December 8, 1941

[edwest]

What the author calls MacArthur's Pearl Harbor:


http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/2003/bartsch.htm





Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Jim Oxley]

Does it address the key issue of why MacArthur and Sutherland failed to act against the Japanese on Formosa with the warning they had? Or why, with ten hours warning, were American forces caught napping when the Japanese attack materialised?

Unless the book offers new insight into key personel command decisions as to why the US Forces were caught at such a devasting disadvantage then it (probably) is only covering ground already explored in earlier books on this subject. Of which "The Fall of the Philippines" by Louis Morton is perhaps the best, and certainly the most comphrehensive.

[mars]

Jim, the answer to your question is yes, this book provided almost minute by minute account about these fatefull hours, and the same author's another book "Doomed at the Start: American Pursuit Pilots in the Philippines, 1941-1942" is also excellent

[CJE]

Here's the review published in The Journal of Military History, Vol. 67, No. 4 (Oct., 2003).

The first and last two lines are missing but the review remains comprehensible.

Chris

[John Beaman]

I have recently finished reading this book. It will become the definitive one on the subject unless new documentation is uncovered and that it hard to imagine given the extensive research and footnoting that is evident in this book.The first half covers in detail the planning (or lack thereoff) of the defense of the Philippines and massive strategy changes by the US in the summer of 1941. As for why they were caught on the ground it is a perfect storm for a variety of reasons But, the major fault lies directly with MacArthur's incomprehensible orders as the author makes clear. Of course, there was plenty of other fault to go around. However, the author spends some pages about why there was never an investigation about this disaster. The answer will not surprise you. Highly recommended reading.

[Jim Oxley]

Thanks guys, I placed an order at my local shop.