Which Navy battle is described as a turning point for Japanese carrier battle power, leaving them short on ships, planes, and gas?

The Battle of the Philippine Sea is recognized as a critical turning point in the carrier warfare of the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fought from June 19 to 20, 1944, this battle significantly weakened Japanese naval power. During this engagement, the United States Navy achieved a decisive victory over the Imperial Japanese Navy, resulting in a loss of a substantial number of Japanese aircraft and pilots, which the Japanese could not replace due to their diminishing industrial capacity.

The impact of this battle on Japanese carrier battle power was profound; the considerable loss of aircraft, coupled with the destruction of carrier ships, left the Japanese fleet unable to effectively contest American naval operations in subsequent battles. The depletion of resources, including fuel, aircraft, and trained personnel, created a strategic disadvantage for Japan.

This defeat played a major role in the trajectory of the Pacific War because it essentially eliminated the Japanese Navy's ability to launch major offensives or effectively defend its territories, shifting the balance of naval superiority firmly in favor of the United States. Other battles listed, such as Midway and the Coral Sea, were significant in their own right, but the Philippine Sea specifically marked a point where Japan's capability to wage carrier battles was severely crippled.