Fortress Rabaul The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942–April 1943 / Volume 2

"This tour de force . . . is an absolute must for anyone interested in the true story of one of World War II's most interesting—and most overlooked—battles." —Col. Walter Boyne, USAF (Ret.), author of Clash of Wings For most of World War II, the mention of Japan's island stronghold sent shudders through thousands of Allied airmen. Some called it "Fortress Rabaul," an apt name for the headquarters of the Imperial Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific. Author Bruce Gamble chronicles Rabaul's crucial role in Japanese operations in the Southwest Pacific. Millions of square feet of housing and storage facilities supported a hundred thousand soldiers and naval personnel. Simpson Harbor and the airfields were the focus of hundreds of missions by American air forces. Winner of the "Gold Medal" (Military Writers Society of America) and "Editor's Choice Award" (Stone and Stone Second World War Books), Fortress Rabaul details a critical and, until now, little understood chapter in the history of World War II. "Not for the first time, Bruce Gamble has done amazing work gathering a dazzling array of tiny, little facts, then arranging them in a big, dazzling story that amazes one's inner historian even as it breaks one's heart on its way to a triumphal conclusion." —Eric Hammel, author of Two Flags over Iwo Jima "Drawing on a variety of sources from both sides, the author has written a detailed reference book that reads like a novel." — Air Classics " Fortress Rabaul opens a broader vista on this under-studied campaign with its wide research, thoughtful analysis, and gifted story-teller's panache." — WWII History Magazine

As O'Hare closed rapidly from the right side of the enemy formation, some of the Japanese gunners opened fire....Ignoring the tracers, O'Hare took aim at the rearmost Mitsubishi and triggered a short burst.... The bomber piloted by FPO 2nd Class Ryosuke Kogiku careened out of formation, its starboard engine trailing smoke. O'Hare lined up his sights on the next aircraft and got the same result. Ribbons of vaporized gasoline streamed from the perforated wing of FPO 1st Class Koji Maeda's bomber, which also veered out of formation....

O'Hare let his fighter's momentum carry him under the formation... and then climbed back into firing position behind the last bomber on the left side of the formation.... [H]e squeezed the trigger, and again his aim was true. The bomber shuddered under the impact of the heavy bullets and quickly fell behind, its right engine damaged and the left wing tank punctured. O'Hare then fired a burst at the next bomber in line, which caught fire as he closed to nearly point-blank range. With just two brief firing runs, he had carved half of the bombers out of formation.

Volcanoes, God, and coconuts 24 Squadron Gladiators Desperate hours The fall of Rabaul Counterattack Stronghold Task force Medal of Honor : Edward "Butch" O'Hare Carmichael's raid Yanks down under The last outpost New Guinea interlude Wild eagles MO : the offensive blunted Guests of the Emperor Fading glory MacArthur's new airman Medal of Honor : Harl Pease, Jr. The personification of evil Momentum New identities Heavy bomber blues Medal of Honor : Kenneth N. Walker Blood in the water Operation I-Go : Yamamoto's last offensive Death of a warrior god Epilogue. "Chronicles the dramatic events that contributed to Rabaul's increasing notoriety, detailing the island's transformation into the ultimate twentieth-century fortification ... Drawing upon an extensive array of Japanese and Allied sources, Gamble fills in the historical background behind Rabaul's crucial role during the first year and a half of the Pacific war, from the Japanese invasion through the shooting down of Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto on April 18, 1943, a turning point in Japan's offensive operations"--Jacket