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Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in World War II #3
Pacific Express: The Critical Role of Military Logistics in World War II
Under one cover, an edited collection of the best works by noted military historians on the importance of military logistics in World War II.
*** PACIFIC EXPRESS IS ON THE MARINE CORPS COMMANDANT'S PROFESSIONAL READING LIST FOR LOGISTICS FOR ALL OFFICER AND ENLISTED MARINES, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY OR RESERVE. ***
In PACIFIC EXPRESS, award-winning World War II military historian William L. McGee acts as editor gathering together the best writings on military logistics in WWII.
Consider this: In World War II, 16.1 million men and women served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For every individual who served in combat, ten individuals served in a support role.
McGee profiles many of the major components of the “Pacific express”:
* U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Marine Corps Engineers - who built the Advance Bases.
* U.S. Navy crews - who manned the amphibious force and Fleet’s floating mobile Service Squadrons throughout the vast reaches of the Pacific.
* U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Naval Armed Guard - who manned and defended the thousands of War Shipping Administration cargo ships, transports, and tankers to “Deliver the goods!”
* U.S. Army and civilian (civil service) Transportation Corps personnel - who operated most of the Army’s large and small vessels, but were seldom covered by the consumer-oriented media during WWII.
* U.S. Coast Guardsmen - who manned hundreds of U.S. Army and Navy long-haul vessels and thousands of battle-loaded amphibious landing ships and craft.
IN THE AUTHOR'S WORDS
“I’ve dedicated PACIFIC EXPRESS to the men and women – military and civilian – who served in logistical support roles for the front line combat personnel in WWII. The story of the vital logistics services supporting the U.S. Armed Forces operating in the Pacific is told - proof positive that warfare is not all blazing combat.” –William L. McGee
560 pp, 111 b&w photos, 7 maps, 21 figures/tables/charts, appendix, notes, bibliography, index, Paperback 6" x 9"
OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES
Vol. I, THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING! Emergence of the 'Gator Navy and its Revolutionary Landing Craft
Vol. II, THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS, 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville, Pacific War Turning Point
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING …
■ A very polished and professional volume covering a major and relatively unheralded part of World War II … I’m sure the author will receive widespread acclaim for providing the quality and quantity of naval history in PACIFIC EXPRESS.
–David H. Grover, CDR USNR (Ret), and author of "U.S. Army Ships and Watercraft of World War II"
■ Bill McGee’s account of amphibious operations in the Pacific and of the supply effort needed to support all operations there is meticulously researched and told with the skill of a born storyteller. PACIFIC EXPRESS and the other volumes in the series will make a proud addition to anyone’s library.
-Gordon Smith, Chairman, Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum
■ The editors have woven historical facts with firsthand accounts to create a behind-the-scenes look at military logistics in World War II.
—C.A. Lloyd, Chairman, USN Armed Guard Veterans Association WWII
■ Besides providing statistics, Bill McGee provides a personal touch with interviews and references to persons who were actually there.
-Jim Higman, Merchant Marine Engineer (Ret) and editor of "California Central Coast U.S. Navy Armed Guard & Merchant Marine Vets WWII"
■ Bill McGee hits another home run with PACIFIC EXPRESS. My time served in the South Pacific in WWII springs to life as I hear the bow doors open and the ramp fall on Pacific soil … Reading this book brings back memories and tears to this eighty-plus year old LSM sailor.
-Royce N. McNeill, USS LSM-LSMR Association
■ With PACIFIC EXPRESS, Bill McGee secures his title of “Godfather of amphibious operations history.” This Volume III in his series anchors Volumes I and II as essential reading and reference for military history.
–Joe Flynn, California Director and Member National Board, USS LCI National Association
■ Although about WWII, much of what is written in PACIFIC EXPRESS applied when I served on the USS HELENA (CA-75) during the Korean War and afterward. Bill McGee does a through job of explaining military logistics in ways we can understand.
-Dave Brouchoud, USS Helena (CA-75), Jan 1952–May 1955
■ Just finished reading Bill McGee’s third volume in his Amphibious Operations series and it certainly passes inspection.
–Ron Swanson, Editor, Flotilla, LCT Flotillas of World War II
*** PACIFIC EXPRESS IS ON THE MARINE CORPS COMMANDANT'S PROFESSIONAL READING LIST FOR LOGISTICS FOR ALL OFFICER AND ENLISTED MARINES, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY OR RESERVE. ***
In PACIFIC EXPRESS, award-winning World War II military historian William L. McGee acts as editor gathering together the best writings on military logistics in WWII.
Consider this: In World War II, 16.1 million men and women served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For every individual who served in combat, ten individuals served in a support role.
