Osprey Publishing

USN Cruiser vs IJN Cruiser Guadalcanal 1942

by  Mark Stille

Reviewed By  Ned Ricks, IPMS# 36013

MSRP: $17.95 ISBN: 9781846034664 Website: www.ospreypublishing.com Osprey Publishing presents us with book number 22 in their "Duel" series, which describes match-ups of machines and combatants in significant and famous battlefield conflicts. In this volume, it is the respective navies' cruisers during the early battles of the Pacific War around the Solomon Islands. Detailed narrative is provided of the Battle of Savo Island and the Battle of Cape Esperance. Author Mark O. Stille, Commander, USN (Ret), gives the reader substantive background as to the "why" of the existing equipment when the war started. He explores at a general, but cogent, level the results of various naval armaments treaties limiting construction of warships and of the results of the US Navy's adherence to those treaties while Japan did not. The training of the pre-war navies' crews is also reviewed. CDR Stille then takes us through two engagements with the lessons-learned from each. He provides encapsulated biographies of the two opposing admirals, Japanese and US. In the concluding chapters, we get a statistical analysis of the battles and a summary of what happened to the combatants. To my eyes, the pre-war cruisers were some of the most attractive ships ever. (But then, I also like the "yellow-wing" aircraft of the same period.) This book does not disappoint in detailed descriptions and contemporary black and white photos of the various classes of these scouts for the fleet. There are also several beautifully rendered color plates of artist's depictions at various stages of the covered battles. The illustrators are the well known Howard Gerrard and Paul Wright From this modeler's perspective, I recommend this book. "Thanks" go to Osprey Publishing for providing the review copy and to IPMS USA for the chance to read it and comment.