In an attempt to strengthen Cause_change_of_strength their defensive Defending position in the South Pacific , the Japanese decided Deciding to invade Attack and occupy Control Port Moresby ( in New Guinea ) and Tulagi ( in the southeastern Solomon Islands ) .

Because of the loss Earnings_and_losses of carrier air cover , Inoue recalled Statement the Port Moresby invasion fleet , intending Deciding to try again later .

The severe losses in carriers at Midway prevented Preventing_or_letting the Japanese from reattempting to invade Attack Port Moresby from the ocean and helped Assistance prompt Causation their ill-fated land offensive over the Kokoda Track .

From these , the Japanese had launched Process_start an overland attack Attack on Port Moresby .

In light of developments Cause_to_make_progress in the Solomon Islands campaign Military_operation , Japanese forces Causation approaching Arriving Port Moresby were ordered Request to withdraw Escaping to and secure Preventing_or_letting these bases on the northern coast .

The occupation Control of Tulagi by the Japanese was intended to cover Hiding_objects the flank of and provide Supply reconnaissance support Supporting for Japanese forces that were advancing Self_motion on Port Moresby in New Guinea , provide Supply greater defensive depth for the major Japanese base at Rabaul , and serve Assistance as a base for Japanese forces to threaten and interdict the supply and communication routes between the United States and Australia and New Zealand .

The next day , however , a U.S. aircraft carrier task force en route to resist Defending the Japanese forces advancing on Port Moresby ( later taking part in the Battle of the Coral Sea ) struck Attack the Japanese Tulagi landing force in an air attack , destroying Destroying or damaging Damaging several of the Japanese ships and aircraft involved in the landing operation .

32 Squadron from Port Moresby , New Guinea .

In July 1942 after the Japanese abandoned GiveUp plans to invade Port Moresby from the sea , the base at Salamaua–Lae supported Supporting the ultimately unsuccessful Japanese land offensive towards Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track .

In July 1942 after the Japanese abandoned GiveUp plans to invade Port Moresby from the sea , the base at Salamaua–Lae supported Supporting the ultimately unsuccessful Japanese land offensive towards Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track .