Military Review English Edition September-October 2014 | Page 119

BOOK REVIEWS

Perry’s assessment of MacArthur’s generalship rests
quite accurately on MacArthur’s concept and execution of Operation Cartwheel and on the debate over
whether to make the final approach to the Japanese
home islands through the Philippines or Formosa.
During Operation Cartwheel, MacArthur’s forces
combined with those of Halsey to adroitly maneuver
the Japanese out of Rabaul. Cartwheel is a textbook
illustration of effective joint and combined operations.
With respect to the Philippines, MacArthur made the
case for advancing on Japan via the Philippines instead
of Formosa on two grounds—both of which were
compelling.
First and foremost, the United States had a vital
strategic interest in minimizing the suffering of the
Filipinos who after all were U.S. citizens and had a right
to expect succor at the first possible instance. Second,
and equally important, in 1944, Japanese counteroffensive operations overran a number of Chinese airfields
essentially denying eastern and southern China bases
to the Allies. Accordingly, the Philippines and the lesser
Japanese Islands such as Iwo Jima provided better alternatives to an assault on Formosa which the Japanese
were defending more heavily. Spruance and Halsey
agreed with MacArthur’s view thus winning over
Nimitz. In the end, Roosevelt, the consummate politician and commander-in-chief sided with MacArthur
over the chief of naval operations, Adm. King, and the
rest is history.
This is a very good book with clear insight not only
into MacArthur but the very real human endeavor
of making policy and war. Both are blood sports and
not for the faint hearted. This is a must read for young
officers who may someday find themselves confronted
with difficult operational and even strategic dilemmas.
There is no doctrine for this work. Learning to do it requires the approach suggested by Frederick the Great.
Frederick believed we are able to learn both from our
own experience and that of others. As he put it, “what
good is experience if it is not directed by reflection?”
Thinking critically about what we do and what others
have done before us is part of our preparation for leadership and p