Though there have been a couple of other books in Mushroom Model Publications' "White Series" this is the first that was planned and it is very much well worth the wait. Information on Japanese subjects is difficult to come by in the West, especially as much official documentation was destroyed by the Japanese at the end of the war. This makes research particularly difficult and often times, it is what was kept by individuals that has allowed any meaningful material to come forth after all these decades.

One area of warfare that was perfectly logical to the Japanese at that time was one of self-sacrifice for the greater good. It is one that is not a standard Western way of doing things and one that caused a considerable amount of anxiety and fear when on the receiving end of this sort of warfare. During WWII in the Pacific, the Kamikaze or Divine WInd attacks on mostly American ships and aircraft during the last year of the war very much had an effect on US plans.

Though other books have covered a portion of the subject, Mushroom Model Publications looks not only at the attacks themselves, but the equipment used in these attacks as well as Japan's attempts at producing aerial bombs.

Within its 264 pages are a look at the various attacks carried out by both the Army and the Navy against US targets. This section is complete with tables showing the various missions and their eventual effect. The next section is on standard aircraft modified for the mission as well as those either specially built or under development for the role. Again, it is divided into Army and Navy aircraft. This was quite an eye-opener for me as it dealt with aircraft and sub-types of which I was not aware before. The same goes for the section on flying bombs. For the first time I can recall, here is a run down of those weapons under development or used by the Japanese during WWII. Few of these were actually used in combat, and those that were did not have the sort of affect that the Japanese would have hoped to have seen. Nonetheless, it is all here in one place for the first time. No MMP book would be complete without the usual superb three view illustrations and full color profiles we have all come to expect.

Overall, it is a most complete look at the subject and is a totally engrossing read. It has my vote as one of the top books of 2009 and I'm sure you will feel the same way about it once you get it in your hands and start reading.  

June 2009

Review book courtesy of Mushroom Models Publications where you can order your copy. Australian readers can get theirs from Platypus Publications, and US reader from MMD.

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