Rolling Thunder Against the Rising Sun

by Gene Eric Salecker

Although the history of armor in World War II has captured the attention of countless authors, no one has yet chronicled the extensive use of tanks in the Pacific--until now. In comprehensive detail Gene Eric Salecker describes the exploits of American tanks on the jungle islands where troops engaged in savage combat and encountered unforgiving weather and terrain. Stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked the islands in 1941, the U.S. Army's independent tank battalions fought from the very start of the war. From New Guinea and the Solomons to the Ryukyus, American armor proved instrumental in winning World War II in the Pacific.

464 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2008

Reviews

[Danny Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An encyclopedic account of WWII armored warfare in the pacific; unfortunately, it reads like an encyclopedia as well and was challenging to get through front to back. As a book, it struggles to hold a reader’s interest as it fails to capture attention through concise story telling. Historical records and personal accounts are compiled with so much detail, at times even down to the exact tank number/name, the narrative tends to drag. Even covering seemingly every individual valorous act which resulted in a bronze star or greater, it is told in a nearly emotionless, factual, and direct way.

However, as a detailed chronology for those with personal or academic interest on armored fighting in WWII’s pacific theater, there are no other books out there which tell this story so collectively. Every portion of the book is packed with details on the units’ organizational structures, the equipment descriptions and capabilities, terrain nuances, strategic plans, and movements of forces. My grandfather being one of these tankers is what kept me reading and glad this book exists since I’ve never seen a more thorough account of these events. However, if not for my personal connection I do not believe I would’ve finished.

[Gary Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an insightful book that shows the utility of tanks in restricted terrain, including small islands across the INDOPACOM theater. Although large armored divisions fighting across the sweaping plains of Europe garnish the majority of our memory and vision about tanks, this book proves the utility of small infantry-tank teams to break through obstacles and fortified positions such as bunkers, caves, and even thick jungle.

By the end of World War II, the U.S. Army had fourteen tank battalions in the Pacific theater - three in Okinawa (193rd, 711th, and 713th), ten in the Philippines (28th, 44th, 706th, 710th, 716th, 754th, 763rd, 775th, 779th, and 785th), one on Hawaii (767th). Earlier in the campaign, these tank battalions had taken part in the seizure of dozens of islandsand other land masses, including Makin, the Solomons, Rabaul, New Guinea, Biak, Saipan, Guam, the Philippines, and Okinawa.

I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book, but by the end the narrative starts to become a little bland in favor of listing all of the actions of the tank battalions in the Pacific. I wish the author had sought out additional characters of themes to keep the book engaging all the way to the end.

[Travis Vankirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, very detailed and comprehensive. Some think that it bogs down in the details but I personally don't mind. It makes a good referance.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two words that best describe this book are 1) repetitive and 2) boring. This was one of those books that had me looking at the number of pages remaining until it was finished, long before I had reached the halfway point.

Still, the book is informative on its subject - the history of U.S. Army tank battalions that fought in the Pacific theater. It recounts pretty much every involvement of every tank battalion, and therein lies part of the problem. Starting in the Philippines in 1941 and ending on Okinawa in 1945, the stories of each tank battalion's involvement run together in a seemingly endless stream of muddy trails, treacherous terrain, land mines, satchel charges, etc. While complete, there simply isn't much to differentiate combat on New Guinea, Saipan, etc. Instead, each battle reads like the same events, over and over.

My advice: find this book in a library.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's not kidding when he calls it a combat history of the U.S. Army Tank Battalions in the Pacific in World War Two. It literally describes every engagement in the Pacific theater of operations, and because of this the book tends to bog down a bit with information. Still, it's a interesting read and I did learn a lot about MacArthur's lack of readiness that doomed the U.S. forces in the Philippines in 1941.

[Austin Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books that I have read. Its is very detailed. I learned a lot more about World War Two by reading this book. I didn't know there was so many different tank battalions.