A succinct but detailed illustrated explanation of the techniques by
which the ships and aircraft of the US Fast Carrier Task Forces achieved
their victories over the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Drawing on difficult-to-access wartime documents and other contemporary
sources, this is the first compact, illustrated study of the tactics and
techniques of the US fast carriers of Task Forces 50, 58 and 38 during
the naval war against Japan in 1943--45.
This title concentrates on exactly how these highly successful forces
actually operated: their composition in ships, aircraft, and men; the
essential technology at their disposal; the evolving doctrine for their
employment; the opposition and dangers they faced; and how they overcame
them at the tactical level. It explains in straightforward terms the
intricate details of topics such as how ships maneuvered, how aircraft
were deployed and recovered, the formations and approaches used by
fighters, dive-bombers, and torpedo-bombers against naval and land
targets, and how Task Forces defended themselves. The text is supported
by a wide range of wartime photos and full-color illustrations, showing,
for example, the formations employed by ships and aircraft, with
altitudes and ranges throughout the course of attacks.