Bougainville, 1943-1945: The Forgotten Campaign

by Harry A. Gailey

Overview

" The 1943 invasion of Bougainville, largest and northernmost of the Solomon Islands, and the naval battles during the campaign for the island, contributed heavily to the defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific War. Here Harry Gailey presents the definitive account of the long and bitter fighting that took place on that now all-but-forgotten island. A maze of swamps, rivers, and rugged hills overgrown with jungle, Bougainville afforded the Allies a strategic site for airbases from which to attack the Japanese bastion of Rabaul. By February of 1944 the Japanese air strength at Rabaul had indeed been wiped out and their other forces there had been isolated and rendered ineffective. The early stages of the campaign were unique in the degree of cooperation among Allied forces. The overall commander, American Admiral Halsey, marshaled land, air, and naval contingents representing the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Unlike the other island campaigns in the Pacific, the fighting on Bougainville was a protracted struggle lasting nearly two years. Although the initial plan was simply to seize enough area for three airbases and leave the rest in Japanese hands, the Australian commanders, who took over in November 1944, decided to occupy the entire island. The consequence was a series of hard-fought battles that were still going on when Japan's surrender finally brought them to an end. For the Americans, a notable aspect of the campaign was the first use of black troops. Although most of these troops did well, the poor performance of one black company was greatly exaggerated in reports and in the media, which led to black soldiers in the Pacific theater begin relegated to non-combat roles for the remainder of the war. Gailey brings again to life this long struggle for an island in the far Pacific and the story of the tens of thousands of men who fought and died there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813190471
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	02/14/2003
Edition description:	Subsequent
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	923,136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

	List of Maps	vii
	Introduction	1
1.	Japanese Advances and Retreats	7
2.	Allied Planning	22
3.	The Treasuries and Choiseul	39
4.	Establishing the Beachhead	60
5.	Naval Actions	78
6.	Expanding the Perimeter	93
7.	The Rear Areas	120
8.	Consolidating the Perimeter	132
9.	The Japanese Counterattack	149
10.	The 93d Division Affair	169
11.	The Final Phase	184
	Glossary	212
	Notes	214
	Bibliography	225
	Index	229

Editorial Reviews

An important contribution to World War II history.

McCormick (SC) Messenger

Military historians and buffs, and anyone else interested in learning more about battles in the Pacific Theater, should find this a valuable reference, especially veterans who may have fought at Bougainville.

Gun Week

A valuable contribution to the history of the war in the Southwest Pacific.

Associated Press

A wonderful narrative history on the little remembered battle at Bougainville.

Southern Historian

Gailey's flowing narrative and perceptive assessments make this study a useful campaign analysis.

WWII History

Highly recommended. While neglected by most students of World War II in the Pacific, the battle of Bougainville remains one of the key stepping stones to victory in September 1945.

Armor

"A valuable contribution to the history of the war in the Southwest Pacific." -- Associated Press

"A wonderful narrative history on the little remembered battle at Bougainville." -- Southern Historian

"An important contribution to World War II history." -- McCormick (SC) Messenger

"Gailey's flowing narrative and perceptive assessments make this study a useful campaign analysis." -- WWII History

"Highly recommended. While neglected by most students of World War II in the Pacific, the battle of Bougainville remains one of the key stepping stones to victory in September 1945." -- Armor

"Military historians and buffs, and anyone else interested in learning more about battles in the Pacific Theater, should find this a valuable reference, especially veterans who may have fought at Bougainville." -- Gun Week

From the Publisher

The 1943 invasion of Bougainville, largest and northernmost of the Solomon Islands, and the naval battles during the campaign for the island, contributed heavily to the defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific war. Gailey (history, San Jose State U.) recounts the story of the long and arduous campaign. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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