Duel USN Carriers vs IJN Carriers - The Pacific 1942 Osprey Books

The Imperial Japanese Navy was a pioneer in naval aviation having commissioned the world's first carrier; and the effectiveness of this new lethal weapon was infamously demonstrated early in the war when dozens of Japanese fighters and bombers launched from aircraft carriers decimated the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. The Americans followed their adversary's lead initiating huge aircraft carrier development programs. As the Pacific war escalated into the largest naval conflict in history the role of the carrier, the most revolutionary and formidable of all naval weapons, became the linchpin of American and Japanese naval strategy. Finally in 1942, across the huge expanses of the Pacific, these rival carriers found themselves locked in a death struggle as they duelled for dominance of this critical theatre of war. This book will provide an analysis of the variety of weaponry available to the rival carriers, including the powerful shipborne guns and embarked aircraft. Study the design and development of these revolutionary ships and discover the pioneering tactics that were used to ensure victory. Exploring the four major carrier clashes of Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz, this book dramatically reveals the experiences of the airmen and guncrews of the rival vessels as they battled for victory in a duel of skill, tenacity and guts.