OK intro on late war land-based Japanese naval interceptors and their pilots
351744
This slim book is a good resource on the late war Japanese fighter groups and the Raiden and Shiden/Shiden-Kai fighters they flew. I found it more of a slog to get through than an enjoyable read however. In part this is because these men and their machines are essentially doomed against the massively more powerful forces arrayed against them at this stage of the Pacific war, but chiefly because there are so many all too briefly accounted Kktai (fighter groups) and pilots and so little narrative about them. There is a nice assortment of photos of pilots and (often) poor quality ones of their aircraft.
3207374
This book is for those who read WWII history books.  It is limited to the air war in a small area of the Pacific and describes an innovative American hero who contributed greatly to American success against the Japanese navy.
3842266
This is volume XIII of Samuel E. Morison's History of United States Naval Operations in WWII, and the eighth of nine on the Pacific theater.  In it, Morison relates the recapture of the remainder of the Philippine islands after the Battle of Leyte Gulf in volume XII.  Mindoro, Luzon, Mindanao and others are recaptured from the Japanese, who now have practically no navy to speak of.  However, the Japanese Kamikazes emerge in force, and quickly prove a daunting hazard to U.S. naval and amphibious forces.

As always, Morison spares no details on the specifics of the amphibious landings.  This time, however, the beach assaults have to deal with Kamikazes targeting not only regular surface ships but LSTs as well.

Of special interest in this volume is the typhoon of mid-December, 1944, which damaged Halsey's task force to the tune of three destroyers, eight hundred lives and many aircraft.  The same admiral who let Kurita pass unmolested through the San Bernardino Strait on October 25 is now investigated for neglect in allowing his task force to be battered by a typhoon east of the southern Philippines on December 17-18.  Morison lists Halsey's "commendable zeal" for supporting the Luzon landings as one of the reasons for the typhoon disaster.
368136
Mostly whimsical series of scenes from a naval aviator's career flying jets.  Particularly evocative in describing some of the more hair-raising events, such as air combat in Vietnam and night landings.
3608036
Whirlwind is in essence an overview of the American bombing of Japan. The author has used mostly secondary sources which means he has added little to the historiography of the subject. Nonetheless, I feel the author has provided the reader with an assemblage of information and with the applicable citations needed should the reader wish to pursue certain aspects further. The book would have benefited from a bibliography.

The author also refutes the revisionists' criticism of the use of the atomic bomb as he does when assessing the overall bombing campaign. The bombing campaign against Japan was effective and the use of the atomic bomb was justified based on the radio intercepts of late July 1945.

The author also does an excellent job in relating pertinent personal narratives. Overall the writing is very good and the reader should enjoy the experience.

Best regards,
James
3337410
Right up to the end, Japans strategy for ending the Pacific War was to make continuing the fight unacceptably costly for her enemies.  In late 1944 and early 1945, when it was evident the Allies were willing to accept ever larger costs in order to defeat Japan, Japanese strategy did not change.  During this same time Japanese use of special attacks gradually transitioned from a temporary expedient in support of operation Sho-go in the Philippines to a central element of Japanese strategy.

Hatsuho Naitos Thunder Gods: the Kamikaze Pilots Tell Their Story relates many details of this transition, loosely framing the narrative on the history of the purpose-built Ohka rocket-powered suicide plane.  Commendably, Naito examines both why the Imperial Navy persisted in maintaining that special attacks could somehow still turn the tideand why Japanese pilots continued to sacrifice themselveswhile at the same time indirectly condemning the whole idea.  Naito achieves this dual purpose by relating second-person anecdotes about individuals and groups involved, including the designers of the Ohka and its employment tactics, friends and professional colleagues of kamikaze pilots, and even one or two would-be kamikaze pilots themselves.  These stories make it clear that even while they pressed onand whyvirtually all the Japanese involved questioned the wisdom, morality, and effectiveness of what they were doing.

