The Battle of the Bismarck Sea

by Michael Veitch

In the thick of World War II, during the first week of March 1943, Japan made a final, desperate lunge for control of the South West Pacific. In the ensuing Battle of the Bismarck Sea, a force of land-based Australian and American planes attacked a massive convoy of Japanese warships. The odds were against them. But a devastating victory was won and Japan's hopes of regaining the initiative in New Guinea destroyed.

More importantly for Australians, the victory decisively removed any possibility that Australia might be invaded by Japanese forces. It was, for us, one of the most significant times in our history - a week when our future was profoundly in the balance.

Bestselling author Michael Veitch tells the riveting story of this crucial moment in history - how the bravery of young men and experienced fighters, renegades and rule-followers, overcame some of the darkest days of World War II.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military History, World War II, History, Aviation, War

352 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2022

About the author

Michael Veitch spent much of his youth writing and performing in television sketch comedy programs, before freelancing as a columnist and arts reviewer for newspapers and magazines. For four years he presented Sunday Arts, the national arts show on ABC television, and produced two books indulging his life-long interest in the aircraft of the Second World War, Flak and Fly. He lives in Hobart, where he presents ABC radio.

Books:
Hailing from a family of journalists, Veitch wrote Flak – True stories from the men who flew in World War II published in 2006 by Pan Macmillan and later, Fly: True stories of courage and adventure from the airmen of World War II published by Penguin Australia in August 2008. A third book, The Forgotten Islands, exploring the lesser-known islands of Bass Strait, was published by Penguin Australia in August 2011.

Further publications include a history of the CSIRO marine exploration vessel, Southern Surveyor will be released in late 2015 (CSIRO Publishing) and a further volume of Second World War airman stories, which will also be published late 2015 (Penguin Books).

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle of the Bismarck Sea is, for me at least, one of the lesser known battles in the Southwest Pacific. However apparently it lives on in Australian folklore as one of the turning points of the New Guinean campaign and rightly so: the Battle of the Bismarck Sea was a blow to the Japanese from which they would never recover. In which the RAAF played a major part.

Michael Veitch paints a vivid description of the battle and key characters. It starts of with the arrival of general Kenney, who proved to skeptics the tremendous value of Air Force tactical support of ground and naval forces, demonstrating the new technique of skip bombing, to the pain of the enemy. Paul Gunn, nicknamed 'Pappy Gunn' transformed Douglas A-20 Havocs into strafers by adding four .50-caliber machine guns to their noses. Together with RAAF air commodore William "Bill" Garin they devised the new tactic of skip-bombing and strafing.

After the defeat at Guadalcanal, the Japanese decided to send a convoy to Wau (New Guinea) to reinforce the Japanese forces there. The RAAF and US 5th Airforce decided to stop them. What resulted was the battle of the Bismarck Sea, where the Japanese convoy got annihilated. All brilliantly told in this book from Michael Veitch, which leaves you wanting more.

[Spad53 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle of the Bismarck Sea is not very well known, and I certainly had a lot of misconceptions about it. I hadn’t understood that it was basically a ship convoy destroyed by airpower.
So the US Navy didn’t participate at all, thus no interest there, MacArthur wasn’t very much involved, so he seems to have ignored it. It was the US Air force and the Australian Airforce who won the battle , I’ve read about Pappy Gunn and the introduction of skip bombing to the USAAF, but never found a good book about it, this book fixes that. I learnt a lot, it was the British who invented skip bombing and Australian Beaufighters that led the raid, something the RAAF never got enough credit for. To be honest I’m not sure the Australians or the US Air force want to talk about it, read the book for those reasons.
All in all an excellent book about a surprisingly little known battle, and a major turning point of the war in New Guinea.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute ripper. This is my kind of book. Michael Veitch writes in an informative and easy to read style. The regret is that I finished the book so quickly, but it was so good that I wanted it to last longer, which is a problem I have had since I was a small boy. World War 2 and fighter aircraft have been subjects that have always drawn me and the New Guinea campaign, when Australia was fighting for its life against the Japanese, is a subject I have also been interested in, and this book is the top of the tree. I found that Michael Veitch's comments about General Douglas McArthur were frank and illuminating and although there had always been hints and suggestions about his narcissistic personality disorder, no one had spelt it out for me before. I loved this book and heartily recommend it.

[Peter Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st’ly, I will admit to being appreciative of the authors style, prose and delivery, as I have found his works to be balanced, accessible and well researched. An “Australianness” in his writing is also appreciated and respected, as he is at times blunt, to-the-point in his opinions and thoughts and is a straight talker (or writer as the case may be).

And he again so here. Issues, mistakes, stupidity, idiocy and just sheer politically motivated pettiness are called out, spelled out and clearly presented. He also has a few home truths when observing the Japanese actions and decisions.

