This volume conveys detailed stories of aerial warfare in the South
Pacific, chosen because both Japanese and Allied records can be matched
for an accurate accounting. Often the actual outcomes are very different
to the exaggerated claims made by both sides upon which many traditional
histories have relied to date. Further, for each of the chosen stories
photographic or other evidence enables an accurate depiction of the
aircraft involved.
Through these chosen snapshots Pacific Adversaries portrays the South
Pacific conflict as accurately as possible. This first volume describes
confrontations between the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) and the Allies
in New Guinea and the Solomons.
JAAF units first arrived in the South Pacific in December 1942 and
effectively ceased operations in mainland New Guinea in April 1944.
Theirs is a rich and colorful history about which many myths persist.
Perhaps the biggest is that their Allied counterparts thought they were
mainly fighting "Zeros", a falsehood still published and accepted to
this day.
In New Guinea the Allies ratcheted up a grueling, coordinated and
unrelenting campaign, destroying most JAAF air power on the ground, not
in the air. Their assault against Wewak's key bases involved an
interwoven and complex strategy which eventually overpowered the
Japanese.
Never before have detailed accounts matched up adversaries so closely
and in doing so shine light on key events in Pacific skies so many years
ago.
