I'll preface this by saying that I'm not sure why this 2009 book came in with the new titles, but I have to assume it was reprinted by demand. For most of us, thinking of Spitfires does not bring to mind battles against A6Ms and Ki-43s. However, the Spitfire saw considerable action against the Japanese once WWII in the Pacific got underway. Though not in theater in 1941 or even most of 1942, buy the time 1943 dawned, the Australians had Spitfires in Northern Australia to protect Darwin and other important areas. Withdrawn from European operations in early 1942, these units were hurried to Australia as soon as was practical, along with their aircraft. From there, they augmented those units on the front lines, eventually trading in their Spitfire Vs for Mk VIII versions when it became practical and continuing the fight into Borneo during the end months of the war.

For the British, the situation was no less desperate. Fighting in Burma had brought the Japanese into the doorstep of India. Against what seemed to be a juggernaut, the RAF had little more than Hurricanes, Buffaloes and Mohawks, planes that were good, but not as good or maneuverable as those flown by the Japanese. Fortunately, Burma is a theater of operations that has a period of many months where offensive operations cease, thanks to the monsoon season. By mid-1943, the RAF units were also receiving Spitfires and with the operations by the US in this area as well, were able to go on the offensive.

As one might imagine, there were few pure Spitfire vs Japanese aces in theater. In fact, only seven men, with W/C Clive Cauldwell leading the list with seven confirmed Japanese kills. Many other men became aces in other theaters and had Japanese planes to their total, while many more were successful at knocking down a few Japanese planes. The stories of many of these men is told in this latest Osprey title on the fighting that went on in the Pacific and Burma. Not surprisingly, it is about half and half with RAF and RAAF pilots. The stories are superb and truly put a feel to combat in this somewhat lesser theater of war. After all, the Allies had decided to get rid of Hitler first, the Japanese second and out of the second choice, Burma and the area north of Australia was even farther down the line for men and equipment. Yet the work these men did as vital to the overall war effort and was successful in staving off the Japanese and eventually pushing them out.

In addition to the usual superb collection of period photos, there are several pages of color profiles of the aircraft discussed in the book. The appendices include a full listing of men who were successful against the Japanese while flying the Spitfire as well as their tallies. In all, it is a book that should find a lot of interest with Spitfire fans in particular and those whose interest is in this theater of war in general. A great read that I know you will enjoy.

April 2013

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