Bloody Shambles: The Drift to War to the Fall of Singapore

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Summary: Details Tell the Story
Review: Bloody Shambles is an extraordinarily detailed study of the utter futility of the first months of the war in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. While providing little overview or narrative, the detail of the experiences speak for themselves. Inadequate equipment, both, quality and quantitative, flying procedures designed more for regimental show than for effect, and a complete lack of cooperation between services, were the hallmarks of the impending disaster.
The loss of the British battleships, Repulse and Prince of Wales, are examples of the short service life that was awaiting those who took a cavalier attitude towards the power and complexities of managing air assets. When combined with a lack of coherent intelligence, the impossible situation of the British High Command is felt as much as understood. Given Churchill¡¦s widely quoted disparaging remarks at the lack of ¡§fight¡¨ put into the defense of Singapore, the details point to more insidious reasons. Most notably, almost no air defense was anticipated for Singapore¡¦s defense. The collapse of the Malay Peninsula put Japanese artillery within easy range of Singapore¡¦s defenders and the inability to respond to the daily air attacks were the coup de grace to the morale of the island.

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Summary: The Definite History of the Air War in SE Asia 1941-42
Review: This is the best book on the subject of the air war in SE Asia 1941-42 during the period of the Rising Sun. The book chronicles the Rise of Japan as the dominant air power in the Far East, and analyses why the British, Dutch, and Americans failed to notice the threat and re-equip their crumbling air forces. The book also mentions Thailand and the country's participation in the war, and it also covers the air battles of the early period of the war in the far east.
This is another essential book on the military historian's book shelf, so own it!