As it says on the tin, this is the recounting of a battle oft forgotten or with a very low profile within the Pacific theatre of war in 1943. It represents one of the most far reaching outcomes that effected the theatre during and after the event, and was fought predominately by the respective air forces of American Army and the Australian Air Force. It is an important event that, thankfully, is recognised in a respectful and balance manner by this work, which in turn rightly recognises several other works referenced by the author.

For anyone who holds and interest in Australian military history, the history of the Pacific war of 1941-45 or is looking for an engaging and noncomplex or assessment based work, I would recommend that you pick up this work and give it a far go. I for one was not in any form disappointed.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Michael Veitch has written an fascinating, well researched book about the war in the Pacific during WWII. The book is easy to read and the way he has set up the story will keep you engaged. First you are introduced to the people involved and then led through events. In March 1943 the Japanese sent a large convoy of warships to New Guinea. This is the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, and it is told well. Highly recommended if you love Australia history.

[Gaye Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book. The author has a good reputation but I found it hard going for several reasons.

I don't know who the audience of this book is meant to be. There is a lot of technical information about the aircraft that goes over the head of readers new to aerial combat. The text is written in a conversational style at odd times, which is disconcerting.

There needed to be more than one map. The one provided is woefully inadequate.

The timelines are not always easy to follow.

I hated that the author used the 'this would happen' construction when 'this happened' was meant. Why didn't the editor pick this up?

The author put his own biases into the text. For instance, he talked about the 'magnificent Beaufighter' and other opinions. Why?

The early chapters were all over the place and the reader had no way of knowing how the events and people discussed in the first two parts of the book were involved in the Bismarck Sea battle, which is only described in Part III.

My biggest beef with this book is that there were no references. Yes, there's a sketchy bibliography at the back but there are also a lot of direct quotes that are not attributed. This makes it impossible to check the references and read further. As a trained historian, this drives me nuts. This lack, for me, puts the book on a par with Peter FitzSimons' books, which I refuse to read for similar reasons.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Veitch has developed a habit of writing about otherwise obscure events in Australian history. He’s particularly fond of topics that involve ships or World War II aeroplanes. He must have enjoyed writing this latest book, because it’s crammed full of both. In March 1943, the Japanese were making a last-ditch attempt to control New Guinea and, from there, be able to harass the Allied forces assembled in Australia. The battle took place over three days as a convoy of ships, crowded with thousands of Japanese troops, was sailing south to restock their base at Lae. The ships were met by RAAF and US Air Force planes, scrambled from Australian airfields. Veitch’s obvious passion for the technology of the time, and ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, again shines through. The result is a relaxing read that is part ripping yarn and part historical record.

[Charles Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who like reading about history and the Second World War I think you'll learn a lot. The Battle of the Bismarck Sea is not known to many...certainly not as well known as Midway or one of the island battles such as Guadicanal or Iwo Jima. The attack on what was for the Japanese a critical shipping convoy involve aviators from the U.S. and Australia. Like my uncle, they were stationed in New Guinea, a place of disease and unbearable heat. My uncle, First Lt. Charles Lewis, earned a Silver Star. He was a navigator and when the waist gunner was wounded he took over, knocking down a few Japanese fighters. He was wounded himself but survived. Unfortunately a few missions later he was killed at the too young age of 23.

[Andy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's strongest book to date. If you've followed him from the days of 'Flak' and 'Fly', you'll know what I mean. The depth or research is greater and very evident, even compared to his more recent '44 Days' (I have still to read the later still 'Turning Point), and includes some sources I don't think have been heavily used for previous books on the subject. His love for the Beaufighter and its crews, in particular, is cleat, but he stops short of waxing lyrical about the machine, maintaining the focus on the human element and the amazing, sobering things they had to do. Definitely not the first book on the battle, but easily the most accessible.

[Kev Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Michael Vietch has researched and written a very readable book on the not so well known battles of World war II in the Pacific. His research during which he finds interesting anecdotes on individuals and then winds this information into his narrative of the Battle makes the book into a very interesting read. He also gives credit where it is due to the American and Australian participants and the narrative therefore is very balanced. He has excelled himself this time by including the experiences of the Japanese servicemen who survived thus giving another side to the story.
This book is very well-written, flows well and is not too long or into detail that it becomes boring. I couldn't 'put it down'. If you enjoy this genre and like the Australian perspective to be included fairly, this book is for you. For me 5 Stars.

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, engaging book.

Before picking up this book, I had never heard of this particular battle and as an Australian, I am mighty glad that our Aussie pilots and their American mates put their lives on the line for us.

The author has a way of describing people and places which draws you in and I certainly thoroughly enjoyed his account.

5 stars from me.

[sue young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written account of both allied airforces during this battle. The failings of the higher command are well documented as are the reasons the Australian effort was never recognised by McArthur. It took until the Korean War for the US to realise they had a problem child on their hands.
Thank you Michael you have done the unrecognised serviceman proud.

[Josh Gidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it would be a beauty and it is; Veitch's story telling ability is superb. He has strong opinions about certain individuals and some may not like that, but this is a terrific read which makes great use of sources.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable book that brings an important but neglected part of Australian history to life.