Operation Ro-Go 1943: Japanese air power tackles the Bougainville landings

During World War II, Imperial Japan's Operation Ro-Go was intended to take the offensive in the Solomons theater, but it became Japan's first line of defense against the Allies. Rabaul raids and Bougainville landings turned the operation into a defensive battle, with 173 Japanese aircraft sent to Rabaul. This book uses rare Japanese primary source material to explain how the Japanese planned and fought the campaign, correcting enduring myths and providing previously unpublished photos, illustrations, 3D recreations, maps, and explanatory diagrams.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A captivating narrative unfolds, detailing the tragic demise of Imperial Japan's Operation Ro-Go, an offensive operation aimed at seizing the initiative in the Solomon Islands theater of World War II. However, this operation would ultimately serve as Japan's first line of defense against the relentless Allied raids on Rabaul and the subsequent landings on Bougainville. By the midpoint of the Pacific conflict, Japan found itself entrenched in a defensive posture. In late 1943, after a year of intense aerial warfare around Rabaul and the Solomons, a significant contingent of 173 Japanese aircraft was dispatched to Rabaul. The primary objective of this deployment was to participate in Ro-Go Sakusen, also known as Operation Ro, Ro-Go, or B, with the aim of striking Allied air power and shipping in the Solomons, impeding the American advance, and disrupting Allied supply chains. However, the course of events took an unexpected turn. Instead of engaging Allied forces head-on, Operation Ro-Go found itself entangled in a defensive battle, first defending Rabaul against relentless Allied air raids, and then mounting a fierce counterattack to challenge the Allied landings on Bougainville. In a remarkable twist of fate, Operation Ro-Go underwent a complete reversal, transforming into a defensive struggle for the Japanese. In this groundbreaking book, Michael John Claringbould delves into the intricate details of Operation Ro-Go, utilizing rare Japanese primary source material to unravel the intricacies of the campaign. He challenges prevailing myths often perpetuated by books that rely solely on Western sources, providing a comprehensive and accurate account of the Japanese planning and execution. The narrative unfolds as Claringbould traces the immense pressures exerted on the operations units stationed at Rabaul as they faced relentless bombings by Fifth Air Force bombers and later US Navy carrier aircraft. The author vividly describes the harrowing experiences of the Japanese soldiers, showcasing their resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity. The strategic upset of the Bougainville landings is a pivotal moment in the book, highlighting the extent to which Operation Ro-Go's failure had profound consequences for Japan's Pacific campaign. Claringbould's study is meticulously researched, enriched with previously unpublished photos, breathtaking original illustrations, 3D recreations of specific missions, maps, and explanatory diagrams. This comprehensive work not only sheds light on the untold story of Operation Ro-Go but also offers a rich visual experience, immersing readers in the historical context of this pivotal period of World War II. In conclusion, Operation Ro-Go stands as a testament to the complexities and challenges of warfare, where unforeseen circumstances can transform a planned offensive into a defensive struggle. Through the lens of Claringbould's meticulous research and captivating storytelling, this book provides a profound understanding of the events that shaped Japan's Pacific campaign and the enduring legacy of Operation Ro-Go in the annals of military history.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 184 x 248 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472855572