Tag: Naval Warfare

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New Release: Solomon’s Air War Vol. 4 — The Epic Evacuation of Guadalcanal

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and authors Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman is Solomons Air War Volume 4: Operation Ke: The Evacuation of Guadalcanal January – February 1943, which sheds new light on hitherto little-known or misunderstood episodes in the Pacific air war.

This fourth volume of Solomons Air War chronicles aerial warfare throughout the Solomons theatre during the months of January and February 1943. It can be read alone or as part of the ongoing Solomons Air War series. This crucial period saw the Japanese swallow a bitter pill and launch Operation Ke, which was the evacuation of Guadalcanal. It was a complex operation conceived under utmost secrecy, which then unfolded over several weeks. Included was a widespread air offensive that saw the Japanese Army Air Force in the Solomons for the first time. Ironically, this operation was arguably the most successful yet for the Japanese in the theatre.

Against this background the intense air campaign continued. Enjoying a secure foothold on Guadalcanal and ever-growing facilities, Cactus Air Force expanded and pushed operations northwards into the Solomons chain where the Japanese were operating from Munda and building a new airfield at Vila. Temporary reinforcements were provided by carrier squadrons from both sides operating from land bases, including for the first time air units from USN escort carriers. Continue reading New Release: Solomon’s Air War Vol. 4 — The Epic Evacuation of Guadalcanal

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Fighting Fifteen: The Inspiring, Action-Packed Story of the Pacific’s Deadliest Hellcat Squadron

In his recently released book Fighting Fifteen: The Navy’s Top Ace and the Deadliest Hellcat Squadron of the Pacific War, author Stephen L. Moore shares the inspiring, action-packed tale of VF-15, the elite group of U.S. Navy “top gun” pilots that destroyed more enemy planes than any other Pacific War squadron.

David McCampbell ended his tour of duty as the navy’s “ace of aces,” with thirty-four confirmed enemy planes shot down, and received the Medal of Honor. His “Fighting Fifteen” played a major part in bringing an end to the Pacific War. But when the squadron was commissioned in 1943, most of its men—some barely out of their teenage years—were completely new to aerial combat. A string of deadly crashes during training in their rugged new F6F-3 Hellcats led the men to be booted off their first carrier. With their commander fired and McCampbell installed in his place, the group’s future looked bleak.

But McCampbell transformed this ragged group of talented but disparate individuals into a selfless team of well-trained aviators, and by the time they formally entered the Pacific War with a series of daring island strikes, they were ready. Nicknamed “Satan’s Playmates,” during six critical months of combat the squadron destroyed a record-setting 660 enemy planes across air and ground. Twenty-six of the men would eventually become aces, ascending to an elite fraternity and immortalizing the “Fabled Fifteen.” Now, using previously unknown accounts from the aviators themselves, military historian Stephen L. Moore places readers in the heart of the action as McCampbell and his flying band of brothers battle the Japanese navy and its formidable Zero fighters to the death.

The 432 page book is currently available in hardcover, Kindle and audiobook formats.

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Unveiling Okinawa 1945: Dive into the Royal Navy’s Epic Carrier Campaign

Soon to be released from Osprey Publishing and author Angus Konstam is Okinawa 1945: The Royal Navy’s biggest carrier campaign. The title is described as “a fully illustrated study explaining the British Pacific Fleet’s campaign against the Japanese in the Sakishima Islands, and its overlooked role in the battle for Okinawa.”

In this book, naval expert Angus Konstam offers a newly researched account of the Fleet Air Arm’s air campaign in the Sakashimas. By 1945, the carriers and their aircrews were well worked up, and ready to tackle challenging and important targets. He explains the capabilities of the late-war Fleet Air Arm at Okinawa, and analyses their effectiveness against Japan’s still-dangerous airpower. Famously, at Okinawa the Royal Navy’s armoured carriers proved much more resilient to kamikaze strikes than the wooden-topped carriers of the Americans. Packed with spectacular original artwork, photographs, diagrams and maps, this book is a superbly illustrated history of the Royal Navy’s most extensive carrier campaign.

The 96 page paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for January 27.

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