Pacific Adversaries Volume 2

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This volume presents detailed accounts of aerial warfare in the South Pacific, utilizing matched records from both Japanese and Allied forces for an accurate portrayal. The actual outcomes of battles often contrast sharply with the exaggerated claims made by both sides, which have influenced traditional histories. Each selected story is supported by photographic evidence, allowing for a precise depiction of the aircraft involved. The focus is on confrontations with the Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) in New Guinea and the Solomons, regions referred to by the Japanese as the "South Seas." The JNAF emerged in the South Pacific in December 1941, leading offensive operations throughout 1942. After the intense Guadalcanal campaign, the JNAF shifted to a defensive stance against increasingly powerful Allied forces in New Guinea and the Solomons. Surprisingly, until the end of 1943, the JNAF maintained significant resistance and never relinquished air superiority near its crucial base in Rabaul. It wasn't until 1944, when units were redeployed to the Central Pacific and the Philippines, that the JNAF's presence in the South Pacific diminished to a mere token force. This volume uniquely aligns adversarial accounts, illuminating pivotal events in the Pacific theater.