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Intelligence Gatherers on Japanese Air Power
during World War II
Mark Chambers, World War II aviation enthusiast and aviation history author, explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the Second World War. His book, Wings of the Rising Sun, is out on November 29, 2018
Pre-Order Wings of the Rising Sun
During World War II, Allied efforts to gather intelligence on Japanese air power played a vital role in assuring victory over Japan in the Pacific Theater. This was undertaken by personnel of the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Units (TAIU) operating in the Southwest Pacific, Southeast Asia, and China; the Technical Air Intelligence Center (TAIC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Anacostia in Washington, D.D. (USA); and Allied test pilots who test flew and evaluated captured Japanese World War II military aircraft. Their dedicated efforts in intelligence gathering and uncovering the secrets of Japanese air power proved to be crucial in the Allied victory over Japan in the Pacific War.
The diligent personnel of the Allied TAIU often operated in the harsh environs of the Pacific Theater, recovering downed or abandoned Japanese aircraft, while TAIC personnel conducted their own evaluations of captured Japanese aircraft, many of which had been restored to airworthy status, in addition to compiling countless intelligence reports concerning World War II Japanese military aircraft. In addition, Allied test pilots, such as members of “The Zero Club” and Lt Cdr Eddie R. Sanders, conducted important flight evaluations of captured Japanese aircraft that enabled the Allies to learn the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during World War II, and, most importantly, how to defeat these threats in aerial combat.
To learn more about how the intelligence on Japanese air power vitally contributed to the Allied victory over Japan in World War II, please read Osprey Publishing’s Wings of the Rising Sun.
Click through below to see a selection of images from the book:
Mark Chambers is an avid World War II aviation enthusiast and aviation history author. He has studied World War II military aviation extensively, with a keen focus on the air war in the Pacific. He works as a government contractor technical editor for the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Wings of the Rising Sun, his latest title, publishes in November. Filled with technical reports, first-hand accounts from Japanese and American airmen, test pilots and engineers, and rare photographs, the book explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the war years, unlocking the secrets of advanced military aviation technologies. Wings of the Rising Sun is published by Osprey and is available to pre-order now.