Overview
This first volume of Solomons Air War chronicles aerial warfare in the opening phase of the war in the Solomons Islands theatre, being the critical period of August-September 1942. After occupying the Solomon Islands capital of Tulagi with ease in May 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy commenced building an airfield on the adjacent island of Guadalcanal. The indispensable airfield was over 600 miles distant from their main base of Rabaul and promised to extend the reach of their aircraft into the Allied occupied island chains of Fiji, the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. Much was at stake and the airfield would be held at all costs. Then, in early August 1942 a bold American invasion of both Tulagi and Guadalcanal caught the IJN completely off guard. Nevertheless, Japanese air power responded swiftly and in some cases desperately. So began the knife-edge struggle for Guadalcanal. An ever-increasing variety and number of IJN units was poured into the struggle, met initially with USN carrier-based Wildcats backed up by SBD Dauntless dive-bombers and the new TBF torpedo bomber. These were soon joined by USAAF fighters operating from the newly operational Henderson Field. From late August, Japanese carriers entered the fight, adding more complexity to the intense and frenzied air battles. For the first time belligerents are closely matched and the rationale of the IJN’s sometimes erratic response is explained. The full extent of both Japanese and US involvement is outlined to a level of detail never before presented.
Full Product Details
Author: Michael Claringbould ,
Peter Ingman
Publisher: Avonmore Books
Imprint: Avonmore Books
ISBN: 9780645246933
ISBN 10: 064524693
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 01 December 2022
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
"""Why we love this book is that it deep-dives into details of the incredible air war at the opening of the Solomons Campaign like never before.""-- ""South Pacific WWII Museum"""
"""...well-written, easy to comprehend, and supported by its index and resources. It is an excellent source for the Pacific air war researcher and enthusiast alike.""-- ""The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"" ""Why we love this book is that it deep-dives into details of the incredible air war at the opening of the Solomons Campaign like never before.""-- ""South Pacific WWII Museum"""
Author Information
Raised in Port Moresby, Michael Claringbould is a globally recognised expert on the Pacific air war. Peter Ingman is an Australian military history author specialising in the Pacific War.
