What was a significant aspect of the Battle of the Coral Sea?

The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought in May 1942, was indeed significant because it was characterized primarily by air power rather than direct ship-to-ship combat. This battle was notable for being the first naval engagement in history where aircraft carriers played a central role, and the primary combat took place between aircraft launched from these carriers, rather than between the ships themselves.

The significance lies in how this shift to air warfare represented a new era in naval engagements, fundamentally changing the dynamics of naval strategy. The focus on aircraft allowed for the projection of power and reconnaissance capabilities far beyond the line of sight of ships, making this battle a key moment in naval history.

The context surrounding the other options highlights why the chosen answer stands out: the battle did not involve traditional naval combat; there was no use of submarines in a strategic capacity as governments had primarily relied on surface vessels and bombers; and although it involved a significant number of ships, it was not the largest naval battle when considering the total number of ships engaged.