Bougainville, 1943-1945: The Forgotten Campaign

by Harry A. Gailey

The 1943 invasion of Bougainville, largest and northernmost of the Solomon Islands, and the naval battles during the campaign for the island, contributed heavily to the defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific war. Gailey (history, San Jose State U.) recounts the story of the long and arduous campaign.

Genres: World War II, Military History, History

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

A specialist in the history of Britain's African colonies, Harry Alfred Gailey served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, after which he worked as a civil and mechanical engineer. After earning a Ph.D. in history at UCLA in 1958, Gailey taught at Northwest Missouri State University for five years before joining the faculty at San Jose State University, where he taught until he assumed emeritus status. In his retirement, Gailey wrote several books about the Pacific campaigns in World War II.

Reviews

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book on the Bougainville Campaign in World War II, with information about the campaigns leading up to it as well. There are some pretty good maps and a few good photographs, along with a sprinkling of personal stories by participants in the battle. Good read for those who want a broad overview of the campaign, such as the introduction of black American troops into combat and the Australian campaign to eliminate all the Japanese on the island.

[Mtravis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive history of the Bougainville campaign, 43 to 45. Written in 91, the pictures are poorly copied and the style is much more a collection of reports design for someone who knows what 'APD' is and has a grasp on Southern Pacific geography and terrain. For the handful of interesting individual's stories Gailey includes, he skips the chance to tell an engaging story about the development of a certain piece of equipment or armor maneuver tactics in the jungles of Bougainville. For those looking to learn more about the Bougainville Campaign, day by day as well as the larger strategic planning concerning the shift of Japanese air and naval power out of the Solomans, this is an easy starting place but meanwhile I'll hope to find something that I could recommend to a wider audience.

[Garrett Budwine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about the Campaign for Bougainville island from 1943 until the end of the war. The narrative covers all aspects of the campaign including air, naval and land forces by the United States, New Zealand, Australian and Fijian troops.

I only wish there was more information from the Japanese side regarding strategy and tactical planning. The story is very much one sided following the allies. Overall the book is vary readable and complete.