Guadalcanal - Part 1 by Bernard Baëza
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Book Review
This is the first part in a two-title coverage of the battle of Guadalcanal, with the sub-title of 'Cactus Air Force versus the Imperial Navy'. The book is in a 384-page A4 format with a hardback cover and wrap-cover (it has no loose dust-jacket).
To sum up a title like this in a concise narrative form is difficult as this is a real in-depth study of the whole conflict, with special emphasis on the main aircraft types involved.
• The initial introduction chapter sets the scene by looking at both the American and Japanese forces, their history and structure as well as detailed lists of the unit, squadrons and ships involved.
• The second chapter starts the in-depth coverage, with a detailed look at operations on both sides as at the 7th August 1942 (Operation Watchtower)
• Next is a section that deals with how the over-confidence by the Imperial Japanese Army lead to them failing to take the upper hand
• This section deals with how the US Navy was able to take advantage of the failure of the Japanese land and sea operation (Ki-Gô).
• This is followed by a chapter that is dedicated to the formation of the 'Cactus Air Force'
• The second attack on the Japanese forces is covered in this next section
• The results of this second attack, with both sides sending in reinforcements, is covered in this next chapter
At this point the coverage has reached early October 1942 and it concludes, with the rest of the battle being left for the second part.
Throughout the title you have a mass of period images plus a very good section of colour side profiles for all the various types that were used in this battle.
Conclusion
A superb book, full of information as well as a source of some excellent images and colour profiles. The text is in French throughout, which is no great problem nowadays with online translation programmes, so this title is most highly recommended to all with an interest in the operations in the Pacific during WWII.
Our thanks to Lela Presse for the review sample, this should be available from specialist outlets in the UK, but if you have any problems visit their website www.avions-bateaux.com or email contact@avions-bateaux.com
This is the first part in a two-title coverage of the battle of Guadalcanal, with the sub-title of 'Cactus Air Force versus the Imperial Navy'. The book is in a 384-page A4 format with a hardback cover and wrap-cover (it has no loose dust-jacket).
To sum up a title like this in a concise narrative form is difficult as this is a real in-depth study of the whole conflict, with special emphasis on the main aircraft types involved.
• The initial introduction chapter sets the scene by looking at both the American and Japanese forces, their history and structure as well as detailed lists of the unit, squadrons and ships involved.
• The second chapter starts the in-depth coverage, with a detailed look at operations on both sides as at the 7th August 1942 (Operation Watchtower)
• Next is a section that deals with how the over-confidence by the Imperial Japanese Army lead to them failing to take the upper hand
• This section deals with how the US Navy was able to take advantage of the failure of the Japanese land and sea operation (Ki-Gô).
• This is followed by a chapter that is dedicated to the formation of the 'Cactus Air Force'
• The second attack on the Japanese forces is covered in this next section
• The results of this second attack, with both sides sending in reinforcements, is covered in this next chapter
At this point the coverage has reached early October 1942 and it concludes, with the rest of the battle being left for the second part.
Throughout the title you have a mass of period images plus a very good section of colour side profiles for all the various types that were used in this battle.
Conclusion
A superb book, full of information as well as a source of some excellent images and colour profiles. The text is in French throughout, which is no great problem nowadays with online translation programmes, so this title is most highly recommended to all with an interest in the operations in the Pacific during WWII.
Our thanks to Lela Presse for the review sample, this should be available from specialist outlets in the UK, but if you have any problems visit their website www.avions-bateaux.com or email contact@avions-bateaux.com
