The early days of the Pacific war are covered only sporadically. Much of the first six months of the conflict was one of overwhelming Japanese victory and the general rout of Allied forces. Probably one of the least known parts of the conflict were the air operations of Singapore and the Dutch East Indies. The author lived through these times and the rest of the war in a Japanese prison camp, so has the sort of insight that other, more detached historians will not possess.

I should start out to say that the title is a tad misleading. Yes there were air battles against the Japanese type 0 Navy fighter, and those events are fully covered in this volume. But it is much more than a few aerial engagements. Indeed, most of the book covers the actions of the various Allied military during these days and concentrates on the actions of the men of RAF; both in action against the enemy and how many of them managed to find their way out ahead of the Japanese.

No other book shows how much the 'fog of war' and the panic of people can make things seem a lot worse than they really were. Both the Allies and the Japanese found themselves in less than desirable positions once ashore. Though the Japanese forces were small and scattered, the Allies were even more in a panic and it was their fear of the unknown that allowed the Japanese to succeed where they otherwise might have easily failed. Instead of making a concentrated stand, the Allies frittered away assets piece-meal, running away and destroying weapons and ammunition rather than use them against the invading Japanese.

None of this was helped by the general panic of the civilian population.

It is a book that will certainly open your eyes to the events of early 1942. A book full of dozens of tales of bravery, fortune, and failure. I have to say that I found it quite engrossing and one that I know you will as well. It is a superlative read that you should not pass up.

May 2008

Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishing, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb books.

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