"The prolonged and bloody fighting for control of the Japanese occupied Pacific islands in World War II is a key point in 20th-century warfare. No two islands were alike in the systems and nature of their defensive emplacements, and local improvisation and command preferences affected both materials used and defensive models ... [This book examines] the establishment, construction and effectiveness of Japanese temporary and semi-permanent crew-served weapons positions and individual and small-unit fighting positions. Integrated obstacles and minefields, camouflage and the changing defensive principles are also covered"--Publisher's website.

Introduction -- Japanese island defense doctrine -- Building and manning the island defenses -- Principles of island defense -- Defensive action -- Island defenses: the test of battle -- An assessment of the Japanese defenses.