Fortress Rabaul by Bruce Gamble

[John Beaman]

Review of:

Fortress Rabaul, The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942-April 1943
by Bruce Gamble

Many of us who study the Luftwaffe also delve into other areas in WWII. The Allied effort again the island of New Britain, specifically, Rabaul, was a long and bloody chapter in the war against Japan. Aside from some official, generalized histories, or books written with some specific focus, there has not been a detailed study of the American, Australian and New Zealand effort in this campaign. This book changes that.

The author is just known for his superb history of Greg Boyington and the "Black Sheep" Marine squadron in two previous books. In these, he told a masterfully researched and apocryphal narrative telling it like it was, both good and bad. This book is no different. The best part is his integration of Japanese stories and records, comparing both sides' claims and reality--most eye opening. He does not spare McArthur, Kenny, or the Japanese commanders. The effort of both sides was tremendous and much rode on who won what and dominated the skies over the area.

However, there is disappointment. Even though the title says so, it is a great disappointment that the story ends with the killing of Adm. Yamamoto in April 1943. While he does not say so, it is as if the author considers the story over. However, there were great air battles in the Fall of 1943 and well into 1944 as the Allies worked to reduce Rabaul to impotence as well as take the main Japanese naval base, Truk, out of the picture. Perhaps there is a second volume?

Aside from that disappointment, the book is very well done and worth a read.

[Frank Olynyk]

John,
It is my understanding that Bruce has always intended Fortress Rabaul to be two volumes.

Frank.

[John Beaman]

Thanks, Frank. I'm glad to hear that. It certainly deserves a second volume given all the research he has done. I wonder why they did not say so anywhere on the cover or book? It is ironic that apparently the publisher chose a cover photo for the book of a low-level attack by a gun-B-25 which was taken in 1943-44!

[leonventer]

FYI, issue #133 of After The Battle magazine contains a 32-page article about the air war for Rabaul. It covers the whole campaign and it's up to ATB's usual standards -- quite detailed and well-illustrated.

Leon Venter

[kaki3152]

Also let's not forget Henry Sakaida's 1996 book, "The Siege of Rabaul" which brought new information on the Japanese perspective on Rabaul.

[Jim Oxley]

Before reading 'Fortress Rabaul', I recommend one should read his previous book that leads into the subject, namely "Darkest Hour: The True Story Of Lark Force At Rabaul". It sets the scene perfectly.

Personally I've always thought that Gamble's intention was to write a trilogy on Rabaul.

[Del Davis]

Bruce Gamble, author of the freshly released Fortress Rabaul, emails us that volume two, tentatively titled Ring of Fire, "...promises to be about twice as big and twice as compelling due to the incredible story of the few POWs who survived the Kempeitai camp at Rabaul. But that's a year or two off."
Quoted from Stone and Stone - World War II Books- 6 May 2010