Aces Against Japan: The American Aces Speak

Flight Journal, Apr 2003 by DeGroat, Robert S

Aces Against Japan: The American Aces Speak by Eric Hammel; Pacifica Press, 1149 Grand Teton Dr., Pacifica, CA 94044; www.pacificamilitary.com; 318 pages; illustrated; $29.95.

Whenever a book comes out about WW II Pacific Theater operations, I find it interesting to see how many pilots' names are familiar; those who fought in

Europe have been given considerably more coverage. Happily, several respectable authors have endeavored to change all that and to give the Pacific pilots their due.

Eric Hammel's book deals with exactly this. The Pacific war required excellent airmanship and navigation over vast expanses of ocean. Here are the intriguing personal tales of pilots who regularly flew under these harsh conditions.

As you might expect, some of the pilots are well-known, but most are not. The book covers the period from December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor) to the final air battles over Japan in 1945. The fighters include P-40s, P-38s, P-47s, P-Sls, Wildcats, Hellcats and Corsairsall classics.

Best of all, Hammel lets the veterans tell their stories in their own words. Their accounts bring an immediacy that isn't always found in the usual history books. This volume (the first of two) is well written and presents the fascinating tales of those who were there. It will be a most welcome addition to all aviation enthusiasts' and Pacific historians' bookshelves.

-Robert S. DeGroat *