The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman
1962  / 511 pgs. History/Military and War

The Guns of August is a historical masterpiece!  While I was reading, I never wondered how much longer I have to go or when it is going to end.  I just wanted to read more without looking up the key players to discover what happens to them.

The Guns of August is about the first and most critical month of World War One.  It starts with a narrative of events before the war—specifically, the planning of operations and treaties that were signed between nations before the conflict.  Also, very fascinatingly, the joint planning between the British and French military for contingency plans in case Germany attacked France through Belgium.  The riveting detail was these plans were started in early 1900’s.  Also, both the French and British planners understood the critical need for a combined commander of all forces on the Allied side if hostilities started.  Yet, in the first critical month, the BEF Commander in Chief refused to allow the BEF to fall under the French leadership of Joffe.

The assignation of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by the Black Hand, the single event that changes the face of Europe and power in the world, is just mentioned briefly in the book.  The month that all the critical decisions that led to the war’s start are a simple sentence.  If you are hoping for details about that month, this is not the narrative to read.  The focus of this narrative is the first month of the war.

After Austria declares war on Serbia, the main focus turns to the French and German military’s execution of Plan 17 and the Schlieffen plan.  How the Joffe’s refusal of deviation of Plan 17 even when the situation called for moving of forces to counter the German offensive. Molke’s changes to the Schlieffen offensive before the conflict. His melancholy during August and the lack of secure communication that would play critical roles in the German offensive that would prevent the Schlieffen plan from being executed and even a complete German victory within just over a month. 

Overall, this is a fantastic read.  It is definitely on my top five list for history books, along with At Dawn We Slept.  I’m already looking forward to reading more by Barbara Tuchman.  For anyone interested in reading about the start of World War I, I would highly recommend The Guns of August.       

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a wonderful book!

Lopaka

Incredible Victory: The Battle of Midway by Walter Lord
1967  / 268 pgs. History, Military and War

Incredible Victory is a Walter Lord history classic. It’s a detailed account, very similar to Miracle at Midway, of the planning and attack from both sides of the battle of Midway.  There are a few minor details between both books that are interesting; however, they don’t change any of the impacts of the fight. 

A fascinating point illustrated in both books is the “fog of war.” The in-validness of accounts as told by those that fought in the battle.  Both sides paint a different picture that makes a historian’s job more challenging trying to chronicle events.  Also, the written history by both nations after the battle and official reports.  When comparing the reports, there are very vast discrepancies on both sides.  However, it’s understandable that no one has time to write down precise information on what happened when in battle.   They leave that to the historian to sort out through logs, diaries, and interviews. 

Walter Lord pointed this out at the end of the book in a final section, mentioning that many U.S. Navy pilots swear they properly identified the Carrier based on the location of the Island.  However, the island location wasn’t the proper one for the Carrier they believed they attacked.  Also, taking in the official records of the first wave, the Akagi and Kaga were attacked, and no one bombed the Soyru.  The infamous “fog of War.”  

Overall, this is a beautiful read and easy to follow.  For anyone interested in reading about Midway’s Battle, I would recommend either Incredible Victory or Miracle at Midway.        

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a wonderful book!

Lopaka

Miracle At Midway
by Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein, and Katherine V. Dillon 1983  / 469 pgs Military History

The battle of Midway is known as the turning point of the Pacific War.  The story is well known to those that have read about World War II.  The Imperial Japanese Navy lost four Aircraft Carriers, and the U.S. Navy losing the U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5).  With the Japanese Carriers sunk and the loss of their very experienced pilots was to prove a disaster for the Empire that would never be on the offensive for the duration of the war.

The two movies about Midway tell a simplified version of what happens.  However, like all movies, there is more to the story than can be put on the film.  Miracle At Midway is a detailed account of the battle.  Unlike, At Dawn We Slept, there is not as much depth of the political games that brought the Japanese to this crucial battle. 

The fascinating section of the story is not what you would know from the movies, but the details that are left out of any standard Midway telling.  For example, how B-17’s and B-26’s from the USAAF bombed the Japanese fleet.  Their impact was minimal to nil; however, most people don’t know that any USAAF bombers were used in the battle. 

Another fascinating part that is lost to history was the first American aircraft to score a hit on the Japanese at the battle.  It wasn’t a carrier-born aircraft as most stories and even the movies tell.  It was a P.B.Y. Catalina rigged with a torpedo and scored a hit on the Akebono Maru in the Invasion Force.  The Catalina didn’t do much damage. Interestingly, it was the only successful U.S. torpedo attack during the entire battle!.  The P.B.Y. wasn’t the only aircraft that was rigged with a torpedo.  The USSAF rigged a torpedo to the B-26; however, their attack was unsuccessful.   

These are just a few of the fascinating and detailed stories that tell the whole narrative about the Battle of Midway.  Just like any History/War book, if it’s your cup of tea, you would enjoy this book.  If not, I would stay away from it.  I enjoyed reading it; it’s not as good as At Dawn We Slept. However, if you want a good read on the Battle of Midway, I would recommend it. 

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and get lost in an excellent book,

Lopaka

Next – A Night to Remember