Pacific Carrier War : Carrier Combat from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa (Hardcover)

(Subject to confirmation) Chapter 1: Before the War The chapter describes how both the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and United States Navy (USN) planned to use their carrier forces and what the capabilities of each were. Chapter 2: The Storm Breaks When the war broke out, it started with the IJN demonstrating at Pearl Harbor that previous notions of carrier warfare were incorrect. Both sides had to adjust their strategies to reflect this new reality. Chapter 3: Early Raids and Operations The IJN carrier force (the Kido Butai) proceeded to rampage through the Pacific and Indian Oceans from December 1941 until April 1942. Japanese aircraft, training and doctrine appeared unbeatable. Meanwhile, the USN placed its carriers at the center of the fleet and conducted a series of small raids to prove its new concept of operations. Chapter 4: Men, Machines and Airplanes This is a nuts-and-bolts chapter which details and compares each side's carriers and aircraft. An examination of other factors like aircrew training, operational doctrine and the use of radar will also be included. Important personalities on both sides will be analyzed. Chapter 5: The First Carrier Clash Details the battle of Coral Sea - what happened, and why. Places battle in context of May 1942 and into context for events in the next carrier clash. Chapter 6: Midway - The Preliminaries The IJN was preparing for a decisive battle against the USN's Pacific Fleet. The outnumbered Americans took the bait. The chapter explains the build-up to Midway. Chapter 7: Midway - The Battle This chapter outlines the events in the most celebrated carrier battle ever - the Battle of Midway. Chapter 8: Midway - What Happened? Midway saw the invincible Kido Butai smashed. How did this happen and why? The myths of Midway will be addressed here. Chapter 9: New Challenge at Guadalcanal Discusses why events turned to the South Pacific and takes stock of the men, ships, aircraft and doctrine used by each side in the war's first two carrier clashes Chapter 10: False Start at Eastern Solomons The 3rd carrier battle of the war was a very tentative affair. This chapter discusses why and outlines the role of each side's carrier forces between Aug-Sept during the Guadalcanal campaign Chapter 11: Kido Butai Resurgent The chapter discusses the only Japanese carrier battle victory of the war. What happened and why at the Battle of Santa Cruz in October 1942? What was its impact on the campaign? Chapter 12: Interlude in 1943 What were both carrier forces up to in 1943? Why were there no carrier actions? Chapter 13: Preparing for the Ultimate Carrier Battle This chapter examines the state of the both carrier forces in 1944 as they prepare for a showdown in mid-1944. The types of ships and aircraft had greatly changed from 1942, as had the state of air crew training and the doctrine of both sides. The chapter is essential to understanding the outcome of the Battle of Philippine Sea. Chapter 14: The Carriers Clash In June 1944, 14 USN carriers met 9 IJN carriers in the largest carrier battle ever. The result was a resounding defeat for the Japanese. Was this outcome inevitable and what did it means for the remainder of the war? Chapter 15: The Last Year While the IJN's carriers were ineffective due to lack of fuel and trained pilots, the USN's carriers led the final assault on Japan. Even against the unforeseen and deadly kamikaze menace, American carriers proved they were the ultimate war-winning weapon.