McGee profiles many of the major components of the “Pacific express”:
* U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Marine Corps Engineers - who built the Advance Bases.
* U.S. Navy crews - who manned the amphibious force and Fleet’s floating mobile Service Squadrons throughout the vast reaches of the Pacific.
* U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Naval Armed Guard - who manned and defended the thousands of War Shipping Administration cargo ships, transports, and tankers to “Deliver the goods!”
* U.S. Army and civilian (civil service) Transportation Corps personnel - who operated most of the Army’s large and small vessels, but were seldom covered by the consumer-oriented media during WWII.
* U.S. Coast Guardsmen - who manned hundreds of U.S. Army and Navy long-haul vessels and thousands of battle-loaded amphibious landing ships and craft.
IN THE AUTHOR'S WORDS
“I’ve dedicated PACIFIC EXPRESS to the men and women – military and civilian – who served in logistical support roles for the front line combat personnel in WWII. The story of the vital logistics services supporting the U.S. Armed Forces operating in the Pacific is told - proof positive that warfare is not all blazing combat.” –William L. McGee
560 pp, 111 b&w photos, 7 maps, 21 figures/tables/charts, appendix, notes, bibliography, index, Paperback 6" x 9"
OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES
Vol. I, THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING! Emergence of the 'Gator Navy and its Revolutionary Landing Craft
Vol. II, THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS, 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville, Pacific War Turning Point
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING …
■ A very polished and professional volume covering a major and relatively unheralded part of World War II … I’m sure the author will receive widespread acclaim for providing the quality and quantity of naval history in PACIFIC EXPRESS.
–David H. Grover, CDR USNR (Ret), and author of "U.S. Army Ships and Watercraft of World War II"
■ Bill McGee’s account of amphibious operations in the Pacific and of the supply effort needed to support all operations there is meticulously researched and told with the skill of a born storyteller. PACIFIC EXPRESS and the other volumes in the series will make a proud addition to anyone’s library.
-Gordon Smith, Chairman, Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum
■ The editors have woven historical facts with firsthand accounts to create a behind-the-scenes look at military logistics in World War II.
—C.A. Lloyd, Chairman, USN Armed Guard Veterans Association WWII
■ Besides providing statistics, Bill McGee provides a personal touch with interviews and references to persons who were actually there.
-Jim Higman, Merchant Marine Engineer (Ret) and editor of "California Central Coast U.S. Navy Armed Guard & Merchant Marine Vets WWII"
■ Bill McGee hits another home run with PACIFIC EXPRESS. My time served in the South Pacific in WWII springs to life as I hear the bow doors open and the ramp fall on Pacific soil … Reading this book brings back memories and tears to this eighty-plus year old LSM sailor.
-Royce N. McNeill, USS LSM-LSMR Association
■ With PACIFIC EXPRESS, Bill McGee secures his title of “Godfather of amphibious operations history.” This Volume III in his series anchors Volumes I and II as essential reading and reference for military history.
–Joe Flynn, California Director and Member National Board, USS LCI National Association
■ Although about WWII, much of what is written in PACIFIC EXPRESS applied when I served on the USS HELENA (CA-75) during the Korean War and afterward. Bill McGee does a through job of explaining military logistics in ways we can understand.
-Dave Brouchoud, USS Helena (CA-75), Jan 1952–May 1955
■ Just finished reading Bill McGee’s third volume in his Amphibious Operations series and it certainly passes inspection.
–Ron Swanson, Editor, Flotilla, LCT Flotillas of World War II
- GenresWorld War II
560 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
William L. McGee
20 books23 followersWilliam L. "Bill" McGee writes about the history of which he was a part... whether it’s growing up in Montana during the hardscrabble years of the Depression, or joining the Navy in 1942 at age seventeen to get into the fight, or cowboying on an exclusive divorce ranch in Nevada in the postwar ’40s, or working in broadcasting in the early days of 1950s and ’60s television.
During his 32-year career in broadcast marketing and sales, McGee honed his writing skills in radio and television. His writing style is described as straightforward, journalistic, and as “precise and economical as a Mickey Spillane novel.” (Marine Corps League Magazine)
During his 32-year career in broadcast marketing and sales, McGee honed his writing skills in radio and television. His writing style is described as straightforward, journalistic, and as “precise and economical as a Mickey Spillane novel.” (Marine Corps League Magazine)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 19, 2024
This is a collection of excerpts from other books or government documents or records so it is primary research information from the people who were there, it is not a work of detailed analysis. It recounts the vital work of the all the units who supplied the combat forces. Their incredible success is a testament to American organization and manufacturing prowess. For libraries and those really interested in the Pacific War, not the general reader.
Displaying 1 of 1 review