USN PT Boat vs IJN Destroyer

Tokyo Express 1942–43

Mark Stille (Author), Edouard A. Groult

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English

Osprey Publishing
29 July 2025

Military history; Second World War; Naval forces & warfare; Battles & campaigns; Military & naval ships

Series: Duel

This fully illustrated book assesses the trial of strength between US Navy PT boats and Japanese destroyers operating in the Solomon Islands during 1942–43.

During the Solomons fighting, the IJN was forced to rely on destroyers to move men and materiel to its forward garrisons. Conducted at night to avoid American air power, these missions, first seen during the struggle for Guadalcanal, were dubbed the Tokyo Express. Unable to derail the Tokyo Express by using its destroyers, the USN deployed PT boats off Guadalcanal from October 1942; sinking one destroyer and damaging another.

As the fighting moved into the Central Solomons, the USN attempted to disrupt the build-up of Japanese forces on New Georgia Island and other Japanese strongholds by using cruisers and destroyers, but this approach resulted in heavy losses. PT boat operations were increasingly important after the Japanese turned to barges to move troops and supplies.

Full-colour artwork and mapping and carefully chosen archive photographs complement vivid battle narratives and shrewd analysis in this lively account of the ships and men fighting on both sides in the crucial Solomon Islands campaign at the height of World War II. Renowned authority Mark Stille explores the background to this epic clash of arms, charts its course during 1942–43, and offers insights into the performance of both sides in this pivotal campaign of World War II in the Pacific.

By: Mark Stille (Author)
Illustrated by: Edouard A. Groult
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 141
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 261g
ISBN: 9781472860972
ISBN 10: 1472860977
Series: Duel
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 29 July 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Mark Stille, a former US Navy officer, is the author of numerous Osprey titles focusing on World War II naval history, including Duel 48: USN Destroyer vs IJN Destroyer. Edouard Groult worked as a concept artist in the videogame industry and also undertakes historical commissions while freelancing for historical publications.