This book is based on the author’s Doctorate presentation, it is not difficult to read, but it’s origins are obvious, and might even be annoying. The introduction of ‘academic’ style references in the text sometimes breaks up the flow - though to be fair to the author, these are accompanied by clear and sometimes engrossing footnotes. There is also the academic need to be repetitive, repeating thesis, and continually seeking to defend his conclusions and ‘show’ what he has proved. One could have considered subtracting a star from the overall rating for these annoying interruptions - but, by adopting an academic approach and concentrating in some previously little explored areas, like the early warning systems, or the proven efficiency, or otherwise of the counter air campaign, or highlighting the lack of resources the JAAF was operating with, the author gives a fresh, wider, less subjective view of the SEAC air campaign, without ever seeking to diminish the bravery and resourcefulness of those that fought it.
Despite the reservations about the academic thesis approach, this is not a dry tome, the author rights clearly, logically and holds one’s interest. His conclusions, sometimes going counter to widely held ‘givens’ are interesting, well supported and credible, and put across clearly. He highlights the comparatively limited results of the counter air campaign. He highlights that the quality of JAAF pilots in the Burma area did not decline during the campaign, although many resources were withdrawn, temporarily or completely. He shows the overwhelming contribution of air superiority and subsequently supremacy to the key role played by air transport. He highlights, as other authors have, the important, sometimes overlooked part (The forgotten amongst the forgotten!!) played by USAAF units. Ultimately he adds a further, well supported perspective to a fascinating, sometimes seemingly quite self contained part of the War. (He does, of course make reference to the various competing calls on resources, manpower, aircraft, radar technology that were important factors. A very good overview, well worth the read, the academic roots of the book provide a minor irritation, easily compensated for by the wider and in many ways clearer perspective given.
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