Adams, Gregg/Hook, Adam (Illustr.) US Soldier vs Japanese Infantryman

Philippines 1944–45

In October 1944, the 6th US Army landed on Leyte in the Japanese-occupied central Philippines, triggering a series of battles that became the largest engagement between American and Japanese forces. Determined to liberate the Philippines, General Douglas MacArthur's troops faced Japanese soldiers who were determined to make their opponents pay a bitter price, in difficult terrain stretching from the streets of Manila to the mountains and jungles of Leyte. With specially commissioned illustrations, archival photographs and colour maps, this book examines three important battles of the Philippine campaign. The 1st Division of the IJA faced the 24th Division of the US Army as it advanced towards the port of Ormoc (Breakneck Ridge, 5 to 15 November 1944), in a battle that pitted one of Japan's best divisions against regular pre-war units of the US Army. The 38th Division of the US Army fought against the reinforced 39th Infantry Regiment at Zig Zag Pass (31 January to 15 February 1945), with a relatively inexperienced US division encountering IJA veterans in difficult terrain. Finally, Gregg Adams examines the battle for the Ipo Dam (19 May 1945), in which the experienced 43rd US Division fought against Kawashima's troops. This compelling study sheds light on the men who fought on both sides.