The Solomons Campaigns 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville Pacific War Turning Point

About this book

WINNER OF THE MILITARY WRITERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA SILVER MEDAL AWARD! "Enough gripping drama heroism and heartbreak in McGees almost encyclopedic THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS to supply Hollywood with material for a century." - Marine Corps League Magazine Volume II in the Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII series by William L. McGee. After the decisive Battle of Midway in June 1942 the war in the Pacific reached a critical juncture. Just two months later on August 7 1942 U.S. forces launched a relentless offensive in the Solomon Islands leading to more than a year of brutal combat. By the time the campaign ended in November 1943 the tide of the Pacific War had decisively turned in favor of the Allies. Under one cover award-winning military historian William L. McGee delivers a definitive account of the Solomons Campaigns covering all three phases of the hard-fought battles across land sea and air. Inside this Definitive Volume Part I The Southern Solomons covers the bloody six-month struggle for Guadalcanal. The relationship between ground fighting naval warfare and air combat is described in considerable detail as first one side and then the other gains the advantage. Seven major naval engagements are recounted including Americas severe defeat at Savo Island and decisive victory in the three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal--another notable turning point. Part II The Central Solomons chronicles the amphibious operations in the New Georgia Islands group including the five separate landings at Rendova Segi Point Viru Harbor Wickham Anchorage and Rice Anchorage plus three more significant naval battles and the occupation of Vella Lavella. Part III The Northern Solomons recounts the seizure of the Treasuries the Choiseul Diversion and the Bougainville campaign plus two more significant naval battles. Lessons Learned - Finally the many valuable lessons learned during the Solomons Campaigns are summarized--ranging from logistic support and force requirements to offshore toeholds and leapfrogging. Most became doctrine in later Pacific campaigns. "William L. McGee has written the second of a three-volume set that will form a definitive account of naval sea and land operations in the South Pacific where Americas response to Pearl Harbor began.a thoroughgoing historical record and analysis that historians and scholars will find invaluable." - Library Journal Book Details 688 pages 310 B&W photographs 44 maps Charts notes appendices bibliography & index Paperback Other Titles in the Series Vol. I THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING! Emergence of the Gator Navy and its Revolutionary Landing Craft Vol. III PACIFIC EXPRESS: The Critical Role of Military Logistics in World War II Follow the authors blog at www.WilliamMcGeeBooks.com