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Rising Sun, Falling Skies: The Disastrous Java Sea Campaign of World War II (General Military)

by Jeffrey Cox

4.05 · Rating Details · 152 Ratings · 27 Reviews

A fresh look at the disastrous Java Sea Campaign of 1941–42 which heralded a wave of Japanese naval victories in the Pacific but which eventually sowed the seeds of their eventual change in fortunes.

In the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese juggernaut quickly racked up victory after victory. Desperate to secure resource-rich regions in the Pacific and ensur

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Kindle Edition, 493 pages

Published March 25th 2014 by Osprey Publishing (first published July 23rd 2013)

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Oct 12, 2014 Bas Kreuger rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An intruiging book on the naval - air campaign (mostly the naval air side of the campaign) in the Pacific in the first couple of months after Pearl Harbor.
Cox paints a convincing picture of commanders and commands not yet used to serious full scale warfare. Strangely enough the British and Dutch should learned a lot in the two years since september 1939, surprised as they had been by the German lightning attack on Westerm Europe and in the Western Desert. Their underestimation of the Japanese ca An intruiging book on the naval - air campaign (mostly the naval air side of the campaign) in the Pacific in the first couple of months after Pearl Harbor.
Cox paints a convincing picture of commanders and commands not yet used to serious full scale warfare. Strangely enough the British and Dutch should learned a lot in the two years since september 1939, surprised as they had been by the German lightning attack on Westerm Europe and in the Western Desert. Their underestimation of the Japanese capabilities would cost them dearly in december 1941 - march 1942. They should have learned never to underestimate a potential enemy and be as prepared as possible. The reactions of the US commanders in the Phillines are more in line with senior commanders suddenly in a major warsituation. Still, the indesicion by MacArthur and his reaction to the Japanese attacks should have resulted in a court martial upon his arrival in Australia.
The book describes the operational history of those months, sometimes delving into tactical warfare and technical details of ships, torpedoes and planes.
It is not a dry list of actions, losses and progress of the campaign. In sometimes heartrending prose, Cox succeeds in placing you as reader on the Deck of the USS Langly as the crew knows the Jap bombers to come and sink her, or on the bridge of the Hr Ms de Ruyter with Admiral Doorman and his "dammed if he does, dammed if he don't" descisions. Almost Japanese in his fight to the end is Commander William Rankin of the RAN in his little sloop Yarra as he charged three heavy Japanese cruisers and two destroyers to defend his convoy.
All these stories are placed in a frame of operational dilemma's by the Allied generals and admirals.
The conclusion Cox has reached is that although it looks as if all the men lost, ships sunk and aircraft shot down had been in vain, in his eyes they had bought time for the US and UK to rest, rearm and regroup. It didn't cost the Japs extra time or losses, but learned the Allies valuable lessons and kept the Japanese occupied in the East Indies area for a couple of months. Withdrawal to Australia or India after the fall of Singapore in february (even if the Dutch had agreed to such policy) would have left the Indies to swift and unopposed occupation by Japan, moving their timetable forward. Would Australia and Burma/India have been more ready for them then?
For the Dutch there was no other option with a cruel enemy like Japan, they had to fight and die for the Indies. ...more

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Dec 16, 2014 Jen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Wow, where to begin? This book was a monster. As per my Kindle app, it was going to take me about 20 hours to finish. I think I may have gotten it down to 15 or so, but this was a mammoth book. When the forward tells you that the author decided a book needed to be written about ALL of the Allies failed efforts in the Pacific War, as all of the other books were just about a few of the battles, you know you're going to be in for a LOOOONG read.

But. NONE of the book was boring. The author described Wow, where to begin? This book was a monster. As per my Kindle app, it was going to take me about 20 hours to finish. I think I may have gotten it down to 15 or so, but this was a mammoth book. When the forward tells you that the author decided a book needed to be written about ALL of the Allies failed efforts in the Pacific War, as all of the other books were just about a few of the battles, you know you're going to be in for a LOOOONG read.

But. NONE of the book was boring. The author described everything so well, that you felt the "thrill" and terror of battle. It wasn't dramatized or romanticized. It was real. Gritty, raw and ultimately frustrating as hell.

War is hell, but politics is WAAAY worse. Much of the Allies failures were the result of political backstabbing by those in charge who wanted more power, but when they got it at the expense of wiser leaders, they dropped the ball to the great detriment of those fighting under them.

After speaking briefly to my father who is a bit of a WWII buff, asking him how the heck the Allies managed to turn it around, the answer was basically, America's military production of ships and planes finally caught up to and surpassed the Japanese. As this book is only from 1941-1942, I need to do much more research to be able to wrap my head around the Allies eventually succeeding.

