WINNER OF THE MILITARY WRITERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA SILVER MEDAL AWARD!"Enough gripping drama, heroism, and heartbreak in McGee's almost encyclopedic THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS to supply Hollywood with material for a century."
- Marine Corps League Magazine
Volume II in the Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII series by William L. McGee.
After the decisive Battle of Midway in June 1942, the war in the Pacific reached a critical juncture. Just two months later, on August 7, 1942, U.S. forces launched a relentless offensive in the Solomon Islands, leading to more than a year of brutal combat. By the time the campaign ended in November 1943, the tide of the Pacific War had decisively turned in favor of the Allies.
Under one cover, award-winning military historian William L. McGee delivers a definitive account of the Solomons Campaigns, covering all three phases of the hard-fought battles across land, sea, and air.
Inside this Definitive Volume
Part I, The Southern Solomons covers the bloody six-month struggle for Guadalcanal. The relationship between ground fighting, naval warfare and air combat is described in considerable detail as first one side and then the other gains the advantage. Seven major naval engagements are recounted including America's severe defeat at Savo Island and decisive victory in the three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal--another notable turning point.
Part II, The Central Solomons chronicles the amphibious operations in the New Georgia Islands group including the five separate landings at Rendova, Segi Point, Viru Harbor, Wickham Anchorage, and Rice Anchorage, plus three more significant naval battles and the occupation of Vella Lavella.
Part III, The Northern Solomons recounts the seizure of the Treasuries, the Choiseul Diversion and the Bougainville campaign, plus two more significant naval battles.
Lessons Learned - Finally, the many valuable lessons learned during the Solomons Campaigns are summarized--ranging from logistic support and force requirements to offshore toeholds and leapfrogging. Most became doctrine in later Pacific campaigns.
"William L. McGee has written the second of a three-volume set that will form a definitive account of naval, sea, and land operations in the South Pacific, where America's response to Pearl Harbor began….a thoroughgoing historical record and analysis that historians and scholars will find invaluable."
- Library Journal
Book Details
688 pages
310 B&W photographs, 44 maps
Charts, notes, appendices, bibliography, & index
Paperback
Other Titles in the Series
Vol. I, THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING! Emergence of the 'Gator Navy and its Revolutionary Landing Craft
Vol. III, PACIFIC EXPRESS: The Critical Role of Military Logistics in World War II
Follow the author's blog at www.WilliamMcGeeBooks.com
"A masterpiece...The indexes and appendices are the book's crown jewels. Future authors will benefit from McGee's efforts." -- Leatherneck, Magazine of the Marines
"A thoroughgoing historical record and analysis that historians and scholars will find invaluable." -- Library Journal
"As a Marine who landed on Guadalcanal, this book tells what really went on in the South Pacific." -- W.J. Carroll, President, Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans
"Enough dynamic action, derring-do, brutal horror and conflict to keep one on the edge of his chair for days." -- Sea Classics Magazine
"Enough gripping drama, heroism, and heartbreak in McGee's almost encyclopedic SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS to supply Hollywood with material for a century." -- Marine Corps League
