This book is a follow up to Setting Suns published two years earlier.

Following the same format as the previous edition, this book includes even more photographs. Another brilliant photo study of Japanese aircraft captured throughout the Pacific war.

Like the title says, the book depicts captured or wrecked Japanese aircraft. Each page includes brief captions, and the photos are reproduced at superb quality, as either full page photographs, or half or quart page views. These large sized photos make the book an excellent reference. It covers equally Navy and Army aircraft.

Each section is divided with the Allied recognition card for each aircraft type: Zeke, Frank, Oscar and so forth. Geographically, photos span the entire Pacific war, including the Solomons, New Guinea, Philippines, Marianas, Okinawa and some selections from CBI. The photographs are excellent quality and resolution, scanned at National Archives and private collections.

This book includes more Japanese new photographs and other collections. The majority of photos will be "new" to any reader, or alternate views of known wrecks. Author Laemiein has discovered rare additional photos of known wrecks that I have never seen before, testament to his stills researching at the National Archives.

The last pages are devoted to Japanese decoy aircraft, 20mm cannon and anti-aircraft guns. This book is highly recommend for any reader's Pacific book collection.

Review by Justin Taylan  

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Last Updated
September 21, 2023