The Japanese offensive in the Far East in 1941-2 was extraordinary in its ambition for their aim was to advance across the entire region. They clashed with an array of forces in a series of lightning campaigns that included famous episodes like the raid on Pearl Harbor and the conquest of Singapore. Among the opposing armies were those of the Americans, Dutch and Filipinos as well as the British imperial forces which included the Indians, Malays and Burmese. Philip Jowett in this vivid photographic history covers the whole course of the offensive, portraying not only the Japanese military which achieved such incredible success but the armies they overwhelmed.

Introduction -- Japan prepares for war, 1940-1 -- The British Empire in the Far East prepares -- 'Defence on a shoestring' - The Philippines Army, 1935-41 -- 'The forgotten army' - The army of the Netherlands East Indies, 1941 -- The Japanese Empire versus the USA - 'Japan strikes, 1941' -- 'For reasons of prestige' - The fall of Hong Kong, 1941 -- The Malayan Campaign, 1941-2 -- 'The British Army's greatest defeat' - The fall of Singapore, 1942 -- Battle of the Philippines, 1941-2 -- The Burma Campaign, December 1941-February 1942 -- The war at sea, December 1941-May 1942 -- The conquest of the Netherlands East Indies, 1942 -- Japan's spreading tentacles, 1941-2.