Re: MacArthur's Eagles: The U.S. Air War Over New Guinea, 1943-1944
A book that should be read in conjunction with the above is one titled "MacArthur's Airman, General George Kenney And The War In The Southwest Pacific", by Thomas E Griffith. ISBN 0-7006-0909-1.
Provides an excellent appreciation of the development of the 5th AF, it's humble beginnings and the constant battle with Washington for modern equipment, the command challenges in operating a modern air force in extremely primitive surroundings and, most importantly, the role Kenney played in creating an extremely effective air force.
Given that for most of the campaign in New Guinea the 5th AF's aircraft numbers were matched by the Japanese, it really illustrates how much more effective American use of air power was compared to Japanese.
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