Full Description
New Guinea Eagles Volume 1 chronicles the
Japanese Air Army campaign in New Guinea from when its first units arrived in October
1942 until the late September 1943 raids against Nadzab and Port Moresby.
Never before
have the rationale, activities and losses of JAAF air power in New Guinea been
chronicled in such detail and accuracy. The force operated an impressive range
of aircraft types but found it much easier to commit than withdraw from the
challenging theatre.
This volume covers Rabaul's and Wewak's beginnings as
major JAAF bases. The period involved guarding supply convoys, attacking Wau
and two major forays into the Solomons. Then by mid-1943 the Allied air war had
gravitated towards the burgeoning JAAF airfield complexes spreading out along New
Guinea's northern coast. Two air divisions were combined to create the 4th
Air Army in August 1943, and its aircraft soon ventured into the New Guinea Highlands
before defending Nassau Bay, Lae and Salamaua.
A wide
variety of fighter, attack,
bomber and reconnaissance aircraft types operated with numerous air regiments, independent
squadrons and headquarters detachments. Citing primary records, combats are
aligned, strategies revealed and accurate losses chronicled. The problematic
introduction of the Ki-61 Tony, widespread use of the Ki-51 Sonia and
the struggles of the Ki-49 Helen are described in detail. Bolstered by maps, illustrations,
aircraft profiles and rare photos, New Guinea Eagles Volume 1 offers a
fresh and ground-breaking perspective of the JAAF experience.
Contents
Author & Illustrator
Glossary & Abbreviations
Map
Introduction
Technical Notes
Chapter 1 Origins
Chapter 2 Wewak Beginnings
Chapter 3 First Combat
Chapter 4 The American Commander
Chapter 5 Operation 18: the First Lae Convoy
Chapter 6 Guadalcanal
Chapter 7 Wau
Chapter 8 Operation 81 - Second Lae Convoy
Chapter 9 The Problematic Fighter
Chapter 10 Wewak the Main Game
Chapter 11 Outliers
Chapter 12 Highlands Campaign "Axes of Old"
Chapter 13 Nassau Bay
Chapter 14 Return to the Solomons
Chapter 15 The 4th Air Army
Chapter 16 Costly Fuaba
Chapter 17 Guns of August
Chapter 18 Wewak Harbour
Chapter 19 Conclusions
Appendix 1 Unit Deployment Timelines
Appendix 2 Aircraft Profiles
Sources
Index of Names, Military Units and Ships
