Overview

In late January 1944 a force of New Zealand soldiers and Allied specialists undertook a daring behind the lines reconnaissance of the Japanese-held Green Islands of Papua New Guinea. The New Zealand Army's largest amphibious operation of World War II followed two weeks later. The Japanese contested the invasion with air power and inflicted heavy damage on the American cruiser USS St. Louis. After landing, the New Zealanders pushed inland and encountered fanatical Japanese defenders entrenched in thick jungle. Allied engineers--including the famed Seabees--then built airfields, roads and shipping facilities. The seizure of the Green Islands completed the encirclement of the main Japanese base in the South Pacific at Rabaul. A memorable but overlooked action of the Pacific War, ""Operation Squarepeg"" involved a diverse force of Allied sailors, soldiers and airmen that included Charles Lindbergh and future U.S. president Richard Nixon.

Full Product Details

Author:   Reg Newell
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.290kg
ISBN:  

9780786478385

ISBN 10:   0786478381
Pages:   221
Publication Date:   30 November 2017
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction One. The Strategic Landscape, January 1944 Two. The Opposing Forces Three. The “Commando Raid”—A Reconnaissance in Force Four. Planning an Amphibious Invasion Five. Bloody St. Valentine’s Day—The Ordeal of USS St. Louis Six. Invasion Seven. The Push Inland Eight. Japanese Resistance Nine. Tank and Infantry Action at Tanaheran Ten. Aftermath and Consolidation Eleven. Significance and Legacy Chronology Glossary Appendices I: New Zealand Order of Battle for the “Commando Raid,” 30 January 1944 II: New Zealand Order of Battle, Operation Squarepeg, 15 February 1944 III: New Zealand and American Units Involved in Operation Squarepeg, 15 February 1944 IV: U.S. Naval Forces Involved with Operation Squarepeg, 15 February 1944 V: U.S. Navy Task Organization for Squarepeg VI: Specifications of the Valentine Tanks of 3NZ Division Tank Squadron VII: Echelons to the Green Islands Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

"""Very well written and greatly informative.... This book details, not only what happened during the operation, but it shows the big picture of the operation and great importance it had in the Island Hopping Campaign, and the isolation of the Japanese strongholds of Rabaul and Truk. I highly recommend this book.""--USS St. Louis CL-49 'Hubble-Bubble'."

Very well written and greatly informative.... This book details, not only what happened during the operation, but it shows the big picture of the operation and great importance it had in the Island Hopping Campaign, and the isolation of the Japanese strongholds of Rabaul and Truk. I highly recommend this book. --USS St. Louis CL-49 'Hubble-Bubble'.

Author Information

Reg Newell has a doctoral degree from Massey University, Palmerston North (with a dissertation on New Zealand’s Third Division in the Pacific) and continues researching the Pacific War. He lives in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

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