Disaster in the Pacific: New Light on the Battle of Savo Island
The U.S. Navy suffered its worst defeat on August 9, 1942 off Savo Island near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The U.S. Task Force met the Japanese fleet with disastrous results; one Australian and three American cruisers were sunk while enemy losses were nil. For 50 years, the true story of this humiliating defeat has been kept under wraps. Now this Australian historian/journalist team answers the numerous questions about Savo Island. Why were the Americans taken by surprise? Why were reports of Japanese movements ignored, and why was U.S. intelligence so inept? In fact, the Americans underestimated the Japanese capacity for night fighting as well as their excellent training and equipment. U.S. forces were poorly trained in night fighting, their torpedoes were ineffective, and the American commanders were tired and inexperienced. Until now, very little accurate information on Savo Island has been available. This remarkable book belongs in all World War II collections.-Stanley Itkin, Hillside P.L., New Hyde Park, N.Y.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.