It has been suggested that Japans late-war reliance on kamikaze attacks was the result of a reasoned analysis of prevailing operational conditionsthat given outclassed aircraft and the diminished skill level of Japanese pilots, kamikaze attacks actually cost the Japanese less in men and materiel than conventional attacks did to achieve the same results.  Naitos accounts of irrational and myopic leadership decisions does much to refute this assertion, and his decision not to venerate the pilots too greatly lends an air of objectivity missing from other books about the Kamikazes.  Coming from a Japanese author these stories amount to an unflattering critical analysis of the kamikaze phenomenon and dispel many misconceptions about the motivations of the pilots and especially of the men who organized the effort.
1725655
I've had very mixed review in Osprey's Dual series, no matter I do enjoy looking at them and seeing if the writer does a good job comparing things (or at least makes me appreciate or agree with their assessment).  WWI aviation is an interest of mine and I've had an interest in DH2's and wanted to see what the writer had to say.
This one followed the standard Osprey Duel series rhythm nicely giving good insight into both aircraft (more so than the men who flew them).  Descriptions are nice and tight with good information provided on the development of both airframes and some interesting insight on the men who flew them.  The biggest lack is the amount of performance comparison data which is probably due more to the lack of documentation than due to the author.  This lack of data impacts the ability to truly compare the two craft (though history kind of did since the DH2 design was basically retired until the jet age).  Let's call this one a good 4 star book due tot he information presented by the author.
2109231
This is a good, although short book on the subject of Japanese World War II rifles. Each model that I am aware of is covered. The data offered is based on the author's examination of a large number of various models of Japanese rifles. The book is well organized, I wa able to find information on the rifle I own with ease. The information is limited on any one model of rifle due, according to Mr. McCollum, to the extensive damage to the factories and the resulting limited lack of records caused by the aerial bombing campaign.
3236983
The AVG's first encounter with the Japanese Air Force over Kunming, China, on 20 December 1941 is often written about.  The version Dan Ford presents here is probably the most complete picture extant.  Ford shows the action from the perspective of the AVG pilots involved, but he also includes the recollections of one of the Japanese bomber pilots who survived the day.  He looks to other sources, including Chennault's Chinese warning net, which confirmed ten Japanese bombers entering China that day, and seven leaving.  In addition to details of the 20 December action, Ford includes a section of background useful to readers not familiar with the AVG Flying Tigers - and that may also have an interesting point or two for those who are.

  While it does not detract from Ford's depiction of the 20 December action, he touches on two points that have become contentious.  He calls the AVG mercenaries.  But as Ford himself notes, the AVG was sponsored by the White House and paid for with American loans.  In 1941 there was no term to describe that; today we would call it covert action.

  The other issue is the matter of the "official" score, the claims for aircraft shot down.  Given the confusion that attends aerial combat, and the time that has passed since those battles were fought, this is an issue that will never be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
4502322
This is the most detailed report to date, the result of interviews with both American and Japanese pilots and Naval Officers.  The first Allied offensive in the Pacific was nearly lost when the Japanese brought in battleships and heavy cruisers, and they had the benefit of land-based as well as carrier-based aircraft.

The allies nearly lost Guadalcanal, and this book is testimony to the few brave men of "the first team who turned back the Japanese fleet, again and again.  This was not without loss of pilots and ships, including the carrier Wasp.  The only other allied carrier in the region, the Enterprise, had to stay beyond the range of the land-based enemy aircraft.

It's a big book, about a critical battle of WW2.
4710977
For decades, American warplanes were colorful birds, dolled up in a variety of camouflage schemes and sometimes wearing special markings. Then, in the 1990s, 'low visibility' became the buzzword and U.S. warbirds became drab, drab, drab! Author Robert Dorr traces the history of U.S. military aircraft markings in this 1990 coffee-table release from Motorbooks International.

Dorr's book is divided into chapters on fighters, trainers, nose art and so on. Though the book is subtitled GLORY DAYS OF US AIRCRAFT MARKINGS, the emphasis is clearly on the early 1960s-late 1980s period. Perhaps 10% of the pix show pre-Vietnam War aircraft. Consequently the reader is treated to dozens of gorgeous color shots of A-7s, F-106s, F-4s, A-4s, B-52s, Tweets, A-10s, F-15s, F-14s, etc. in standard and/or special markings including CAG and CO birds, 1976 Bicentennial schemes, etc.

Though long in the tooth, FIGHTING COLORS is an OK guide to the subject, offering up a general overview of American camouflage/markings illustrated with some nice pix of U. S. warbirds in all their finery. Recommended.
2075488
MMP Books breaks new ground with this book covering Japanese aircraft engines from the beginning through the end of World War II. It is a comprehensive book that covers all aspects of the subject. The engines developed by the major manufacturers take pride of place and space but the pioneers and minor manufacturers are not neglected nor are the engines built under license. There is a natural chronological bias as well with engines in production during the war getting proportionally more attention than prewar types.

Japanese designation systems are gone into in great depth but it is very easy for even the long time enthusiast to get confused by the bewildering number of systems in use at any given time. One gets the impression that the joint system started in 1943 did little more than add to the confusion. With Japanese aircraft one can pick a designation system (short designation for Navy and kitai number for Army works best for most of us) with little chance of confusion since the Army and Navy rarely used the same aircraft. But that's not the case with engines.

