Search results for ""Author J. Michael Wenger""

Book SynopsisThey're Killing my Boys is a detailed combat narrative of the 7 December 1941 Japanese attacks on Hickam Field — then one of two major US Army airfields on the island of O'ahu. Since the field served as a base for long-range bombers, the Japanese military desired to put Hickam out of action to prevent U.S. forces from searching for and attacking their carrier force.Typically, military historians tend to focus on the destruction sustained by the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Although the loss of life at Hickam Field was less than that sustained by the Pacific Fleet, the attacks on the former location caused destruction and mayhem that was disastrous and wrenching.This work describes actions in the air and on the ground at the deepest practical personal and tactical level, from both the American and Japanese perspectives. Such a synthesis is possible only by pursuing every conceivable source of American documents, reminiscences, interviews, and photographs. This accumulation of data and information makes possible an intricate and highly-integrated story that is unparalleled. The interwoven nature of the narratives of both sides provides a deep understanding of the events at Hickam Field that has been impossible to present heretofore.

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Book SynopsisNo One Avoided Danger is a detailed combat narrative of the 7 December 1941 Japanese attacks on NAS Kaneohe Bay, one of two naval air stations on the island of O'ahu. Partly because of Kaneohe's location - 15 air miles over a mountain range from the main site of that day's infamous attack on Pearl Harbor - military historians have largely ignored the station's story. Moreover, there is an understandable tendency to focus on the massive destruction sustained by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attacks on NAS Kaneohe Bay, however, were equally destructive and no less disastrous, notwithstanding the station's considerable distance from the harbor.The work focuses on descriptions of actions in the air and on the ground at the deepest practical, personal, and tactical level, from both the American and Japanese perspectives. Such a synthesis is possible only by pursuing every conceivable source of American documents, reminiscences, interviews, and photographs. Similarly, the authors sought out Japanese accounts and photography from the attacks, many appearing in print for the first time. Information from the Japanese air group and aircraft carrier action reports has never before been used.On the American side, the authors also have researched the Official Military Personnel Files at the National Personnel Records Center and National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri, extracting service photographs and details of the military careers of American officers and men. The authors are among the first historians to be allowed access to previously unused service records. The authors likewise delved into the background and personalities of key Japanese participants, and have translated and incorporated the Japanese aircrew rosters from the attack.This accumulation of data and information makes possible an intricate and highly integrated story that is unparalleled. The interwoven narratives of both sides provide a deeper understanding of the events near Kane'ohe Bay than any previous history.Trade Review“This new book is an unusual and worthwhile treatment of a well-known subject and is hopefully only the first volume in a continuing series of titles that focus on more specific areas of the strike that hurled the U.S. into its most important conflict until the current long-going war against terrorism.”—Naval Aviation News “This is a highly readable and factual book that covers the attack and the day after based substantially on recollections of the people present at the time. The tremendous selection of photographs and a complete and detailed analysis of the attack support the text. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and look forward to the follow-on books that will cover the attack on Ford Island the ships in Pearl. I highly recommend this book.”—The Hook “The authors conducted interviews, searched archives, translated Japanese documents, and conducted expert analysis. The result is a coherent in-depth study of an important piece of that day’s events. The events at Kaneohe Bay have long been given the short shrift in the overall study of the Pearl Harbor attack; this book redresses that imbalance.”—WWII History“A handsome book enriched by scores of photographs.”—Michigan War Studies Review

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Book SynopsisThis Is No Drill is a detailed combat narrative of the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on NAS Pearl Harbor--then one of two naval air stations on the island of O'ahu. Since the station served as a base for long-range patrol aircraft, the Japanese aimed to put NAS Pearl Harbor out of action to prevent U.S. planes from searching for their carrier force. The work of these three scholars focuses on descriptions of actions in the air and on the ground at the deepest personal and tactical levels, from both the American and Japanese perspectives, with many of the photos from Japanese sources appearing in print for the first time.This accumulation of data and information makes possible an intricate story that is unparalleled in its scope. The interwoven narratives of both sides provides the sort of in-depth understanding of the events at NAS Pearl Harbor that would have been impossible to present previously.Trade Review"This is a carefully and extensively researched book that paints a memorable picture of perhaps the most memorable event in US military history. There is good pace and impact in the text with the support of a great many outstanding images. [...] This book is a must read for any serious naval history enthusiast and for professionals. It is also the best starting point for those coming new to the topic area." — FIRE Reviews

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