USMC M4A2 Sherman vs Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go

The different national tank doctrines of the United States and Imperial Japan resulted in a terrible mismatch of the predominant tank types in the crucial Central Pacific campaign. A flawed Japanese doctrine emphasized light infantry support tanks, often used in small numbers. Tactically, tanks were often frittered away in armored versions of the familiar banzai attacks. Meanwhile, the Americans saw the tank as an infantry support weapon, but developed a more systematic tactical doctrine. They settled upon a larger medium tank - in the case of most Marine Corps tank battalions, the diesel-powered M4A2 (unwanted by the US Army).

This superbly detailed title reveals how both the two sides' tactical and technical differences in the approach to armored warfare soon became apparent over a series of deadly engagements, from the first tank fight at the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, through to engagements on Parry Island, Saipan, and Guam, before ending with Peleliu in September 1944.

Auteur

A native of southeastern France, Romain V. Cansière has worked in the medicinal plant industry in France and South Africa. He currently works as a crop advisor for a cooperative of essential oil producers. Interested in the history of the US Marine Corps since his teenage years, Romain is the co-author of Tanks in Hell - A Marine Corps Tank Company on Tarawa, winner of the 2016 General Wallace M. Greene Jr. Award for distinguished non-fiction.

Contenu

Introduction
Chronology
The Strategic Situation in Asia and the Pacific
Design and Development: the Influence of National Tank Doctrine
Technical Specifications
The Combatants: Unit Organization
The Pacific Strategies
Combat
Analysis
Aftermath
Bibliography
Index