Which battle marked the first carrier vs. carrier engagement in history?

The Battle of Coral Sea is significant in military history as it represents the first engagement where aircraft carriers from opposing forces attacked one another, and thus, the inaugural carrier versus carrier battle. This encounter took place in May 1942, during World War II, when the United States and Australia faced off against the Imperial Japanese Navy. The battle was unique not only for its naval tactics but also for the way it demonstrated the evolving nature of warfare, highlighting the increasing importance of naval aviation.

During this engagement, Carrier Strike Groups launched planes to target enemy carriers, using both dive bombers and torpedo bombers, which illustrated the strategic value of air power in naval conflicts. The outcome of the Coral Sea battle was strategically important as it halted the Japanese advance towards Australia and set the stage for subsequent engagements.

Other options, such as the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Philippine Sea, while pivotal in the Pacific Theater, occurred after the Battle of Coral Sea or focused on different combat operations. Hence, Calibrating history shows that the significant first instance of carrier engagement took place during the Battle of Coral Sea.