Kawanishi H6K ‘Mavis’ and H8K ‘Emily’ Units cover

Description

An illustrated account of the little-known operations of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's flying boat units during World War 2.

Respectively codenamed the 'Mavis' and 'Emily' by the Allies, Japan's H6K and H8K flying boats outstripped their RAF and US Navy counterparts. The 1941 outbreak of war in the Pacific and Southeast Asia saw these remarkable aircraft carry out offensive missions across vast tracts of ocean and employ their unique capabilities to escort convoys and serve as transports between Japan's island bases. However, while the technical details of the H6K and H8K are well known in the West, this important new study marks the first English-language account of their wartime operations.

Utilizing newly translated Japanese war diaries, as well as Allied intelligence and combat reports, celebrated Pacific War expert Edward M. Young reveals the full story behind the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's flying boat units. Contemporary photos and 22 colour profiles bring new dimensions to this fascinating area of Japanese military history, vividly illustrating the pivotal roles of 'Emily' and 'Mavis' in events including the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway and the fighting in the Aleutians and the Bismarck and Solomon Islands.

Table of Contents

(Subject to confirmation)
1. Maritime Patrol Aviation in the IJNAF
2. Flying Boat Units in Phase One Operations (8 December 1941 to April 1942)
3. Flying Boat Units in Phase Two Operations (April 1942 to April 1943)
4. Defending the Defensive Barrier (April 1943 to June 1944)
5. Final Defense of Japan (August 1944 to August 1945)

Product details

Published 15 Aug 2024
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472860644
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Colour artwork plates and maps; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations.
Series Combat Aircraft
Short code COM 153
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Edward M. Young

Edward M. Young is a retired financial executive w…

Illustrator

Gareth Hector

Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

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