The Early Air War in the Pacific - by Ralph F Wetterhahn (Paperback)

About the Book

"During the first 10 months of the war in the Pacific, Japan achieved air supremacy with its carrier and land-based forces. After major setbacks at Midway and at Guadalcanal, the empire's expansion stalled, in part due to flaws in aircraft design, strategy and command. This book offers a fresh analysis of the air war in the Pacific during the early phases of World War II. Details are included from two expeditions conducted by the author, revealing the location of an American pilot missing in the Philippines since 1942, and clearing up a controversial account involving famed Japanese ace Saburo Sakai and U.S. Navy pilot James "Pug" Southerland."-Provided by publisher."--

Book Synopsis

 During the first 10 months of the war in the Pacific, Japan achieved air supremacy with its carrier and land-based forces. But after major setbacks at Midway and Guadalcanal, the empire's expansion stalled, in part due to flaws in aircraft design, strategy and command.

This book offers a fresh analysis of the air war in the Pacific during the early phases of World War II. Details are included from two expeditions conducted by the author that reveal the location of an American pilot missing in the Philippines since 1942 and clear up a controversial account involving famed Japanese ace Saburo Sakai and U.S. Navy pilot James "Pug" Southerland.

Review Quotes

"A strength of The Early Air War in the Pacific is Wetterhahn's experience as a combat fighter pilot, from which he draws to give the reader the feel of aerial combat. Wetterhahn's research is extensive... highly recommended"-Military Review

About the Author

Ralph F. Wetterhahn is a former Air Force and Navy fighter pilot who served three tours during the Vietnam War. He now travels the globe as as an aviation archaeologist in search of missing aircraft/crews and the stories they reveal. He lives in Long Beach, California and writes for Air & Space/Smithsonian.