ePub Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruisers 1941–45 (New Vanguard) by Mark Stille in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Covers a lot in a short book.By Stone DogMark Stille's "Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruisers 1941-45" is an ambitious attempt to chronicle the Japanese Navy's classes of heavy cruisers - a class of warship the Japanese put much resources into in the interwar period.The author begins by stating the IJN's strategy regarding it's use of heavy cruisers against what Japan had identified as its future enemy - the United States. The interwar naval treaties are addressed and the effects they had on Japanese ship design and intentions. The author also covers the compromises the Japanese were willing to accept in their ship designs.The author covers each class and the ships within that class; expounding on the dimensions; displacement; speed; armament; armor as well as the number of ships in that class and a short list of wartime service. And here's the weak spot of the book. Because the author is trying to cover such a large number of ships and give their specs; he's unable to give the reader more than a thumbnail view of each class of ship. You really don't get a feel for their effectiveness in combat.Given that the author has only a certain amount of space to work with; this is somewhat understandable and I only penalize this Osprey book by one star. Otherwise; it does a good job of introducing the reader to Japanese heavy cruisers and how they were armed and armored. It's a short primer on the subject that does a decent job of introducing the reader to this class of weapon the Japanese felt was important to their naval strategy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Full speed ahead!By InsaneoEach Mark Stille and Paul Wright collaboration provides the enthusiast with an extremely well-organized; concise and visually appealing summary of a historically significant class or classes of warships. Stille's lucid writing and Wright's fine artwork consistently place their entries among the best in the New Vanguard series.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. It is what it is...By PDGiven the format limitations of the New Vanguard series; the book gives a concise and efficient description of the objectives; design theory; and class histories for the IJN's heavy cruisers shortly before and during the Second World War. Commander Stille continues his series regarding the IJN's weaponry employed and related campaigns across the Pacific.Copiously illustrated with many rarely seen photographs of the ships comprising the five classes; with prewar and wartime configurations presented throughout. A fair description is given to the Japanese' early superiority of tactics and equipment; together with their eventual proven technical shortcomings as the war progressed.Could the book have been five hundred pages longer? Absolutely; the topic certainly would support it. However; if one is looking for a tight description of the equipment and tactics that led to the IJN's early successes in surface actions versus the US Navy and her allies; followed by the developments that led to its demise; here you go.Buy the book; buy the series.