Blazing Star, Setting Sun: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign November 1942 – March 1943 - Jeffrey R. Cox

This review has been submitted to the Canadian Naval Review.

Title: Blazing Star, Setting Sun: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign November 1942 – March 1943
Author: Jeffrey R. Cox
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4046-2
Publisher: Osprey
Year: 2020
Hardcover
Pages: 512
Photos/Maps: 33/5

"Blazing Star, Setting Sun" by Jeffrey R. Cox is a well-written and thoroughly researched account of the Pacific War from the perspectives of the United States and Japan. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the military strategies, tactics, and decisions made by both sides during the conflict, as well as their respective political, economic, and cultural contexts. The third book in his series on the Pacific War, he continues to impress with the quality of his research and writing. This book covers the 5 month brutal period of the Battle for Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands marking a sea change as the West began its inexorable rise and the Japanese their descent in the War of the Pacific.

One of the strengths of the book is Cox's ability to bring to life the individuals who played pivotal roles in the Pacific War. Cox masterfully weaves together the personal stories of key military and political figures, such as Admiral Chester Nimitz, General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, within the larger historical narrative. Through these personal stories, the reader gains a deeper understanding of the motivations, fears, and aspirations that drove these leaders and shaped their decisions.

The book is also noteworthy for its balanced and nuanced portrayal of both the American and Japanese perspectives. Cox does not shy away from describing the brutality of the war on both sides, nor does he hesitate to critique the mistakes and shortcomings of both the United States and Japan. In doing so, he offers a more complete and complex understanding of the Pacific War that is often lacking in other accounts.

One of the most interesting themes of the book is the role of intelligence in shaping the outcome of the war. Cox highlights the importance of both human intelligence (i.e., spies and informants) and signals intelligence (i.e., intercepted radio messages) in providing critical information that allowed both sides to gain advantages over their opponents. He also demonstrates how the ability to read and interpret intelligence was often the deciding factor in battles and campaigns, such as the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Perhaps the only weakness of the book is its focus on the military and political aspects of the war to the exclusion of other important dimensions, such as the social and cultural impact of the conflict on the people of the United States and Japan. While Cox touches on these issues, they are not given as much attention as they could have been. However, this is a minor criticism given the scope and depth of the book.

Overall, "Blazing Star, Setting Sun" is an outstanding account of the Pacific War that will appeal to anyone interested in military history, international relations, or the human experience of war. Cox's prose is clear and engaging, and his analysis is insightful and thought-provoking. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Pacific War and its lasting impact on the world.

After Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters June 1916 – November 1918 - James Goldrick

This review has been submitted to the Canadian Naval Review

Title: After Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters June 1916 – November 1918
Author: James Goldrick
ISBN: 978-1-5267-4298-8
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publishing
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 332
Photos/Maps: 32/13 

The prevalent assumption amongst a significant portion of casual World War 1 enthusiasts is that, following the inconclusive Battle of Jutland, the German High Seas Fleet maintained a very limited presence on the high seas for the duration of the war, the Royal Navy continued, for the most part unchallenged, preserving the stranglehold on Germany and that the Baltic saw little if any activity whatsoever. Of course, this is far from the truth and Adm (ret'd) Goldrick’s work goes a long way in dismissing those misconceptions. His narrative iterates the experiences of the major Northern Theatre Battle Fleets (RN, German and Russian), as they undertake operations from the Gulf of Finland to the edge of the North Sea. While it is true that a second major fleet action along the lines of Jutland did not materialize, Goldrick makes it very clear that significant actions were very much the norm right up until the end of the war. 

The author is a professional Navy man, and that expertise comes through in his analysis and discussion of the engagements and operational challenges/successes of the different navies. Additionally, and just as significantly, he expands the scope of his narrative to include detailed reviews on the technological developments of the adversaries as the war progressed. These include but are not limited to mine warfare, naval air capabilities, gunnery, and submarine development. His observations and explanations on the impact of these areas on offensive and defensive operations are succinct and insightful. 

Navies operate in an international environment, free from the restraints of trench warfare etc. As such, they cannot help but interact with assets of non-combatant nations and these interactions can have far reaching effects well beyond their immediate boundaries. Goldrick incorporates his thoughts on the impact of these international engagements on the course of the war itself. The declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans in 1917, for example, was directly responsible for facilitating the entrance of the United States into the war. 

