Battle Orders 12: US Special Warfare Units in the Pacific Theater 1941–45

by Gordon L Rottman

Osprey Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84176-707-7, 96 pages

Unlike the usual run of Battle Orders books this one covers the actual battle experiences of the units it deals with. Here are some that I’d never even encountered in reading other histories – the Alamo Scouts, for instance. Many were small units, almost organised ad hoc to meet a need, and though the Ranger battalions were much larger they met the same fate of disbandment at the end of the war. No armour was used by these special warfare units, of course, but they still deserve consideration as modelling subjects for Pacific War fans because some of them did serve in island assaults involving armour.

Here we get a full layout of their organisations, aims, tactics, and weaponry with descriptions of the service of each. And as mentioned, descriptions of their combat actions too. Some successful, other not doing so well, but all making fascinating reading.

Highly recommended.

John PrigentMore details from Osprey Publishing

Read an extract at Osprey Publishing