor finally surrender after a Japanese landing on the island. Some 12,495 US and Filipino troops (including Major Generals Jonathan Wainright and Edward King) are captured. The Philippines campaign has claimed 140,000 US and Filipino lives, plus 4000 Japanese dead.

May 6-7
Sea War, Pacific
Although the opposing Japanese and US carrier groups are only 70 miles (112 km) apart, their reconnaissance flights fail to locate each other. Australian and US cruisers in Task Force 44, under British Rear Admiral Sir John Crace, are then sent to find the Port Moresby Invasion Group. Although poor weather prevents an attack, the unfolding battle leads the group to turn back to its Rabaul base on the 7th. Japanese aircraft sink the US destroyer Sims, and the tanker Neosho (which is mistaken for a carrier) is scuttled. US forces successfully destroy the Shoho and 21 aircraft that attempt to engage the US carriers.

May 8
Sea War, Pacific
US aircraft damage the Shokaku, while Zuikaku's aircraft losses are very serious in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Japanese aircraft hit the Lexington, which is later scuttled, and damage the Yorktown. This is the first ever battle fought exclusively with carrier aircraft. The US Navy loses a carrier but repairs to the Yorktown are speedy. Japan loses a smaller carrier while the other two Coral Sea carriers will be unfit for action in the approaching battle at Midway. Large numbers of Japanese aircraft and experienced pilots have also been lost. The abandonment of the Port Moresby landing is the first major blow to Japanese expansionism.

US sailors abandon the Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea

May 8-15
Eastern Front, Crimea
The German Eleventh Army launches its attack against the Soviet Crimean Front. The Soviets resume their attempt to surround German units against the Sea of Azov in a battle around Kharkov. Germany's Eleventh Army captures the Crimean Kerch Peninsula on the 15th and continues to fight along the Donets River.

prev | next