The outcome of the Pacific War was heavily influenced by the results of naval battles between the Imperial Japanese fleet and the US Navy. One of the key elements was Japan's large fighter component, which had gained experience over Manchuria, China and Mongolia in the late 1930s. Flying A5Ms, at least 21 pilots proved to be highly skilled when engaged by the Allied forces, Pacific. Pilots like Nishizawa, Sugita and Sakai scoring more than 60 kills apiece. Following a series of key carrier battles, navy pilots began to operate predominantly from shore bases in New Guinea, the Philippines and finally the Japanese home islands. New fighter types like the Raiden, Shiden/Shiden-kai, Gekko and later versions of the Zero only helped delay the inevitable defeat, and hundreds of naval pilots paid the ultimate price in the final months of war as kamikazes. -- From the back cover.

The China war -- Early months of the Pacific War -- Midway -- New Guinea, Rabaul and the Solomons -- Central Pacific to the Philippines -- Home defence.