Military Model Scene

Title: Japanese Infantryman versus US Marine Rifleman
Author: Gregg Adams
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5791-0

Combat 75 from Osprey Publishing, 'Tarawa, Roi-Namur and Eniwetok 1943-44'. An 80-page soft-cover book, and with the excellent artwork done by Johnny Shumate.
After the Introduction which sets the scene for the rest of the book, it begins with comparing the opposite sides, their Doctrine & Tactics, along with their recruitment & Force Structures. I was particularly taken by the thought of 'doing things by the book', and the Landing Operations Doctrine, or Fleet Training Publication FTP-167. Equally the Japanese ideas for island defence are just as interesting, though clearly there were lessons still to be learnt by both sides. The bulk of the book is then taken up by background and detailed accounts of the invasions of Betio Island, on Tarawa Atoll in November 1943, Namur Island on Kwajalein Atoll on February 1/2 1944 and then Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll on 18 February 1944. Each of these include appropriate maps and artwork. It is all rounded off with an Analysis of the the lessons learnt by both sides as a result of these battles, plus detail of their unit organisations.
Illustrations of the uniforms of both sides, archive images, maps and artwork throughout the book all make it interesting for those interested in WW2 in the Pacific, and the illustrations will be popular with modellers/figure painters especially. Another useful addition to the Combat series.
Thanks to Osprey Books for our review copy.

Robin