Racing the Sunrise: Reinforcing America’s Pacific Outposts, 1941-1942

by Glen M. Williford

Glen Williford lends new insight to the reasons for America's relatively quick comeback from the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the first time, he tells the complete story of American efforts to build and reinforce its Pacific garrisons in the Philippines and Hawaii during the six months prior to the war and to supply Bataan and Corregidor in early 1942. One effort involved a carefully organized convoy and air ferry routes that were reaching their heights in December 1941. The author fully describes the reinforcement efforts in the context of both the existing military strategies and the realities and physical limits of America's defense capabilities at the time. It concludes with an examination of the transition from the desperate defensive efforts to protect lines of communication to Australia and build a major base there to using these assets to resume the offensive.

Genres: Military History

415 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2010

Reviews

[Steven Jorgenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. I've read many books on WW II in the Pacific and sure did not expect to see a book with this subject matter covered. The reinforcing by the US before we were actually in WW II is not news today. The author concludes the book by stating that without this reinforcing which became a supply train after our entry into WW II our victory may not have happened at Guadalcanal. Supplies and men were diverted to Australia. That helped a lot since Australia was closer to the theater of operations-in this case Guadalcanal.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book examines the U.S. military position in the Pacific prior to and just after Pearl Harbor. The author's research is highly detailed, down to giving the details of every convoy made to the various American territories and possessions in the Pacific, both in the uncertain months leading up to the beginning of hostilities, and in the somewhat desperate time just after Pearl Harbor where it seemed there were threats everywhere and not nearly enough resources to go around. A valuable resource for those interested in the '41-'42 period in the Pacific war.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much good detail on a little-known part of the war. The continuation into the first quarter of 1942 is valuable, as well. The author is able to include ship or convoy details such as: names of ships, units and cargo embarked, with sailing and arrival dates.

[Gary Pearson]

Fills a long neglected hole in the history of our early involvement in the Pacific War. Lots of balls were in the air at the time of Pearl Harbor.