Savage Skies, Emerald Hell

The U.S., Australia, Japan and the Ferocious Air Battle for New Guinea in World War II

By: Jay A. Stout

Narrated by: Rich Miller

While the Marine Corps island-hopped across the Pacific from Guadalcanal to Saipan to Iwo Jima, the U.S. Army was locked in a grueling, multiyear fight for the jungle island of New Guinea, which in Japanese hands threatened both Australia and the vital supply lines stretching to the United States. Forces under Douglas MacArthur intended to deny the Japanese this opportunity and use New Guinea as a stepping stone on the road back to the Philippines and, beyond it, Japan. A critical component of that campaign was waged in the air, where American pilots supported ground troops and took the battle to the Japanese in scattered villages and beaches, along the way fighting not only the Japanese, but also the dangers of the island's mountainous terrain and thick jungles, the weather, and the surrounding ocean.

Savage Skies, Emerald Hell is the story of the stirring and terrible air combat that made winning the fight for New Guinea possible. It includes accounts from fighter, bomber, and transport crews and places their actions within the broader context of strategy and tactics, also providing descriptions of equipment and the experiences of the mechanics and support men who made it all possible. It is a riveting narrative of World War II in the air, combining deep primary research and Jay Stout's personal experience as a fighter pilot.

©2024 Jay A. Stout (P)2024 Tantor Media

Another homerun from Jay Stout!

Great use of wartime, diaries, and firsthand battle reports. Stout is the premier WW2 aviation historian.

Lack of Accents

Everything about the book is good except for the narration.

No matter where the subject is from (UK/AUS/NZ etc.) it is read with an American accent. It takes a bit away from the book when you have to recall if the person referred to is an American or not.

I like Stout's writing though.