Operation KE: The Cactus Air Force and the Japanese Withdrawal from Guadalcanal
"In summary, the authors aptly describe KE as "a great escape," successfully evacuating some 10,000 Japanese troops despite continued, often ferocious, U.S. air attack. The final chapter contains a detailed analysis of the reasons why the Japanese succeeded and the Allies failed to stop them, but notes that relatively few of the emperor's rescued soldiers fought again in the Solomons.Operation KEis a worthwhile contribution to the literature of the Guadalcanal campaign."-- Naval History"Extremely detailed, informative and comprehensive."-- Defense Media Network"The narrative is rich in detail of the aerial action, giving comprehensive, blow-by-blow accounts that accentuate the heroism and resourcefulness of the Cactus Air Force crews."-- Seapower Magazine"The surprisingly successful Japanese evacuation of troops from Guadalcanal has for too long been largely ignored or minimized. Deeply researched and detailed, the Letourneaus' work picks up where John Lundstrom's masterful The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign left off in describing and analyzing the desperate and intense aerial combat that took place over the Japanese destroyer flotillas engaged therein. Detailing the equipment, tactics, challenges, and experiences of the air units and airmen of both sides, this work represents a groundbreaking contribution to this significant and previously overlooked history."--Allyn D. Nevitt, author of Long Lancers"By far the most detailed treatment of this important and under-studied operation. Packed with new research, the result is a thorough treatment of the air battles that raged in the Solomon Islands at the end of the Guadalcanal campaign."--Jonathan Parshall, co-author, Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway"Operation KE is a crackling good account of the Japanese military's successful rescue of their 10,000 troops remaining on Guadalcanal in early 1943. Researched extensively from both U.S. and Japanese records, the story unwinds around day-to-day air and sea combat. The narrative is engrossing and the authors' conclusions are sure to stir controversy."--Lt. Col. James A. Feliton, USMC (Ret.) former Cactus Air Force Pilot during Operation KE