I am a Pacific War nube. So this book may not be as great as I think it is as I have nothing to compare it to, but when a book has 30% of it being the notes and bibliography to the first 70%, I'm impressed. Being an English major, I know the importance of citation and I tend to look at poorly cited works as being lesser and suspect. This book blew me away with the notes. I NEVER read notes to books, never. Yet I read these notes, because they were just as interesting as the book itself.

It is SO IMPORTANT to read history and to LEARN from it. My lessons learned from this are 1) NEVER surrender, fight until you die if you are backed into a corner, because surviving may not be so great at the hands of the enemy, 2) don't let yourself be backed into a corner, always leave an out. If that's not possible, refer to lesson 1, 3) If you want to destroy something so the enemy doesn't get it, do it yourself and do a good job of it, 4) be willing to NOT follow incompetent leaders who are ok with sending you on a suicide mission while they stay nice and cozy and safe back at the office. Yes, on occasion a suicide mission is necessary to try to save others who are unable to help themselves, but know the difference between a worthy sacrifice and a moron-leader decision.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book. I completely loved it, even when my blood was boiling at the asinine decisions the "leaders" made and when I was tearing up at the unnecessary loss of life. To me, a good book makes you feel, and non-fiction is no exception.

Fantastic book, amazingly written, a solid five stars. Get it, read it. It's huge, but don't let the size of it intimidate you. It is incredibly worth it, even the notes.

My thanks to NetGalley and Osprey Publishing for an eARC of this book to read and review. ...more

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Jun 03, 2014 Edgar Raines rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

_Rising Sun, Falling Skies_ is a vivid narrative account of the naval and air side of the Allied loss of British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. Cox gives a devastating account of Douglas MacArthur's hesitation and failure to accept reality on Monday, December 8 (in the Philippines) and thus lay his air component open to devastating attack. In the process Cox examines and refutes using existing evidence the various arguments MacArthur's apologists have advanced over the years to explain (or ex _Rising Sun, Falling Skies_ is a vivid narrative account of the naval and air side of the Allied loss of British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. Cox gives a devastating account of Douglas MacArthur's hesitation and failure to accept reality on Monday, December 8 (in the Philippines) and thus lay his air component open to devastating attack. In the process Cox examines and refutes using existing evidence the various arguments MacArthur's apologists have advanced over the years to explain (or explain away) his role in the debacle. In Cox's view the loss of American aircraft on that first day was the turning point for the entire campaign. The Allies were already outnumbered in the air, but the loss of so many American aircraft versus minimal Japanese losses so skewed the air imbalance that only one result was likely if not inevitable---that the Japanese would overrun Allied defenses in the area.

One of the great strengths of the book is that the author attempts to show how the campaign looked from the U.S., British, Dutch, and Japanese perspectives. In the process he goes a long way to rehabilitate the reputation of Admiral Karel W. F. M. Doorman, who in Cox's view has unfairly been made a scapegoat at least in the English-language literature for the failure of the Allied defense of the Dutch East Indies. Cox makes a very convincing case. The real failure was the inability of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands to work out a combined command and exercise their forces together.

Every book has weaknesses as well as strengths. _Rising Sun, Falling Skies_ weaknesses are two-fold. Cox has not mastered the literature on the land campaigns, particularly the all-important Malayan Campaign. He neglected to read Stanley L. Falk's _Seventy Days To Singapore_ (1975), the first book to integrate Japanese sources into the campaign narrative, and Brian P. Farrell's _The Defence and Fall of Singapore, 1940-1942_ (2005), the first to use records generated during the campaign by U.K. forces. The second weakness is a failure to fully explain the political circumstances in the U.K., the U.S., and Australia that limited the kind of campaign the Allies could mount. His account of Japanese politics relies heavily on one source, David Bergamini's _Japan's Imperial Conspiracy_. He does provide a good analysis of the political circumstances influencing the Dutch East Indies government.

Despite these reservations, this is an exceptionally fine book. In many ways it is a memorial to those Allied airmen and sailors who fought and died to buy time for the U.S. to mobilize.

Osprey should be ashamed of some of the copy editing errors.

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Jun 21, 2015 Ben rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Rising Sun, Falling Skies
~Jeffrey Cox

In the Pacific War during the first months of 1942, the Empire of Japan was everywhere victorious . The USA had been devastated at Pearl Harbor and overrun in the Philippines. The British were out maneuvered and defeated in Singapore. That left The Dutch East Indies, where remnants of both British Commonwealth and U.S. Forces went to join Dutch forces to hold off the oncoming Japanese.
This very brief synopsis is the story of Rising Sun, Falling Skies. The aut ...more

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Jun 06, 2014 Nathan Trachta added it · review of another edition

