Military Model Scene

Title: Truk 1944-45
Author: Mark Lardas
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4585-6

Number 26 in the Air Campaign series tackles an air campaign against the most important naval anchorage in the Pacific region for the Imperial Japanese Navy during WW2. This is a 96-page softcover book in the usual style, with plenty of archive images, some super artwork along with maps and 'birds-eye' views.
The Introduction which sets the scene rather nicely and that is followed by a Chronology of events. The next two sections examine the attacker's and defender's capabilities, leading neatly into an explanation of the Campaign Objectives of both sides. For the Japanese Truk was part of the outer defence ring, as a base for naval units, a supply base and a ferry point for aircraft into the region. For the US, it was a potential thorn in the side of their advance across the Pacific towards the Japanese home islands. In an effort to avoid what may have been a costly invasion they made the decision to neutralise Truk just by the use of air power. The description of the campaign itself explains how in this instance, that approach worked.
The Allied campaign involved multiple carrier units, along with a Royal Navy contribution from their carriers, along with land based bombers and long range fighter-bombers such as the P-47 Thunderbolt. Though none of the Japanese capital ships were caught in the anchorage, many smaller ships were attacked and sunk there, which today are well known for attracting divers to swim and explore the large number of wrecks which sit on the sea bed. An interesting read, packed into a compact and very readable account, and offering good value as we expects from the Osprey series.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.

Robin