Avonmore Books is pleased to announce the completion of New Guinea Eagles Volume 1, for publication due in late August 2026. It chronicles the Japanese Air Army campaign in New Guinea from when its first units arrived in October 1942 until the late September 1943 raids against Nadzab and Port Moresby.
This first volume covers Rabaul’s and Wewak’s beginnings, guarding supply convoys, defending Wau, the highlands campaign, and forays into the Solomons. Two air divisions were combined to create the 4th Air Army in August 1943. Both soon ventured into the New Guinea Highlands before defending Nassau Bay, Lae and Salamaua.
The JAAF operated a wide variety of fighter, attack, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft types, operating with numerous air regiments, independent squadrons and headquarters attachments. Citing primary operational records, combats are aligned, strategies revealed, adversaries identified & aligned, and accurate losses chronicled. The problematic introduction of the Ki-61 ‘Tony’, widespread use of the Ki-51 ‘Sonia’ and the struggles of the Ki-49 ‘Helen’ are described in detail. Bolstered by rare photos, maps and illustrations, the work also contains profiles of aircraft which operated in the theatre.
New Guinea Eagles Volume 1 - The Japanese Air Army from Rabaul to Wewak October 1942 to September 1943
- Author: Michael Claringbould
- Size: 250 x 176mm
- 208 pages
- fully illustrated in colour
- ISBN 9781764193788 RRP $42.95
Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here – on Aeroscale.
