What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
...and, so much for spellcheck. It should read The Emperor's Codes by..., kana operators..., and Yamamoto isn't spelt Yamammoto!
Aaaaarrrggghh!
Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand
Aaaaarrrggghh!
Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
reading the official Japanese war history for the second time, and the Maru Bessatsu series
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Just completed "Zero Hour at Broome". One excellent read. Great history of that tragic event, and material on all the aircraft types at that time.
Pity no-one has yet found the wreckage of the B24, shot down off shore.
Pity no-one has yet found the wreckage of the B24, shot down off shore.
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Just joined the forum. This thread has some great intros to some obviously interesting books.
Last books read are:
Fortress Rabaul by Bruce Gamble - great read about the taking of Rabaul by the Japanese, buildup as a base by the latter and the battles in the area.
This lead me to read the following:
Whispering Death - Australian Airmen in the Pacific War by Mark Johnston - great read with interesting detail whilst covering the expanse of the Pacific War for Australian airmen pretty well.
Kokoda by Paul Ham - an intriguing and detailed account of this campaign, viewed by combatants of both sides.
Storm over Kokoda by Peter Ewer - another good book covering the aerial campaign in New Guinea, drawn mostly from the anecdotes of Australian and Japanese aircrew. Covers a smaller timeframe and area.
I'm becoming fascinated by 75 Squadron RAAF, particularly their time based at Port Moresby flying P-40E Kittyhawks against great odds.
I'm part way into Baa Baa Black Sheep by Greg Boyington - good so far (only up to his early AVG service).
Next to read is probably Pacific Hawk by John Vader (one of the 1970's Purnell's/Ballantines soft cover series of History of the Second World War).
Cheers
Michael Heath
Adelaide, Australia
Last books read are:
Fortress Rabaul by Bruce Gamble - great read about the taking of Rabaul by the Japanese, buildup as a base by the latter and the battles in the area.
This lead me to read the following:
Whispering Death - Australian Airmen in the Pacific War by Mark Johnston - great read with interesting detail whilst covering the expanse of the Pacific War for Australian airmen pretty well.
Kokoda by Paul Ham - an intriguing and detailed account of this campaign, viewed by combatants of both sides.
Storm over Kokoda by Peter Ewer - another good book covering the aerial campaign in New Guinea, drawn mostly from the anecdotes of Australian and Japanese aircrew. Covers a smaller timeframe and area.
I'm becoming fascinated by 75 Squadron RAAF, particularly their time based at Port Moresby flying P-40E Kittyhawks against great odds.
I'm part way into Baa Baa Black Sheep by Greg Boyington - good so far (only up to his early AVG service).
Next to read is probably Pacific Hawk by John Vader (one of the 1970's Purnell's/Ballantines soft cover series of History of the Second World War).
Cheers
Michael Heath
Adelaide, Australia
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Black Shoe Carrier Admiral by John B. Lundstrom
Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal.
Very interesting in that the author spends a great deal of time defending ADM Fletcher and his decisions from his many detractors.
Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal.
Very interesting in that the author spends a great deal of time defending ADM Fletcher and his decisions from his many detractors.
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Finally started David Vincent's The RAAF Hudson Story - Book Two which will be an epic read. Only a few pages in so far and it's going to take a while to get through but very much looking forward to it! The photos are brilliant too.
http://www.vincentaviationpublications. ... books.html
http://www.vincentaviationpublications. ... books.html
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Japanese Merchant Ships at War: The Story of the Mitsui and O.S.K. Liners lost during the Pacific War, by Hisashi Noma. It's bilingual: both in kanji and English. It covers the Aikoku Maru and both her sister ships, and several other ships sunk in Truk Lagoon. Mr. Noma is still alive in Japan, and the book contains some fabulous photographs and paintings. This book is part of my research for the Truk biography I am writing about Kimiuo Aisek.
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
First of all, welcome to the forum.peregrine wrote:Just joined the forum.
