Tag: aircraft carriers

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Okinawa 1945 Examined in Fully Illustrated, Expertly Researched New Study

Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author James S. Corum is Okinawa 1945: The epitome of joint US airpower in the Pacific, described as the first book to examine US Pacific War tactical airpower at its peak, in the last and greatest island campaign.

The battle for Okinawa turned out to be the last major campaign of World War II, and the largest amphibious invasion of the Pacific War. After years of improvement, Okinawa saw American tactical aviation at its most effective, yet little has been written about how the huge and complex air operation here was organized and fought.

In this book, airpower scholar James S. Corum presents a full portrait of US Navy, Marine and Army Air Force aviation in the battle for Okinawa. Unique to the campaign was the formation of a Marine-commanded Tactical Air Force to support the Army-Marine Tenth Army, which provided the ground forces battling for the island with unparalleled close air support, with only ten recorded instances of friendly fire from 14,000 sorties. He also examines air operations flown from Okinawa after the surrender, and provides an overview of the planned air support for the invasion of the Home Islands from Okinawa.

Fully illustrated with superb original artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this is an expertly researched study of the ultimate tactical air campaign of the Pacific.

The 96 page, paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 17.

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Defeating the Zero: How a Tactical Innovation Overcame Japan’s Deadly Fighter

Coming soon from Air World and author R J Gorman is Defeating the Japanese Zeros: Lieutenant Commander John S. ‘Jimmie’ Thach: One U.S. Navy Pilot and his Part in the Victory in the Pacific , detailing how a brilliant U.S. aerial tactic overcame Japan’s deadly Zero fighter, turning Midway into a decisive Pacific victory.

Lieutenant Commander John S. “Jimmie” Thach of the U.S. Navy recognized the threat posed by the Zero and devised a tactic to counter it. With the Japanese preparing to attack Midway Atoll, Thach trained his pilots in the “Thach Weave,” a revolutionary formation designed to offset the Zero’s superior performance. This tactic proved highly effective in air combat and allowed Thach’s squadron to neutralize the Japanese advantage. The battle at Midway became a turning point in the Pacific War. The U.S. Navy’s victory, aided by Thach’s tactical innovation, crippled Japan’s offensive capabilities. After Midway, the Japanese would never win another major battle, while the Americans would never lose one, marking a decisive shift in the war’s outcome.

The 240 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for January 30.

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