Philippines 1941-42: America's disastrous start to the Pacific War

The weeks after Pearl Harbor saw Japan destroy the well-prepared US air forces in the Philippines. Fully illustrated, this studies the Pacific War's little-known first major air campaign.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese not only attacked Pearl Harbor,but also struck at US and allied bases throughout the Pacific, including the USA's biggest overseas territory, the Philippines. However, that was an air battle the US was expecting. The USAAF had beefed up its assets in the Philippines, sendin...