Pacific Adversaries Volume Three

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This volume conveys detailed stories of aerial warfare in the South Pacific, with a focus on matching Japanese and Allied records for accurate accounting. The actual outcomes often differ significantly from the exaggerated claims made by both sides, which have influenced traditional histories. Each selected story is supported by photographic or other evidence, allowing for an accurate depiction of the aircraft involved. The narrative centers on confrontations with the Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) in New Guinea and the Solomons, referred to as the "South Seas" by the Japanese. The JNAF emerged in the South Pacific in December 1941, leading offensive efforts throughout 1942. Following the intense Guadalcanal campaign, the JNAF transitioned to a largely defensive posture in New Guinea and the Solomons against increasingly powerful Allied forces. Surprisingly, the JNAF continued to resist Allied advances until late 1943, maintaining air superiority near its key base of Rabaul. It was only in 1944, with the withdrawal of units to the Central Pacific and the Philippines, that the JNAF presence in the South Pacific diminished to a token force. This volume offers unprecedented detailed accounts that closely match adversaries, illuminating key events in the Pacific skies from years past.