Customer Reviews

B-29 Hunters of the JAAF (Osprey Aviation Elite 5)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has some outstanding strong points. There's a fair overview of the B-29 bombing campaign as opposed by JAAF home defense interceptors. Problems faced by both sides in mounting effective air operations are made clear. And it must be appreciated that any solid historical information from the Japanese side (in English) is an accomplishment. This factor comes out in the stories of selected missions. In these, the heart of the text, the authors have pulled together a wondrous array of sources from both sides, to include commentary by combat participants. This excitement for an armchair historian is amplified by photo illustrations specific to the event discussed in the text. So on the same page opening, good reading becomes memorable by pertinent illustration, some of which are astounding. Hats off to the authors' research skills.

Now, why don't I rate the book 5 stars. It IS an unexpected gift of fine information. But I've got second thoughts. The title is "B-29 Hunters ..." and I'd expected more on total JAAF ops. However, info from the Japanese side heavily focusses on aerial rammings. (Where it can be learned that rammings could be suicidal, or skilled pilots could not only survive but sometimes return with their fighter plane!) As a result of this focus, for example, the relative importance of ramming tactics are not compared to conventional gunfire in terms of B-29s brought down. Readers do not get what might be expected from the title, broader coverage of the JAAF in home defense.

Then, as is typical with Osprey's Elite series, a goodly number of color art profiles are re-cycled from prior publications in the Ace series, in this case, virtually all relevant profiles from the JAAF Aces book. Of course, it was refreshing to see those specially created for this volume.

Also, while an attempt is made to convey good information in the art captions, I found some confusion. Specifically, one caption states the Ki 44 was "quite suited for attacking B-29s," another refers to reduced performance problems when combat loaded. Still in another, Ki 44s became "near useless." Meanwhile, two art profiles show Ki 44 ace planes with multiple B-29 kill markings.

That's why 4 stars. All in all, however, with so much good work by the authors, this one's a real keeper.

An excellent book detailing the troubles Japan experienced defending against the high-flying B-29's. Trying everything from dropping bombs upon the bomber formations to heavy cannon armament, the Japanese finally resorted to ramming tactics.
An "iffy" proposition at best and survival of the volunteer pilots was possible. At least two pilots were credited with two B-29's destroyed and survived the war. There is also a case of a B-29 surviving being rammed twice.
The color plates show a great many different Japanese Army aircraft that participated in this effort.
As a wargamer and modeller, I found this book one of my most useful.

This is a book that leaves you wanting more - in a good way. It's an overview of the B-29 bombing raids over Japan in WW2, the Japanese fighters and air defenses used to try to stop them. What is particularly refreshing is that it comes from the fighter pilots of the Japanese. It is a reminder that the US B-29s were not invinceable, especially in the early part of the raids.

As you would expect with Osprey books, there are many excellent b&w photos and color plates to show the different planes, unit markings, camoflague schemes used. This makes the book great for modelers. The text also gives pilots views of what it was like to face the Superfortress in combat - Daunting. Weapons are reviewed, effectiveness of the planes, tactics. This is where you'd like to see more, because it is so interesting.

I definately recommend this book for aviation buffs and modelers alike. It is a worthwhile purchase for the color plates, the stories of the Japanese pilots and a very good overview of this part of the air war over Japan from 1944-45.

