USN PT Boat vs IJN Destroyer: Tokyo Express 1942-43

80 Pages

Kevin Billings

Mark Stille’s USN PT Boat vs IJN Destroyer: Tokyo Express 1942–43 is another offering in Osprey Publishing’s ‘Duel’ series which offers a focused examination of the asymmetrical naval warfare between the US Navy’s PT boats and the Imperial Japan Navy’s destroyers during the pivotal Solomon Islands campaign. Illustrated by Edouard A. Groult, the book delves into the technical, tactical, and operational dynamics of these engagements, challenging romanticised perceptions of PT boats while highlighting the strategic complexities of the Pacific Theatre.

Stille structures the book into clear, concise sections typical of the ‘Duel’ series.  The first looks at design and development which is a comparative analysis of the Elco 80-foot PT boat and Japanese Kagero-class destroyers. The PT boats’ lightweight construction, Packard engines, and armament, including Mark 8 torpedoes and .50-caliber guns, contrast sharply with the destroyers’ formidable firepower, Long Lance torpedoes, and superior speed. Detailed tables and diagrams outline technical specifications such as speed, armour, and weaponry, emphasising the PT boats’ vulnerability in direct engagements.  Insights into the USN’s reliance on daring, close-range night attacks versus the IJN’s disciplined night-fighting expertise, honed through rigorous drills highlight Stille’s discussion of crew training and tactics.

Case studies like the Battle of Blackett Strait famous for PT-109 and John F Kennedy’s heroics and the November 1942 actions off Guadalcanal illustrate the PT boats’ struggles against destroyers, exacerbated by faulty torpedoes and Japanese counter-tactics. Despite limited tactical success, PT boats significantly disrupted Japanese logistics, contributing to the attrition that eventually halted the Tokyo Express.

Stille’s strength lies in his methodical dissection of technological and doctrinal disparities. He underscores how the PT boats’ theoretical advantages – speed and stealth – were neutralised by the IJN’s superior radar, searchlights, and the devastating Long Lance torpedoes. The book demystifies the PT boats’ legacy, noting their torpedoes’ low hit rates and the IJN’s adaptability in resupply missions.

Groult’s illustrations enhance the narrative, particularly cutaway views of vessels and dynamic battle scenes. Maps, though sparse, clarify the chaotic nighttime engagements, while photographs and diagrams contextualise the technical discussions.

Stille is careful to avoid an Allied-centric bias, acknowledging IJN proficiency and PT boats’ limitations.  He provides clear explanations of armament and propulsion systems catering to military enthusiasts. He also supports his work with vivid accounts of battles, supplemented by crew anecdotes, to humanise the analysis.

At 80 pages, some readers may crave deeper exploration of crew experiences or broader strategic context. To provide that context I would recommend also reading Dark Nights, Deadly Waters: American PT Boats in the Solomon Islands by Keith Warren Lloyd. Together, these books offer a holistic view of PT boat warfare. Stille provides the ‘technical framework’ to understand ‘how’ these clashes unfolded, while Lloyd delivers the ‘human drama’ that explains ‘why’ they mattered. For a complete picture of the Solomons’ nocturnal battles, both are essential—one educates the mind, the other stirs the soul.

USN PT Boat vs IJN Destroyer is a compelling primer for enthusiasts of naval warfare, offering a nuanced critique of a lopsided duel. Stille’s expertise shines in his tactical breakdowns, while Groult’s visuals bring technical details to life. Though concise, the book succeeds in revising romantic myths, presenting PT boats as flawed yet persistent tools in the Allied campaign.