The Japanese Army: Pt. 2

From December 1941 the Imperial Japanese Army shocked the world by its lightening victories over the US, British and Dutch forces in the Philippines, Malaya and the East Indies. The Pacific War occupied much of the US war effort, from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa, but although the broad details of these campaigns are common knowledge, few detailed accounts of the Japanese uniforms and equipment are available. This second volume in a two-book study describes and illustrates the developments in Japanese uniforms and equipment from the high point of conquest in 1942, through the long island and jungle campaigns of 1942-45. Researched from Japanese sources, it also covers the last ditch forces raised in the Home Islands to resist the expected Allied invasion.

Author Biography

Philip S. Jowett was born in Leeds in 1961, and has been interested in military history for as long as he can remember. His original interest lies in small and little-known wars and armies; before beginning his series on the Italian Army of World War II he was the author of the much praised MAA 306 Chinese Civil War Armies 1911-49. A rugby league enthusiast and amateur genealogist, he is married and lives in Leeds. Stephen Andrew was born in 1961 in Glasgow (where he still lives and works). In the last few years he has established himself as one of the best young illustrators of military subjects working today. An entirely self-taught artist, he worked as a junior in advertising and design agencies before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1993. Military history is his passion, and since 1997 he has illustrated Osprey titles including MAA 306 Chinese Civil War Armies 1911-1949, and the five-volume sequence on the World War II German Army.