Launching Osprey's new Fleet series, this is a spectacularly
illustrated, concise and comprehensive account of the Imperial Japanese
Navy's striking force at the height of its power.
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) entered the Pacific War as one of the
most formidable navies in the world, and its combat power was
concentrated into one force, the Combined Fleet. In the months that
followed Pearl Harbor it enjoyed an unrivaled string of victories,
shattering American, British, Australian, and Dutch naval forces. This
period of expansion and constant victories ended at the Battle of
Midway, after which the Combined Fleet was forced onto the defensive.
In this book, Mark Stille draws on his decades of IJN research to
explain what made the Combined Fleet the fighting force that it was.
Packed with superb original artwork, explanatory 3D diagrams and maps,
it examines the fleet's doctrine, innovative tactics and powerful
warships. It also details the qualities and importance of IJN
leadership, logistics, naval infrastructure, and Japan's shipbuilding
capability, and gives an account and analysis of the IJN's combat
performance during these crucial months - not just in the famous carrier
battles, but also exploring lesser-known elements such as IJN amphibious
forces and land-based aviation.