In September 1943, as America began advancing from its foothold on Guadalcanal, a young American airman was lost in heavy weather over the South Pacific on what was expected to be a routine flight. In examining that loss and the events leading up to a rescue attempt on an island in the South Pacific, and bringing together societies utterly alien to each other, Survival in the South Pacific brings together the big themes of the Pacific War.
The American lieutenant and his comrades had been swept from their homes, trained at speed for war, and dispatched to one of the remotest places on the globe. American war plans in place when Pearl Harbor was attacked poorly reflected the capabilities of its military, and the limits imposed by America's far-flung and indefensible territories. The Germany First policy had resulted in a deeply uncertain future for forces in the South Pacific and Australia-the United States was unprepared for the global war that came to it in late 1941, even as the pipeline of men and materiel began to fill. Young Allied and Japanese aviators, sailors, and soldiers, were not the only ones thrown into the swirling maelstrom of war that had engulfed the Pacific-the indigenous islanders were also immersed in a new reality. In bringing together individual stories of men at war, this book gives a new perspective on the Pacific War.
AUTHOR: Following a successful career in international business and global education, Robert Richardson began writing about the little-known, personal, but critically important stories of World War II and the Cold War. He wrote The Jagged Edge of Duty in 2017, and his current project relates to the events in the South Pacific during the early months of World War II. A life-long conservationist, Richardson is co-founder of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy.
By:
Robert Richardson
Imprint: Casemate Publishers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781636244150
ISBN 10: 1636244157
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 01 August 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified
Introduction Preface Chapter 1 When Strength Endures, Hope is Alive Chapter 2 The Approaching Storm Chapter 3 Early Months of the War in the Pacific Chapter 4 America Begins to Respond in the SoPac Chapter 5 North to Efate Chapter 6 The New Hebrides and its People Chapter 7 Espiritu Santo Becomes Critical Chapter 8 Santo and Guadalcanal Chapter 9 Advance Base Button Chapter 10 A New Garrison Force for Espiritu Santo Chapter 11 Richardson Arrives in SoPac Chapter 12 The 403rd Arrives in Theater Chapter 13 Air Echelon on the Move Chapter 14 Flight Operations from Santo Chapter 15 September 5, 1943 Chapter 16 Survival Chapter 17 Tan Pants Chapter 18 Lt. Richardson’s Private War Chapter 19 Aftermath for the 64ths Rescue Team and their Casualties Chapter 20 The War for the 129th Combat Team Chapter 21 The War for the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron Chapter 22 The People of Santo Chapter 23 65 Years Later and the Search on Santo Epilogue Bibliography Appendices Index
Following a successful career in international business and global education, Robert Richardson began writing about the little-known, personal, but critically important stories of World War II and the Cold War. He wrote The Jagged Edge of Duty in 2017, and his current project relates to the events in the South Pacific during the early months of World War II. A life-long conservationist, Richardson is co-founder of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy.
Reviews for Survival in the South Pacific: A Lost Airman’s Desperate Rescue amid the Maelstrom of War
""Richardson's telling of his father's story is a well-crafted account of the three levels of history in the South Pacific during World War II: a man, a people, and a war.""-- ""The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"" ""This account of oft-forgotten aspects of the war that is also a powerful survival story is highly recommended for the casual reader of military history as well as the serious scholar of the Pacific war.""-- ""Journal of America's Military Past"" ""This absorbing story provides a new perspective on the Pacific War via weaving together the stories of those involved in the rescue mission.""-- ""ARGunners.com"" ""...offers an amazing amount of information on our Marines slogging through the mire for Guadalcanal...""-- ""ARGunners.com""
