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Re: FAA Role in the Pacific.?
There isn't much written material out there on either the FAA or the BPF's involvement in the Pacific War.
But what is out there is a real eye-opener.
Three books that are a 'Must Have' for anyone who is interested in this subject are:
They gave Me A Seafire, by Mike Crosley. Excellent book that covers his service from the Malta convoys, Torch and through to wars end in the Pacific. He is very critical of the tactics employed by the BSP commanders, in particular Admiral Vain (of Cossack fame) who was Carrier Fleet Commander. His descriptions of combat against the Japanese is rivetting.
Barracuda Pilot, by Dunstan Hadley. Trained on the ungainly Barracuda Hadley formed a very strong attachment to this plane - warts and all. His tour of duty was mostly confined to the Pacific, and his vivid recounting of raids on Sumatra and Sigli are great reading. Interestingly Hadley too is very critical of the use Britiah Admirals made of the FAA in the Theatre, and draws several cutting comparisons between how the FAA was utilised and how the USN applied their aircraft.
Grave Of A Dozen Schemes - British Naval Planning and the War Against Japan, 1943-1945, by H. P. Wilmont. Definitely read the other two books first, at least that way you will enjoy them. Because after reading this book you will be far to amazed and frustrated by how inept the planning staff and admirals were in trying to conduct an offensive war against the Japanese, and their total lack of understanding on the proper utilisation of air power (FAA).
The history of the RN in the Med and Atlantic is rich and glorious. But in the Pacific in the late war years it was plagued by poor leadership, outmoded planning, political manoeuvering and downright ego posturing. The last in trying to compete against the far better equipped and more experienced USN.
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