Military Model Scene

Title: World War II US Fast Carrier Task Force Tactics 1943-45

Author: Brian Lane Herder

Publisher: Osprey

ISBN: 978-1-4728-3656-4

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Number 232 in the Elite series from Osprey Publishing, examining the tactics of the US Navy Fast Carrier Task Forces in the Pacific during WW2. A 64-page soft-cover book, this describes the formation and tactics of a naval organisation that was born within the war against Japan, following the attack on Pearl Harbour which brought America into the war in the first place.
The book is divided into 7 main sections following the Introduction. These are Composition: Organisation: Air Group Equipment & Organisation: Operations & Tactics: Surface Combat: Air Combat: and rounded off with a Conclusion. Most of these are split into sub-sections, each one providing excellent detail on how not only did the equipment develop during the war, but so did the tactics they used. These in turn are supported by some really clear artwork/diagrams which help enormously with the explanations. There are of course plenty of archive images included to help illustrate the whole story.
At the outbreak of war the largest capital ships of the time, the Battleship, was considered to be the most significant weapon of the fleet. That had changed by the end of the war as they were used to support the range of the air power carried on the carriers. The new, more capable aircraft that were brought into service, and the industrial power of the USA were all brought to bear. The Tactics they used all had to be developed through experience, tactics which were mastered and ultimately successful. Another really useful addition to this series.

 

Thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review copy.

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Robin