Solomons Air War Volume 2: Guadalcanal & Santa Cruz October 1942

During October 1942, the Solomon Islands theater saw a significant increase in aerial warfare, with Tokyo Express runs landing thousands of IJA troops on Guadalcanal. Cactus Air Force was on the brink of exhaustion, but enough replacement F4Fs and SBDs were scraped together to keep it in business. An IJN force arrived in the theater, but the timely arrival of the USS Enterprise evened the ledger, leading to the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific War, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Avonmore Books

The Solomon Islands theater witnessed a pivotal phase of aerial warfare during the critical month of October 1942, as documented in this second volume of Solomons Air War. This captivating chronicle can be enjoyed as a standalone narrative or as part of the ongoing Solomons Air War series.

The month commenced with a flurry of air activity, as Tokyo Express runs successfully landed thousands of Japanese Army (IJA) troops on Guadalcanal, setting the stage for a new offensive aimed at defeating the Marine garrison. This offensive was preceded by a battleship bombardment of Henderson Field and daily air raids against the same target.

Amidst this intense aerial warfare, Cactus Air Force found itself on the brink of exhaustion. However, through a remarkable feat of resourcefulness, just enough replacement F4Fs and SBDs were gathered from the New Hebrides to keep the unit operational. Crucial support was provided by COMAIRSOPAC B-17s and PBYs operating from Espiritu Santo.

In the middle of October, a formidable IJN force, consisting of five aircraft carriers, arrived in the theater, posing a significant threat to the US Navy, which, at the time, had only one carrier in the South Pacific, the USS Hornet. However, the timely arrival of the USS Enterprise evened the odds, leading to the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific War, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, which took place from October 25 to 27.

This chronicle has been meticulously crafted using a combination of Allied and Japanese sources, ensuring a fresh, factual, and highly detailed account of all aspects of the Solomons air campaign. The reader will delve into the strategic maneuvers, tactical battles, and technological advancements that shaped the course of this pivotal conflict, providing a comprehensive understanding of the air war in the Solomon Islands.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 177 x 250 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780645700459