The book is a laminated hard cover with decorated boards, an 8-1/4" x 11-3/4" text block, and 216 pages, all put to good use. There is no color to be found in these pages. The book has illustrations but they are all photos of completed engines so are of limited value in discerning details. Engines are not the most photogenic of subjects. Drawings are to be preferred but there are none to be had. A strong point of the book is the comprehensive tables and indexes that allow the reader to extract data with minimum effort. Another strong point is the focus on the aircraft the various engines powered.

There are a few minor complaints. There was a word processing breakdown that left a lot of words hyphenated mid line like "pro-duction". Also, the decision to break up the Mitsubishi and Nakajima companies into prewar and war chapters was ill considered as many engines (some of the more widely used ones) straddled both chapters adding confusion to an already confusing subject.

Highly recommended. The book has a wealth of information and should do for Japanese engines what the two Putnam volumes did for Japanese aircraft decades ago.
2971764
Richard Newcomb's The Battle of Savo Island is a good, though dated, retelling of the lead-in to the battle and the course of the battle. The only things it lacks is an evaluation of the battle itself from both the American and Japanese point of view.

The author does a good job of recounting the events that led up to the battle. The author has done his research and is able to give the state of affairs on both the allied side and the Japanese side. Both navies certainly had their own challenges: the Americans had suffered in the wake of Pearl Harbor and watched as much of their resources were diverted to the war in Europe first, the Japanese had just come off the devastating loss of four carriers at Midway. The author spends some time on the intelligence failures which contributed to the disastrous defeat for the allied fleet.

The author gives the reader the strengths of opposing forces both in terms of numbers and types of ships as well as capabilities. The author stresses the amount of training the Japanese devoted to night fighting as well as the effectiveness of their "long lance" torpedoes that were so dangerous to IJN opponents. The author gives a good idea of how the allied cruiser force was set up and how the departure of Admiral Crutchley left them without any kind of overall command. The author concludes with the various investigations and hearings that looked at the disaster of Savo Island.

I think the author did a good job of telling he reader what happened, but a poor job of telling us why it happened and what it all meant. It's obvious that the Japanese performed so well because they practiced night fighting and they acted aggressively. On the other hand, the allied ships were essentially asleep literally and figuratively. One of the American destroyers supposed to guard the channel to the south of Savo steamed right past the Japanese force and never saw it! The Japanese saw it, but chose not to fire upon it so as not to alert the bigger game further on. The American navy simply wasn't alert, wasn't practiced and wasn't ready to fight. As a matter of fact, the most powerful naval unit in the area, Admiral Fletcher's carrier strike group, nervously fled the area at first opportunity, leaving the rest of the invasion fleet with less air-scouting ability as well as attack forces that could have severely punished the Japanese force as they retreated back up "the Slot".

The author spends little time on evaluating the Japanese "after action". Clearly, the Japanese inflicted a crushing defeat on the allies. But, they didn't press on and attack the invasion force, sinking transports (now empty of Marines, but still full of supplies) and inflicting an even greater defeat on American and allied forces and clearing the way for re-taking Guadalcanal by their own forces. The Japanese navy clearly missed an opportunity that could have swayed the tide of the Guadalcanal campaign for their own side.

In conclusion, this book will tell you "what" happened, along with the bravery of American sailors, but not the "why" or a very good evaluation of the battle's effects. Still, a solid four stars.
955724
U.S. NAVAL AVIATION, 1919 - 1941
E.R. Johnson
McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers
$45.00, 338 Pages.
<...>
Order line: (800) 253-2187