It is my pleasure introduce a review from my friend, Young Ki Moon,
a Korean Military Aviation Researcer,Seoul,Korea.
--It is my great pleasure to review Japanese oriented authers--
very rare situations.I especially delighted toknow author,koji Takaki
who is a"Mania"of military aircraft from primary school ages,seeing
B-29 and otner military aircraft. I am also "Mania"from beging of primary
school with concised Japanese pocket book named "Review of Enemy,US
fighters and bombers" I could see high flying B-29,as small white dot and
trailing vapour below the beautiful, blue sky! I could also find out the
dropped silvery white oval empty fule tannt.As Japanese did,at the
department exhibition, I was excitet with teared flight wears,distorted
engines and other wreacked parts from shot downed B-29 !
Afrer reviewing this book, I disappointed as followings:
There are many methods of destroying enemy bombers especially heavily armed, high flying heavy bombers such as B-29 Superfortress in tight formations included: 1)tactical,usual attack with possesed machine guns
or cannons 2)using special technique(underbelly attacking like oblique
cannon of Ki-45 Toryu. code name-Nick) 3)special bomb-like phosphorous
bombing above on the bomber formations-frequently used by Japanese !
4) Ramming. 5)AAA-may be included.
actually most useful interceter for deffending mainlan was mainly
Ki-44 Shoki. code name:Tojo. 1st Japanese fighter encountering B-29 was
Ki-43 Hayabsa. code name:Oscar on 26,April,1944.
Iwo jima was very important island located between Saipan and Japanese
mainland from which japanese fighter intercepted B-29s,relay air raid attention to mainland,bypassed B-29 fligt resulted in overuse of fuel,
diminishing bombload. in Dec,1944,Japanese attacked Saipan B-29 destroyed
11 and damaged 35 B-29 on the ground(37 Japanese attackers destroyed)
After falling Iwo Jima,B-29 used as emergesy landing air field,aiso
P-51 escort fighter. B-29 routinly bombed Kyushu,mainland for prevention
of Kamikaze attack on Okinawa US fleets.
Strong opponets of B-29 were Ki-84 intercepter,Hyate code name:Frank,
later developed one of world best fighter like P-51,and navy versioned
J2M3 Raiden, code name: Jack. Ki-45 Toryu, code name:Nick twin enginned,
2 seater fighter was most famous day and night fighter.
Generally they pararelly fly underneath the B-29,under the seachlight aid.
attacking with obliqelly setted 2 20mm cannon.
"Ramming"mainly used by Japanese fighters,claiming 102 B-29 were downed.
another reporting from "Luftwaffe Sturmgruppen"-this groupis heavily armed and armoured fighyer group's main purpose is attacking B-17 daylight
bombing group over Germany some ofwhom rarely did volunteered "Ramming
Attack"(Quoted from Osprey's Luftwaffe Sturmgruppen by John Weal,2005)
Total US lost number of B-29 during Japanese mainland bombing is as follow
-ing: B-29 total loss-414(147 by fighter or AAA,) Total Japanese lost 1128
Just after WWII, over 3700 B-29 Superfortress was avilable !
(See refference from Ballentine's History of WWII. by Carl Berger,1970)
!
1) Tactical att
armed ma

Este livro, de uma série da Osprey sobre a Elite da Aviação nas guerras do século XX, trata de um ponto especial.

Durante a ofensiva de bombardeiros americanos sobre o Japão no final da 2ª Guerra Mundial, a utilização do B-29 no começo se mostrou tímida e problemática. Apesar de ser considerado como a Super Fortaleza Voadora, este bombardeiro estava, no início, coberto de problemas (principalmente nos motores), a maioria fruto da sua concepção e fabricação rápida além de incorporar tecnologias muito novas para a época. Porém com a aproximação dos americanos do Japão (tanto pela China quanto pelo Pacífico) logo as cidades japonesas ficaram ao alcance dos aviões americanos que promoveram o início dos ataques estratégicos. Se quiser saber mais sobre este avião, recomendo o livro Boeing B-29 do Steve Pace e publicado pela Crowood.

Um ponto porém permanece obscuro nesta ofensiva aérea: a defesa por parte da aviação japonesa de sua terra natal. E este livro ajuda a compreender o que acontecia nos céus no embate entre caças e bombardeiros. Contudo é importante ressaltar que esta publicação foca mais precisamente em cima dos ataques suicidas dos pilotos japoneses, que deliberadamente jogavam seus caças em cima das Super Fortalezas. Há inclusive o casa de um piloto de bimotor que consegui albaroar e abater dois bombardeiros em uma única investida. Era como se fossem kamikazes dos céus. Porém sem todo o processo ritual já que muitos desses pilotos tentavam atingir os aviões americanos de forma que pudessem sobreviver pulando de pára-quedas.

O fato do livro ser escrito por autores japoneses mostra bem o seu comprometimento em trazer à luz uma história bem fundamentada. Compreender este aspecto da luta nos céus ajuda também a entender o desespero das Forças Armadas Japonesas ao final da guerra e a tentativa dos americanos em levar a guerra total para o interior do país de maneira a forçar sua rendição.