Claringbould, Michael J./Ingman, Peter Solomons Air War. Volume 3: Guadalcanal: From the Brink November - December 1942

This third volume of "Solomons Air War" describes the air warfare in the Solomons in November and December 1942 and can be read on its own or as part of the ongoing "Solomons Air War" series. In early November 1942, the American position on Guadalcanal was precarious. The Cactus Air Force had suffered extremely heavy losses in October and virtually all available reserves were depleted, while the damaged USS "Enterprise" was the only aircraft carrier that could provide support. Against this backdrop, the Japanese continued to wage a fierce air war and were determined to wipe out the Cactus Air Force through battleship bombardments while rolling the dice with the largest convoy yet, the "Tokyo Express". Thus the Americans were pushed to the brink in the naval battle of Guadalcanal, which took place from 12 to 15 November. As a result, the Japanese were forced to admit that they could not supply their troops on Guadalcanal and began to concentrate on building a new airfield at Munda. As a result, the American bombers returned to Henderson Field and carried the fight north to Munda and beyond for the rest of 1942. During this time, new tactics were tested, including the use of P-38s as long-range escort fighters and the first PBY-5A "Black Cat" missions. In the meantime, the Cactus Air Force expanded and received P-40s, B-26s, OS2U "Kingfishers" and RNZAF "Hudsons". This chronicle has been written using Allied and Japanese primary sources to provide a fresh, factual and highly detailed account of all aspects of the complex air campaign in the Solomons.