A love of mine for some time has been reading about the Asiatic Fleet and how they performed in WWII; I was introduced to this by Mr. Winslow (The Ghost that Died at Sunday Straight and The Fleet the Gods Forgot) and have considered his books the Gold standard on the Asiatic Fleet. Since that time I've read many different books on the subject and I saw Mr. Cox's book as a new entry with good possibility; ok, let's talk about this possibility. Rising Sun, Falling Sky covers the opening campaignin A love of mine for some time has been reading about the Asiatic Fleet and how they performed in WWII; I was introduced to this by Mr. Winslow (The Ghost that Died at Sunday Straight and The Fleet the Gods Forgot) and have considered his books the Gold standard on the Asiatic Fleet. Since that time I've read many different books on the subject and I saw Mr. Cox's book as a new entry with good possibility; ok, let's talk about this possibility. Rising Sun, Falling Sky covers the opening campaigning the Southwest Pacific, including British, Dutch, Australian, American, and Of course Japanese. The book covers from the opening bombings of the Philippines and Malaysia thru to the Allied retirement from Indonesia. While focus is on the naval forces of the combatants, air and land operations are covered as the impact or are occurring around the naval combatants.

Rating wise this one was a little difficult because I honestly feel this is an outstanding example of a strong 4.5 star book. Strengths of the book include a bibliography that's outstanding (this is what makes the book a 5 star book), personal opinion that Mr. Cox supports with solid analysis and good presentation, and good completeness. Pleasant surprises were the personal details Mr. Cox provided (including personal observations from battles) and an outstanding understanding of his topic; I almost felt I was reading something by John Toland, with that said, particularly when Mr. Cox was discussing Admirals Helfrich and Doorman and their relationship... how could I not rate this book 5 stars... All books have weaknesses and Mr. Cox's book does have a few. For me the style was sometimes off a little, call it to much of a lawyer presenting a case and not enough providing humanity to a story. Adding a little more of the people in the story would have made the things more engrossing (forgive me please but my Gold standard is hard to meet in that area. Another book that blew me away with this was The Dutch Naval Air Force Against Japan by Mr. Womack). I also felt that while Mr. Cox did a great job with the Helfrich/Doorman relationship he missed a little on the Hart/Glassford relationship. Lastly I felt Mr. Cox didn't do as much for the US Naval forces in the Philippines as he could have (the PT Boats were glossed over, no mention of the USS Canopus, and the submarine effort around the Philippines was glossed over. Instead Mr. Cox brought us outstanding detail on the Prince of Wales/Repulse fiasco). Because of these weaknesses I couldn't truly call this a 5 star book but I did rating wise because of the bibliography. Merging the bibliography with the strengths of the book I feel the book is a good candidate for 5 stars. ...more

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Jul 11, 2014 Eric Ruark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: history

For you history buffs out there... this is a beautifully written and researched book. It tells the story of the Java Sea Campaign, a hopeless attempt by the British, American, Dutch and Australian forces to stop the Japanese juggernaut at the beginning of WWII. There were fatal mistakes, disastrous decisions and missed opportunities that condemned over 2,100 men to a watery death or death in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

Here is a sample: "There is no adjective superlative enough to describe ...more

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Sep 16, 2015 P.e. lolo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book picks up after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how the Japanese Navy and Army, continued their dominance across the Pacific and really anywhere they wanted to go. The beginning speaks of how MacArthur, dis obey orders and allowed the entire Army air corps to be destroyed. This would have a profound effect for many months. Even after he left the Philippines he would deflect responsibility to another person who actually was doing their job and making the best they could for his mistakes. ...more

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Jul 01, 2016 Allen Hill rated it really liked it

Shelves: history

This engaging narrative account of the Allies' experiences in the opening months of the campaign for Indonesia and Malaya. To explain the air and naval assets available, the opening of the Philippine campaign is also covered. Although Japanese sources and efforts are referenced, and tactical and operational dispositions described, the focus is on the Allied effort to stem or slow the Japanese advance. It is a forlorn effort. The author, a journalist by training, provides portraits and assessment ...more

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Jan 02, 2015 David rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Very interesting book about the lead up to the Pearl Harbor attack and the initial stages of WWII in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Even though I generally knew what happened, the writing style still had me frequently hoping for a different outcome and I had to keep reading to see what happened. I also learned a lot about how disorganized the allies were at these early stages of the war. After many misunderstandings and miscalculations the allies were pushed back and out of major areas so quick ...more

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Sep 06, 2016 Bill V rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: shelfari-favorites

I really enjoyed this book. The only flaw keeping it from receiving 5 stars is the organization of the book, especially the index. I read the physical book so for those with an electronic version they will not have this issue due to the search feature. The index in a few places refers to âœpage 4â but the earliest numbered page in the book is page 7. Interestingly enough, I did not see any index reference to either pages 5 or 6. There are at least 2 important names omitted from the index. I coul ...more

