Hurricane at Biak: MacArthur Against the Japanese, May - August 1944 [Hardcover]

Marc D. Bernstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2000

In late May 1944, troops of General Douglas MacArthur's Hurricane Task Force invaded the island of Biak, off the northwest coast of New Guinea. Over the following weeks, they waged a desperate fight against a fanatical enemy bent on annihilation. This is the story of that battle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marc D. Bernstein is a professional researcher and writer specializing in modern U.S. military history. He holds advanced degrees in history, law and business and is a member of the Society for Military History. He has written for Naval History, Naval Aviation News, and other publications. His principal areas of interest include World War II in the Pacific, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 188 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corporation; 1 edition (June 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738818402
• ISBN-13: 978-0738818405
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For military history students and World War II buffs, March 10, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hurricane at Biak: MacArthur Against the Japanese, May - August 1944 (Paperback)

Biak Island, off the northwest coast of New Guinea, was the site of one of the bloodiest battles fought by American troops against the Japanese in World War II. In the spring of 1944, the Japanese Imperial Navy held Biak as their most important island in the Pacific. MacArthur needed its airfields in order to continue his advance towards the Phillippines. The Japanese had 12,00 defenders on Biak, dug in and ready to fight to the last man. Casualties were heavy on both sides. Highly recommended for military history students and World War II buffs, Marc Bernstine's Hurricane At Biak: Macarthur Against The Japanese, May - August 1944 is a vivid, comprehensive reconstruction of that horrific campaign and an invaluable contribution to World War II studies.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MacArthur's rash judgement, poor intelligence cost US casualties, November 25, 2009

By 

Dave Schranck "Dave" (Anaheim Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hurricane at Biak: MacArthur Against the Japanese, May - August 1944 (Hardcover)

MacArthur was in a hurry to get back to the Philippines to fulfill a promise and he needed Biak's airfields to give air cover for the Philippine invasion but he underestimated the strength of the Japanese garrison, rejecting Ultra estimates, and the enemy's determination to defend the island. His plans for the invasion were poor, relying on luck that his forces will hit the beaches without much resistance. After the tough time the Allies had in New Guinea and especially in the Buna sector, it was just carelessness to go in unprepared. The situation became worse with MacArthur's denial of the slow progress of the battle, delaying the sending in of reinforcements. The campaign to secure the island took over two months and played havoc with MacArthur's schedule for Peleliu and the Philippines
Even by 1944, the Japanese still believed that a well orchestrated plan like A-Go could defeat the Allies and they needed to hold Biak long enough to get their forces ready for Plan A-Go in the Philippines. The Biak garrison held the island until mid August and gave Japan the time to prepare their all or nothing offensive. The author also mentions the conflict for the Marianas and the Battle for the Philippine Sea to help the reader understand other developments that were occurring while Biak was contested.
The author first provides a quick summary of the Allied progress up to early 1944 before leading into a general purpose account of the battle that gives the reader a basic understanding of the events on the island, offshore and in the air as well as the thinking that was generated from the perspective HQs. The author also supplies first hand accounts (especially of Lt General Eichelberger) of soldiers from both sides of their experiences while fighting.
I gave the book four stars for two basic reasons. First, the tactical coverage is too general and incomplete. Secondly, there are no photos and the few maps provided are poor and of little use. There are extensive Notes and a helpful Bibliography and Index. This small but important battle for this small island northwest of New Guinea was for MacArthur a stepping stone between New Guinea and the Philippines and any serious student of WWII should be aware of it and this credible story delivers the basics.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Known Battle of Great Importance, January 10, 2008

By 

Steven George Bustin (Novato, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hurricane at Biak: MacArthur Against the Japanese, May - August 1944 (Paperback)

Biak could have been a disaster and featured fierce fighting and great bravery and initiative among US forces. Intelligence underestimated (surprise!) the strength of the Japanese garrison and their tenacity (many were veterans of the tough China campaigns)as well as Japanese naval forces operating in or near Biak. MzcArthur was determined to take Biak as another stepping stone to an eventual Japanese invasion, and did, but things could have turned out badly for the General and the American forces.Author Bernstein did an excellent job on the research as you would expect a professional researcher to do. He has a direct and "reporting" writing style which may be an issue for the casual reader. But for anyone truly interested in WWII, especially the Pacific Theater, this is an excellent read. Highly recommended.
Steven Bustin, Author: Humble Heroes, How The USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII Humble Heroes: How the USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII