Panic on the Pacific (Four Stars)

Following the attack at Pearl Harbor the Japanese followed up with a land-and-sea campaign which netted them Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, chunks of China and several American islands. Is it any wonder that Americans living on the West Coast believed that they might be next?




Bill Yenne examines the state of defense in the 4th Army area, which included Washington, Oregon and California, both before and after the attack in Hawaii. America remained woefully unprepared despite the fact that much of the United States' aircraft production happened to be on the West Coast. Only four U.S. Army divisions were located in the far west to prevent an invasion, yet these units were badly positioned to prevent a serious incursion against the Pacific states. There were almost no Navy warships (they had mostly gone to Pearl Harbor) and there were not enough aircraft to provide fighter cover or to attack an enemy task force at sea.




Meanwhile, General DeWitt (4th Army commander) and the governors of the Pacific states made the decision to relocate and intern Japanese living in the West, including citizens. Without FDR's acquiesence such a dishonorable measure could not have been carried out and this did little or nothing to protect the West Coast.




Well-written, with maps and black-and-white photos, this book tells a little-known story of American weakness early in WWII. It also includes a a bit of speculative history about what MIGHT have happened if Japan had decided to deny the United States the industries located on the West Coast and actually invade America. Overall, a good read!