{"product_id":"philippines-194142-by-mark-lardas-9781472870865","title":"Philippines 1941–42","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe weeks after Pearl Harbor saw Japan destroy the well-prepared US air forces in the Philippines.\u003c\/em\u003e Fully illustrated, this study explores the Pacific War’s little-known first major air campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn December 7, 1941, the Japanese not only attacked Pearl Harbor but also struck at US and allied bases throughout the Pacific, including the USA’s biggest overseas territory, the Philippines. However, that was an air battle the US was expecting. The USAAF had beefed up its assets in the Philippines, sending nearly a quarter of its available B-17s to the Far Eastern Air Force (FEAF). It could also call on the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAviation historian Mark Lardas explains how, despite these preparations, Japan’s air forces routed both the FEAF and the PAAC within a campaign that lasted barely a month. Japan gained air superiority, allowing Imperial Army troops undisturbed access to the Philippine coast. Within a week, Japan ruled the skies over Luzon. Two weeks later, it had air superiority over all the Philippines. After a month, its control was so complete that the Imperial Army felt confident to move its 5th Air Group back out of the Philippines. While desultory air combat would continue sporadically for the next three months, the issue was decided by 5 January 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePacked with original artwork, 3D diagrams, maps, and photos, this is the history of how the first air campaign of the Pacific War turned into a humiliating defeat for the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48318003216620,"sku":"9781472870865","price":38.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472870865-philippines-1941-42-1.jpg?v=1788751264","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/philippines-194142-by-mark-lardas-9781472870865","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}