First Battle of Port Moresby (naval)

First Battle of Port Moresby HMS Revenge exploding, supporting cruisers are avoiding torpedo attacks. Beginning: May 6 1942 End: Seconds later Location: South of Port Moresby Outcome: Decisive Japanese Victory Combatants Empire of Japan United Kingdon Commanders Tomiji Koyanagi Lazarus V. Morgan† Strength 2 Battleships 1 Heavy Cruiser 2 Destroyers. 1 Battleship 1 Heavy Cruiser 4 Light Cruisers 1 Destroyer Transports and support ships Casualties 1 Battleship heavily damaged. 1 Battleship, 1 Heavy Cruiser sunk. All support ships sunk. Remainder of fleet is badly damaged.

The First Battle of Port Moresby, or モーメント作戦 (Mo Sakusen or "Operation Mo") was iniated when the British attempted to stop Japanese naval invasion of New Guinea's capital. A single Japanese battleship was reported, when in fact there were two, IJN Kongo and IJN Hiei, present. This intelligence error cost the British much of their fleet and suspended their New Guinea support for some time.

HMS Revenge's loss was the second of her class, with HMS Royal Sovereign lost in February as she arrived to fight in the Java Campaign. HMS Resolution was later lost in the Marshall Island campaign. Along with the loss of Royal Oak in 1939 and HMS Ramillies in 1943, all that remains of the five Revenge sisters are memories.