I've had this book for a while, but have only just started it as I'm currently concentrating on losses in PNG during 1942. Quite a good read so far!peregrine wrote:Storm over Kokoda by Peter Ewer - another good book covering the aerial campaign in New Guinea, drawn mostly from the anecdotes of Australian and Japanese aircrew. Covers a smaller timeframe and area.
Cheers,
Daniel
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener. I want to get an idea of what life was like at Espiritu Santo when the ships were in port.
Tammi Johnson
Tammi Johnson
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Funnily enough, I'm reading a Bomber Command Pathfinder book at the moment but hope to start Black Cats in the near future.
BlazeVideo DVD Region Free can copy your DVD movies to hard drive for later viewing or backup at impressive speed.
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Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Reading Anthony Cooper's Kokoda Air Strikes at the moment. It is an overview of the Pacific air campaigns in 1942 and how they impacted the Japanese attempt to take Moresby. While concentrating on the RAAF and USAAF's operations, the USN is featured as well as its impact on Japanese shipping and carrier strength directly influenced how the enemy operated in and around New Guinea.
A good read and great overview of the year. Quite sobering to see the poor results from high altitude bombing (despite the claims) and the generally poor organisation and supply the Allies had to contend with early on. The Japanese were just as hamstrung and very stretched. Indeed, the continuing theme throughout the book is one of the Japanese letting off the pressure on, say, Moresby, as they had to throw their forces at something else (or recover from strafing raids which were certainly the most effective offensive ops flown by the land-based Allied aircraft).
I recommend buying this book from a bookstore if you can as it is a large paperback that is prone to getting damaged in the post if not packaged well enough.
A good read and great overview of the year. Quite sobering to see the poor results from high altitude bombing (despite the claims) and the generally poor organisation and supply the Allies had to contend with early on. The Japanese were just as hamstrung and very stretched. Indeed, the continuing theme throughout the book is one of the Japanese letting off the pressure on, say, Moresby, as they had to throw their forces at something else (or recover from strafing raids which were certainly the most effective offensive ops flown by the land-based Allied aircraft).
I recommend buying this book from a bookstore if you can as it is a large paperback that is prone to getting damaged in the post if not packaged well enough.
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
What is the exact title of the Black Cats book you mention? Many years ago I saw an ad for a book about the black cat planes of WWII. I did not record the title and have been unable to locate it since. One book I've been very tempted to buy is Squadron 13 and the Big Flying Boats by Mary Bracho.Andy in West Oz wrote:Just thought this'd be a good post to keep going.
Funnily enough, I'm reading a Bomber Command Pathfinder book at the moment but hope to start Black Cats in the near future.
Over to you guys...
Cap
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Flights of Passage: Reflections of a World War II Aviator. By Samuel Hynes. A compelling book with a lot of detail about training. Also, Black Sunday, by Michael Claringbould. It's the story of April 16, 1944 when 37 aircraft were lost to New Guinea weather, not enemy fire. One plane from the 500th Bomb Squadron, "Tinkie," with pilot James A Waggle, was lost near Madang, PNG. A fascinating book.
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
Cap asked,
"What is the exact title of the Black Cats book you mention? Many years ago I saw an ad for a book about the black cat planes of WWII. I did not record the title and have been unable to locate it since."
There are at least three books on US Navy Catalina Squadrons which include "Black Cat" in their titles.
Black Cat Raiders of WWII (1981) by Richard C. Knott
Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII's Fighting PBY's (1987 & 2002) by Mel Crocker
Bless 'em all: The Adventures of a Navy "Black Cat" Squadron in World War II (1986) by Lt. Robert W. Hayes
Edward
"What is the exact title of the Black Cats book you mention? Many years ago I saw an ad for a book about the black cat planes of WWII. I did not record the title and have been unable to locate it since."
There are at least three books on US Navy Catalina Squadrons which include "Black Cat" in their titles.
Black Cat Raiders of WWII (1981) by Richard C. Knott
Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII's Fighting PBY's (1987 & 2002) by Mel Crocker
Bless 'em all: The Adventures of a Navy "Black Cat" Squadron in World War II (1986) by Lt. Robert W. Hayes
Edward
Re: What Pacific based book are you reading at the moment?
I am reading "Woodbine Red leader".