Crisis in the Pacific

Gerald Astor is an outstanding author of oral history books on World War II, and this is another fine effort of his. Thoroughly informative and thought provoking book, makes me thankful that the pilots, soldiers, and sailors were willing to undergo such tremendous hardships to purchase the freedom we enjoy today. May we never take it for granted!

What do you know about the Battle for the Philippines? Like most, you probably know that: 1) The Japanese invaded, 2) There were intense defensive delaying actions fought at Bataan and Corregidor, 3) MacArthur escaped vowing "I shall return!" 4) Captured survivors suffered greatly in their forced march from Bataan, and 5) Later, MacArthur did triumphantly return and everyone lived happily ever after. But there's much more to this battle than all that. Read about how MacArthur altered the defense plan for the archipelago from the original US plan and why he did so. See how the Imperial Japanese Navy almost dealt a blow to the US Naval Task Force. Learn why MacArthur was portrayed in the limelight (it wasn't personal vanity as some might think). But most of all, experience the bitter conflict through the eyes of the men who made it possible, and also paid for it. Astor's work is very readable, informative, and entertaining.

Excellent review of the war in the pacific. This story is long overdue. Hats off to Mr. Astor for the way he intermingled history with the personal stories of the courageous men and women who endured, fought and overcame an extremely vicious enemy. Anyone who had a family member in the pacific during WWII should read this book! Thank you Mr. Astor for a job well done!

Another great effort by Gerald Astor, this time he offers the reader an oral history of the fighting in the Philippines during WW2. The author draws his narrative from the experiences of American Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen and covers the first and second campaigns conducted in the Philippines during the war. The book provides an interesting and detailed insight into the experiences of the common soldier and helps those who have never experienced such things an understanding why men do certain things. An enjoyable and easy to read account of a WW2 campaign.

The 32 nd Div had 654 days of combat the longest of any Division. It is nice to see our story told.