A world where little light penetrates. Of dense vegetation, tangled roots, fetid mud and swamps. Where the helicopter, sophisticated weaponry and technology have revolutionized military combat. But where survival still depends on acute observation and listening for the slightest sound. The jungle. Backdrop to one of the most gruelling of all forms of warfare. To wars that in recent times have changed the course of history. The subject of this expert, extensively illustrated study by Bryan Perrett.Originally published to acclaim in 1990 by Patrick Stephens Limited, this re-issue represents a determination on the publisher's part to keep this esteemed volume in print.

The physical conditions of jungle warfare and the closeness of contact with the enemy pose unique problems and call for special soldiering skills. Colonel John Cross, a life long Gurkha officer, has an unrivalled knowledge of this demanding warfare and uses it to best advantage in this instructive yet personal account of techniques and experiences. He uses examples from British and Japanese sides in the Second World War and goes on to demonstrate how tactics and strategy developed in the Malay, Borneo and Indo-China theatres thereafter. He laces his work with vivid recollections and assessments of friend and foe along with entertaining anecdotes from a wide range of sources. This excellent book offers a perfect blend of factual military history and personal recollection and the reader gains a unique insight into this most challenging form of warfare.

This book describes and illustrates, in fascinating detail, the slow and painful learning curve followed by the Allies in the mid-war years as they attempted to end the Japanese stranglehold on Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Based on the actual wartime training documents and front-line memoirs, it shows how the British, Australian and US armies transformed their tactics, attitudes and equipment to master the art of jungle warfare. In 1944-45 the Allies finally conquered the jungle environment, exploiting their new strengths and their enemy's weaknesses, to win crushing victories in Burma and on the Pacific islands.

A world where little light penetrates. Of dense vegetation, tangled roots, fetid mud and swamps. Where the helicopter, sophisticated weaponry and technology have revolutionized military combat. But where survival still depends on acute observation and listening for the slightest sound. The jungle. Backdrop to one of the most gruelling of all forms of warfare. To wars that in recent times have changed the course of history. The subject of this expert, extensively illustrated study by Bryan Perrett. Originally published to acclaim in 1990 by Patrick Stephens Limited, this re-issue represents a determination on the publisher's part to keep this esteemed volume in print.

This book describes and illustrates, in fascinating detail, the slow and painful learning curve followed by the Allies in the mid-war years as they attempted to end the Japanese stranglehold on Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Based on the actual wartime training documents and front-line memoirs, it shows how the British, Australian and US armies transformed their tactics, attitudes and equipment to master the art of jungle warfare. In 1944-45 the Allies finally conquered the jungle environment, exploiting their new strengths and their enemy's weaknesses, to win crushing victories in Burma and on the Pacific islands.

His book tells not only how victory was gained through a combination of technology, tactics, and army-navy cooperation but also how the New Guinea campaign exemplified the strategic differences that plagued the Pacific War, since many high-ranking officers considered it a diversionary tactic rather than a key offensive.