Herder, Brian Lane/Hooh, Adam (Illustr.) World War II US Fast Carrier Task Force Tactics

A succinct but detailed illustrated explanation of the techniques by which the ships and aircraft of the US Fast Carrier Task Forces achieved their victories over the Imperial Japanese Navy. Drawing on difficult-to-access wartime documents and other contemporary sources, this is the first compact, illustrated study of the tactics and techniques of the US fast carriers of Task Forces 50, 58 and 38 during the naval war against Japan in 1943-45. This title concentrates on exactly how these highly successful forces actually operated: their composition in ships, aircraft, and men; the essential technology at their disposal; the evolving doctrine for their employment; the opposition and dangers they faced; and how they overcame them at the tactical level. It explains in straightforward terms the intricate details of topics such as how ships maneuvered, how aircraft were deployed and recovered, the formations and approaches used by fighters, dive-bombers, and torpedo-bombers against naval and land targets, and how Task Forces defended themselves. The text is supported by a wide range of wartime photos and full-color illustrations, showing, for example, the formations employed by ships and aircraft, with altitudes and ranges throughout the course of attacks.

This title focuses on how these highly successful naval and air forces actually operated: their composition in terms of ships, aircraft and men; the essential technology available to them; the evolving doctrine for their use; the opposition from the Japanese and the dangers they faced; and how they overcame them at a tactical level. It explains in simple terms the intricate details of topics such as how ships manoeuvred within a large fleet, how aircraft were deployed and recovered, the formations and procedures of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo planes against sea and land targets, and how carrier battle groups defended themselves against attack. The text is supported by a large number of wartime photographs and colour illustrations showing, for example, the formations of ships and aircraft with altitudes and ranges throughout the course of the attack.