A particular strength of this book is the section that the author refers to as the ‘Reflections’. In this area, he finalizes the work with a series of conclusions on the overall conduct of the naval war by each of the main protagonists. His observations are telling and prescient. He is critical of the method by which the German Navy was utilized, suggesting that its strengths were not fully recognized specifically in the areas of surface raiders, submarine warfare (not unrestricted however), and operational doctrine in the use of mixed-use flotilla’s and scouting groups. Nevertheless, the author also recognizes the limitations imposed on the fleet by external factors such as the expanse of the submarine service on personnel and the deterioration of the ships themselves as the war progressed due to (presumably) the impact of the blockade on engineering supplies. The British, for their part, missed significant opportunities regarding mine warfare and the advent of naval aviation. Additionally, its failure to pursue more aggressively a coordinated effort with the Russians that may well have squeezed the German ability to respond on two naval fronts concurrently. The author also makes note of the Russian reluctance to engage in the Western regions of the Baltic Sea. Surely here was a missed opportunity to interdict the flow of resources, particularly iron ore, from Sweden to Germany. 

This was a very enjoyable book to read; educational, relevant, and featuring a good balance of technical insight as well as flowing narrative. It is strongly recommended for the casual historian as well as the dedicated researcher. The publisher has produced a very high quality book to go with the excellent read.

Narvik: The Struggle of Battle Group Dietl in the Spring of 1940 - Alex Buchner (Translated by Janice Ancker)

This review has been submitted to Air Force

Magazine. 

Title: Narvik: The Struggle of Battle Group Dietl in the Spring of 1940
Author: Alex Buchner (Translated by Janice Ancker)
ISBN: 978-1-61200-917-9
Publisher: Casemate Publishing
Year: 2020
Hardcover
Pages: 218
Photos/Maps: 0/9 

The German invasion of Norway, in April/May 1940, is viewed by many as another example of German military prowess and the Allied response one of incompetence and vacillation. In many respects that is true, however, the battle that took place over the Northern port of Narvik stands out as a particularly vivid example of missed opportunity by the Allies and a mixture of tenacity and great luck on the part of the Germans. 

This work, part of “Die Wehrmacht im Kampf” series from Casemate, was originally published in the late 1950’s by Buchner who was present at the battle as part of the German Mountain Troops. He was thus able to draw upon not only the recollections of his compatriots but also his own experiences during the fighting. Written solely from the perspective of the German forces present, it is the first time in English that a narrative of the fighting has been available exclusively from that viewpoint. 

Originally deployed as the most northern element of the invasion forces, a convoy made up of ten destroyers ferried at high speed, 2,700 German Mountain troops with only their personal kit and a minimum of additional supplies to Narvik in order to seize this key port for the export of Swedish ore. All of their follow-on supplies, specialized winter warfare kit and heavy weapons were to follow in a second echelon of support ships expected within 48 hours of their arrival. Unfortunately for the Germans, while their seizure of Narvik and its surrounding area went generally as planned, the Royal Navy succeeded in surprising and sinking all 10 of the German destroyers as well as all save one of the follow-on support ships. Thereby isolated and cut off from support, the Germans, numbering 2,700 Mountain Troops and 2,600 Naval personnel, were faced with holding off at least five times as many Allied soldiers, readily supplied by the Royal Navy who controlled the sea access. However, under the inspired leadership of Generalleutnant Dietl, the Germans, utilizing audacity, initiative, skill and daring (and enjoying more than a fair degree of luck) managed to hold off the more pedestrian efforts on the part of the Allies to oust them from their tenuous hold on Narvik. 

What stands out in this narrative are the critical roles that leadership and morale played in the German success. Buchner relates, in very telling prose, the incredibly debilitating environment within which the Germans had to operate. Northern Norway in April and May is a very hostile winter climate which would have challenged the finest of troops let alone a force that was comprised half of Naval personnel now being used in a Mountain Infantry role. The author describes the methods the German leadership took to both integrate these men into infantry roles and also to fully utilize the specialist skills that they possessed (communications, support and small watercraft control). The Germans showed great skill at taking full advantage of the resources that were available to them.

The writing style of the author is surprisingly engaging. The reader is able to fully appreciate not only the challenges of the environment but of the formidable skill of the German soldiers and officers in adjusting to a fluid and dynamic combat environment. One is left with a distinct appreciation of the benefits of hard training, audacious leadership throughout the chain of command and a deep-rooted belief by the Germans in competency of their Commanders. 

The book is a good quality publication although pictures would have added to the general presentation. The maps provided at the front were in German from the original publication but are able to be used to follow the unfolding events. A series of appendices outline orders of battle at various points for the opposing forces, orders and directives and timelines for the reinforcement of the German forces. The author has also included a comprehensive bibliography (utilizing German primary source material) as well as thorough notes section. Overall, a well written and very interesting book that would serve as an excellent counter point to publications of Allied efforts in Norway.