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Aug 16, 2014 James Clark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One outstanding book on a very difficult history on the early part of WW2 in the Pacific...an eye opening discussion on General MacArthur's nervous breakdown in Manilla which most military historians ignore, hide or purposely try to bury under MacArthur's egomania. A revelation on how MacArthur purposely obstructed any attempt to use Army assets pre-emptively against invading Japanese forces...and obstructed cooperation with the US Navy's Asiatic Fleet/Admiral Heart. A detailed explanation of th ...more

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Aug 04, 2014 Robert Morganbesser rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

brilliant book about the early days of the war in the Pacific. the US, British, Australians and Dutch were unprepared for the Japanese, and they were unprepared for victory. it was these early and easy battles that paved the way for their defeats later. both sides at times showed ineptitude in battles and follow ups, and the Dutch, interested only in keeping their overseas properties were at times, more of a hindrance than a help. a tremendous, well written book.

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Jul 25, 2015 Michael Nachman rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Mr. Cox has written a work of fiction, not a history. He claims knowledge of intentions and thoughts in people that no other historian I have read has claimed. His biography says he is a lawyer, and if that is the case, he should be familiar with the phrase, "facts not in evidence". I wanted to read a history of this period in the Pacific War, not a factionalized account. His claims, with no attribution, are unforgivable.

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Feb 23, 2015 David W. McStowe rated it it was amazing

Gripping and so very sad

Very well researched and written but very hard to read in terms of strategic and tactical errors brought about by a multinational force torn by a dichotomy of purpose, inflated egos, and in some instances just plain bad luck all be falling the souls charged with performing the seemingly impossible against an overwhelming enemy juggernaut.

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Aug 05, 2016 Bill rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, hlstory-2nd-world-war

4.8 stars! A great story told with a wealth of detail and sound analysis. Two points demerit for stilted writing in spots, and an over-emphasis on using the Spartans at Thermopylae as a simile for the doomed American, British, Dutch, and Australians who tried to slow down the Japanese juggernaut when it attacked Indonesia in 1941. The whole tale is captured in vignette ably told in this book, wherein the survivors of a sunken Dutch destroyer cheer the 4 antiquated cruisers of the allied fleet as ...more

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Feb 13, 2015 James Jr. rated it it was amazing

An Excellent Book

If you buy only one book on the DEI campaign, it should be this one. Extensively researched and easy to read, I highly recommend for both professional and amateur historians.

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Sep 30, 2014 Roger Neilson rated it it was amazing

An amazing read. A page turner where you watch in horror as the destruction of so many ships and men occurs through a mixture of bad judgement, faulty information and sheer bad luck.

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Oct 17, 2015 jean hummel rated it did not like it

Overly detailed

Way too much presentation of research. Fully a quarter of the text is devoted to notes and bibliography. Don't bother.

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Jan 29, 2016 Bill Jaffe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: wwii-books

fascinating book on the Java Sea Campaign of early 1942.
the command issues alone doomed the Allies to fight a mostly reactionary campaign

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Aug 28, 2015 Alexkleeman rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Didn't need to be so long, but I learned a lot about the SE asia WWII campaign, including some bits about my Grandpa's ship that he never mentioned.

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Sep 11, 2016 Scott Rowland rated it really liked it

A very good book about a little written subject. Very informative and an easy read, recommended.

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Jan 23, 2016 Dan6838 rated it really liked it

This book covers the first 3 months of World War II in the pacific. A very depressing start for the Allies, who had badly underestimated the preparedness of the Japanese.

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Jan 06, 2016 Bob rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: world-war-2

A most excellent tribute to those who fought against the Japanese onslaught in SE Asia and the SW Pacific during the first four months of WW2. It presents the POV of all parties and is the best account of strengths and weaknesses -- and pitiful results -- of the ABDA command that I've ever read. well researched and very readable.

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Feb 16, 2015 Steve Switzer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ww2

Wonderful superb account of the brave hopeless air and naval battles of the Allies in the java sea and indian ocean and the collapse of ABDA
Must now be the standard account of this campaign
A great read

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Mar 21, 2015 Pat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I learned a great deal about this often neglected area of the Pacific War, it was well worth getting through the details of some of the battles to gain an understanding of the people who fought and died in places we never heard of in many cases.

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Nov 22, 2015 Victor Kovacs rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Well written account of the opening months of the war in the Southeast Pacific, with a detailed analysis of not just the events but also of the personalities involved.

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Apr 21, 2015 Rich Taylor rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: militaryhistory

A well written narrative of a less well known campaign.

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“By 7:55 am on December 7, World War II in the Pacific had been in progress for more than eight hours.” — 0 likes

“it was decided that US cruisers should not carry torpedoes, the only cruisers in the Western navies not to carry torpedoes as a matter of policy. The Houston’s six torpedo tubes, like those of most US cruisers, had been removed. This left American cruisers at a severe disadvantage, especially in combat against enemy battleships with their stronger armor.” — 0 likes

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