  Whether you have been a student of United States Naval Aviation for seventy years, thirty years or just starting out in this interesting journey, this book should definitely be in your library.
  The quality of the text, photos and Lloyd S. Jones' four view drawings are excellent. The introduction is concise and intellectually informative. The years 1919 through 1941 were vitally important to US Naval Aviation. During the course of these two decades, the US Navy literally invented aircraft carrier operations. It was given a blank slate and through years of trial and error, the foundation was laid that culminated in the successes of World War II.
  Naval leadership during this time period proved their worth. There were many important men, each building and shaping this new force of warfare. Because of his many innovations in day-to-day carrier operations as well as the tactical role carriers would play within the Battle Fleet, Vice Admiral Joseph M. Reeves lead the pack.
  This book presents a summary of 190 aircraft that traversed the two decades between the two world wars. The majority of these naval aircraft are accompanied by Lloyd S. Jones' four views beginning with the DH-4B and ending with the Schweizer LNS-1.
  Mr. Jones' 40 color profiles provide a glimpse of the colorful paint schemes in use at the time. There is an interesting section on lighter than air, both rigid and blimps. Sixteen line drawings by Mr. Jones are presented.
  For those interested in aviation ship development, this book provides it. There are eight line drawings included. Racing and experimental aircraft sponsored by the US Navy are covered as well as foreign aircraft and airships. A complete listing of US naval aircraft, airship and unit designations, nomenclatures and abbreviations are listed. The status of naval aircraft as of December 1941 by make and model shows how much we didn't have at the time.
  This book provides a glossary of naval and aeronautical terms for the time period. A bibliography is provided as well as an eight page detailed index vital to any serious book.
  This work sets the tone for the subject and belongs on your bookshelf next to the fine expert works of Bill Larkins, Pete Bowers, John Elliott and Barret Tillman.
  Thomas E. Doll
1592110
This book keeps up the tradition of other books in this fine series.  This volume describes the action which took place in and around the Marianas Islands in the summer of 1944.  The islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam were successfully captured and turned into air bases for the big B-29 Superfortresses so they could reach the Japanese homeland.  These battles were fought with great savagery on both sides.  For example, rather then surrender to the American forces, many Japanese soldiers and civilians threw themselves from cliffs overlooking the Pacific on Saipan.
The Battle of the Philippine Sea is where the Japanese navy ultimately, for all intents and purposes, ceased to be an effective fighting force.  However, at the beginning, it was the Japanese who sighted the Americans first.  They launched four successive attacks against Admiral Spruance's carriers while Spruance was still searching for the Japanese ships.  Thanks to murderous anti-aircraft fire and superior combat air patrol, the Japanese would end up losing over four hundred aircraft in what has become known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot".  Three Japanese aircraft carriers were also sunk by American submarines and planes.  However, this victory was greatly scrutinized.  Spruance was criticized for not finding the enemy ships sooner, and for conducting poor air searches.  Many believed that the victory could have been even greater than it was had the Japanese been spotted sooner, or had the Americans done a better job of pursuing the fleeing Japanese.
This is a very good book, and the battle is explained expertly with the help of numerous maps and photographs.  I highly recommend this book, as well as others in this series.  They give the reader a first-hand account of the war at sea.
2345860
McDonald Publishing and the Imperial War Museum teamed up back in the late 1960s and early 1970s to publish this tight series of illustrated paperbacks on the history of World War I, World War II (and a few other conflicts of the 20th century), which were picked up by Ballantine in the United States. They were all divided into subjects: battles, campaigns, weapons, war leaders, politics in action, human conflict, and regalia, by color bands on the bottom, enjoying common editing and artwork, and a fairly common collection of well-known historians. They cost $1 at the time (a good deal of money) and a lot more now (being out of print).

The series as a whole is slightly outdated by the disclosures from Allied codebreaking, and suffered from being whipped together in a hurry, but they remain then and now a fine introduction to conflict in the 20th century -- if you can find them.

This volume, written by a well-known British naval historian, is an overview of the Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to the Japanese retreat from Guadalcanal. It has to cover a lot of ground in a very short space (about 175 pages), and hits the expected highlights with crisp efficiency, photographs, and maps. All the usual subjects are discussed: Pearl Harbor, the fall of Malaya, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, Hong Kong, and Burma, as well as the decisive battles at Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal.

The book stresses that Japan's economic and military power, while initially powerful, could not match its Anglo-American enemies over the long haul. Mr. Kennedy ends his account with Japan facing a long, slow, and losing defensive war against increasingly powerful Anglo-American forces.

Needless to say, the book is an overview, so there isn't much detail or personal accounts, and the focus is more at the high levels of decision-making and the arrows on the map. But the book remains a solid introduction to the first year-and-a-half of World War II in the Pacific. Highly recommended for the new student of World War II.
3323893
Mr. Shores writes in a style reminiscent of military history books authored in the '70's. This means the book is well researched down into the individual flights within the squadrons with the theaters getting their own chapters with the events in chronological order. That's not to say that the scope is limited, far from it. Losses of various civilian aircraft receive adequate coverage as well does a myriad of French, Filipino, Dutch, and Thai units. The index at 10 pages is quite in-depth and in order to fit everything is an extremely small font. The only possible complaint about the index would be aircraft types are not listed in the index. So,if you're interested in the Dutch CW-21, you're going to be leafing through the book. I do believe the book does suffer for want of footnotes and a bibliography  It was a difficult decision whether to deduct a star for these faults. In the end, they are not major enough warrant a deduction. Any contemporary reader of this author will undoubtedly have the ability to do a little research without being spoon-fed.

Having said that, the book provides a British (With Japanese input.) perspective of the first few disastrous months of the Pacific war and is recommended without reservation.