Aeroplane Books | The Pineapple Air Force: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner, Jr.

Prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Seventh Fighter Command was an under manned and under resourced fighter force. On the first day of the war, this was America's front line force, equipped with P-26, P-36, and P-40s. With these obsolete aircraft the Seventh Fighter Command took on the Japanese Navy and at least gave a good measure. The Seventh Fighter Command was in the front line from literally the first shots of World War II to the last.

Where did they get the Pineapple Air Force moniker? Well the 7th Air Force bombers were sent off to war while the fighters were left to defend the Hawaii from an attack that never came. They said they were guarding the pineapples.

This book is written in a chronological order of events in the words of the people that were there. Some were taken from letters home and others are first hand accounts. This is a really nice way to tell the story of how this force started the war without the proper resources and ended it with the leading edge night fighting and fighter forces. The book contains some unique photos. This is not a picture book, however, the pictures support the text. There is a section of full color drawings and photos, including some color photos of Japanese airplanes. The black and white photos are very interesting and again include some Japanese airplanes late in the war and not just derelicts. I found the pictures of the P-61s, P-51s and P-47s to be particularly interesting.

The history is helped along with "historical" text and this is then supported with the first hand accounts. The text is easily read and really informative and at times funny and tragic. One thing I found disturbing is the amount of pilots and crews lost to accidents. What a shame.

The events of December 7th are presented from the pilot's point of view which is really a unique way to study the day. Pilots such as Rasmussen, Taylor and Welch are "interviewed" and their exploits are exciting as well as compelling reading. Some interesting aircraft are illustrated including a P-40F and Ks over Wheeler. One of the few sent to the South Pacific.

You are treated to the growth of the Army Air Force from the P-40s to the P-61 and everything in between. The growth shows how the new form of night fighting was developed from early bomber types such as the P-70s. The colors of the aircraft and the evolution of the camouflage is also noteworthy. How is this for unique? A P-39 with a depth charge underneath the fuselage. I've read about P-40s and P-47 launching from carriers but there are photos of P-39s launching as well. Try that for a little different diorama. We are aware that there is a "Miss Mary Lou" P-47 but there is also a "Miss Carol Ann". There are some nice photos of the P-61s in both types of camouflage types.

While the aircraft are nice you learn to identify with the pilots and ground crew, by their accounts. The personalities that come out and the stories are like listening to a grandfather tell you, "there I was, no sh*t". It makes for a nice read. In particular, I enjoyed reading about Rasmussen from a lowly Second Lieutenant at Pearl Harbor to a Lieutenant Colonel by warss end on Ie Shima.

The Pacific air war from the Army standpoint has not been covered very well in the past, until now. This book addresses that shortfall. This book is written the way I like to read them, first person accounts that are interjected with historical timelines. This prevents the "boring" history from bogging down the story telling and makes the war personal, as it should be. This book will provide inspiration and is an easy read. If you are looking for a photo history this may not be the book for you but if you are looking for a really good book with history, first hand accounts, interesting photos (both color and B&W), and nice drawings then this book is definitely for you.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Aeroplane Books for the review copy. To obtain your copy visit them at www.aeroplanebooks.com and tell them you read about it here.

Aeroplane Books | The Pineapple Air Force: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner, Jr.

Related Content