US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Barrett Tillman
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78200-410-3
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 272
The US Marine Corps in the Pacific during the Second World War led to many incredible stories, including that of the famous Black Sheep. The pilots of the Marines helped secure the many islands in the Pacific and were a critical part to the success of the Allied forces against Japan. This latest compilation from Osprey examines the Marine Corps fighter units during the Second World War, with a solid review of the planes, squadrons, pilots, and major battles.
The book is divided into specific sections that detail different aspects of the Marine Corps fighter force. The book begins with a short examination of the aircraft and their armament, followed by a high-level overview of Marine Corps aviation in World War Two. After that, the book gets closer, with individual biographies of the leading Marine Corps aces, including separate coverage of Medal of Honor citations. Complementing these chapters are several photo page inserts that show the men and equipment of Marine Corps aviation. The appendices are also quite thorough, with two dozen separate appendices covering everything from the top squadrons to aces per squadron to aces by aircraft type to top US Marine nightfighter pilots.
This is a very enjoyable read, and it has definitely whetted the appetite for more in-depth reading. For those looking for a good single-point reference on US Marine Corps aviation during this war, this is a great place to start. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy.