Central Pacific 1943–45

Brian Lane Herder graduated with a BA in History from the University of Kansas in 2003, and a Masters of Library Science from Emporia State University in 2009. He is a legislative librarian for the Kansas state government and his historical research interests include the US military, naval warfare, and World War II. His books for Osprey include Operation Torch 1942 and The Naval Siege of Japan 1945.Gareth Hector is an internationally acclaimed aviation artist.

• CONTENTSINTRODUCTION–Prelude: 1941–42CHRONOLOGYATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES–Commands–Airfields–Meteorology–Long range heavy bombers–Day fighters–Very Long Range (VLR) fighters–Light and medium bombers–Defending Seventh Air Force airbases–Night fighters–Carrier airpower–Search and Rescue (SAR)DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES–Commands–Japanese island defenses–Fighter defenses–Counter-attacking air assets–Defense of the Home Islands 1945–IJN anti-aircraft artilleryCAMPAIGN OBJECTIVESTHE CAMPAIGN–Prelude: January–August 1943–Gilbert Islands operation, November–December 1943–The Marshall Islands Operation, January–March 1944–Neutralizing the Caroline Islands, March 1944–August 1944–The Mariana Islands Operation, June–August 1944–Philippine Sea diversions, August 1944–January 1945–The Iwo Jima operation, February–March 1945–The Ryukyus operation, April–June 1945–The first Empire missions, April–June 1945–Endgame over the Empire, July–August 1945AFTERMATH AND ANALYSISSELECT BIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX

In Central Pacific 1943-45, Brian Lane Herder has provided a well-written, highly detailed yetreadable account of the Seven Air Force’s contribution to the Central Pacific campaign, whichwill certainly appeal to those with an interest in the Pacific War or airpower.