Guam by James H. Hallas

Guam

The Battle for an American Island in World War II

James H. Hallas

Globe Pequot Publishing · Print & ebook · March 18, 2025

From the award-winning author of Saipan comes the definitive account of one of World War II's most brutal yet overlooked battles—the American reconquest of Guam, where 20 days of combat would claim over 18,000 mostly Japanese lives and mark another important turning point in the Pacific War.

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Who it’s for
James H. Hallas reconstructs the 1944 American reconquest of Guam through archival research and firsthand accounts.
Genres
WWII Pacific Theater, World War II History, U.S. Military History
Published
Globe Pequot Publishing, March 18, 2025

About this book

From the award-winning author of Saipan comes the definitive account of one of World War II's most brutal yet overlooked battles—the American reconquest of Guam, where 20 days of combat would claim over 18,000 mostly Japanese lives and mark another important turning point in the Pacific War.

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Drawing from extensive archival research and firsthand accounts, James H. Hallas masterfully reconstructs this pivotal 1944 campaign that transformed a Japanese island fortress into a vital American base for the final push toward Tokyo. Experience the harrowing invasion through the eyes of the Marines, soldiers, and sailors who fought there: - The devastating pre-invasion bombardment that pounded Japanese defenses for 13 straight days - The bloody beach landings where frogmen teams led the way through murderous fire - The desperate Japanese counterattacks that sometimes inflicted 50% casualties on American units - The brutal combat through jungles, swamps, and cave networks in suffocating tropical heat With the same gripping detail that earned his previous works critical acclaim, Hallas weaves together strategic overview with intimate human drama, from the commanders who planned the invasion to the frontline troops who executed it. This meticulously researched narrative stands as the authoritative history of a battle that helped secure ultimate victory in the Pacific.

Guam, 1944

James H. Hallas reconstructs the 1944 American reconquest of Guam through archival research and firsthand accounts.

Come here for

  • The 13-day bombardment and beach landings
  • Japanese counterattacks and combat in jungles, swamps, and caves

Expect

  • Strategic overview alongside accounts of commanders and frontline troops
  • Combat in suffocating tropical heat

Where it sits

WWII Pacific Theater100%
U.S. Military History29%
World War II History27%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Japanese History
  • World War II History
  • U.S. Military History
  • Naval History
Authors
James H. Hallas
Publisher
Globe Pequot Publishing
Published
March 18, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Japanese History