Just as the German blitzkrieg stunned the world in 1939-40, so too did the Japanese offensive of 1941-42. In just eight weeks following 7 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army captured Manila, almost all of the Philippines, Hong Kong, the Malay Peninsula and the Great British bastion at Singapore before forcing the capitulation of Siam and occupying Burma. A month later, they had added the Netherlands East Indies, with an area and depth of natural resources more than twice that of Japan, to their trophy case. Based on Japanese sources and first-hand reports, this book examines these astonishing Japanese successes, revealing how victory after victory was won despite the huge logistical and geographical challenges presented by waging war in the Pacific.

Part I: One foot on the road: Two young warriors and the Emperor's Army -- Two senior officers and the Emperor's Armies -- First bridges on the road to war -- World at war -- Two building blocks fall into place -- Taking the southern road -- Final preparations -- Part II: Banzai Blitzkrieg: December 8, 1941 -- First week -- Homma in the Philippines -- Black Christmas -- Part III: Rising Sun over Asia : New Year in Malaya -- New Year in the Philippines -- Ploesti of the East -- Indies stepping stones -- Tiger of Malaya strikes at Singapore -- War comes to Burma -- Part IV: Crown Jewel, from one Empire to Another: Heart of the Dutch East Indies -- Tightening the noose across the Indies -- Beautiful Bali, stepping stone to Java -- Tightening the noose in the Java Sea -- Axe falls on Java -- Four days on Java -- Conquest of the Dutch East Indies -- Part V: Unstoppable fire of the Rising Sun: Battle of Australia -- Battle of America -- Climax in Burma -- Bataan and Corregidor, the final days -- Part VI: Setting of the Sun: End of the beginning -- Under the Emperor's roof -- Beginning of the end -- End.