Hale's Handful . . . Up from the Ashes

Major Ellis analyzes the evolution of Seventh Air Force's joint command and control relationships as well as the development of joint operational procedures and doctrine in the Central Pacific during World War II. In approaching this subject, he proceeds chronologically, outlining the major campaigns of the drive through the Central Pacific. Within the campaigns, Major Ellis addresses joint planning, preparation and support issues, bombing and strike challenges, and developments in close air support of the amphibious operations. He focuses especially on joint leadership interactions-was it all about personalities? He argues that despite Navy dominance of the Central Pacific, this theater represents the only theater in which the Navy, the Army, the Army Air Corps, and the Marines all played major, vital roles in the combat that won the island-hopping campaign in World War II. Major Ellis shows how the challenges and lessons of the Seventh Air Force in World War II are clearly applicable to contemporary airmen.