![]() After the second battle discussion is a 20-page collection of black and white photographs. ![]() The second battle-Tarawa-reinforced the soundness of American amphibious doctrine, and Lacey notes that this is echoed in the battles to follow in the Central Pacific. Moreover, while this initial confrontation centered on Navy and Marine planning, the ability of the Army forces to integrate on the ground indicated a more significant role in battles to come. Thus, many of the lessons learned focus on the need for cohesive training for such an environment. It is apparent from the initial battle analysis-Guadalcanal-that the American military forces in the Central Pacific were unprepared for the jungle warfare they encountered on the tiny island. Furthermore, Lacy indicates that the interactions between branches were ultimately successful once order was established.Įach chapter focuses on the five battles at hand and indicates useful lessons learned for military members facing joint environments. Refreshingly, the book sticks to its format and maintains its focus on the battles and logistical issues faced by the largerįorces rather than the Smith versus Smith discussion. ![]() While this interservice conflict is a significant and oft-recounted incident in Pacific war history, Lacy is careful to avoid spending a wealth of the book on such a dramatic controversy. Lacy would be remiss if she did not include the boiling tensions between Marine LtGen Holland M. Likely the most notable of these is the “Smith versus Smith” debacle. Many of these interactions focus on the enlisted perspective of the various leaders in the Pacific conflict. Lacy recounts many interactions between troops, as well as opinions from various individuals. This all serves to comprise a fairly thorough history of amphibious assault, or “island warfare,” and an analysis of joint operations-in just 213 pages! There is an extensive notes section, bibliography, and index that bring the total page count to 282.Īs a historical review, the book is an excellent piece. Within each of these sections are subsections that explore various components-specific units, intelligence, casualties, commanders, and so forth. Each battle is expertly broken down into sections that cover the strategic setting, operational planning, precombat training, operations, a battle summary, analysis, lessons learned, and the effect on future operations. Sharon Tosi Lacy presents an in-depth historical and strategic analysis of five Central Pacific battles (Guadalcanal, Tarawa, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Okinawa) waged during World War II. University of North Texas Press, 2014, 282 pp. Pacific Blitzkrieg: World War II in the Central Pacific by Sharon Tosi Lacey.
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