The Darkest Hour Volume 1

The Darkest Hour presents the Imperial Japanese Navy offensive in the Indian Ocean area in March–April 1942, the main goal of which was to destroy the Royal Navy in the Far East and achieve domination on the western flank of the Pacific War on the eve of the Battle of Midway. The bold operation by two Japanese task forces (Kidō Butai and Malay Force) in the Indian Ocean would only be possible with the fall of Singapore in February and the Dutch East Indies in early March 1942. 

From the strategic point of view, the Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean was the only moment in the Second World War when the Axis forces could coordinate their efforts to severely threaten the position of the British Empire in the crucial Middle Eastern and Indian theatres.

Volume 1 of The Darkest Hour describes the strategic planning and opening moves of both sides in February–March 1942, including the Japanese navy projections on the final steps of the first stage of the Pacific War, and the Royal Navy’s hopes to halt the enemy advance without taking any significant risks. The Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean began in March 1942 with the invasion of the Andaman Islands and Christmas Island. By securing both vital positions, the Japanese navy planned to establish its advanced bases in the eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. 

In the next step, the invincible Kidō Butai consisting of five aircraft carriers and their escorts, was expected to crush the British bases on Ceylon and once and forever destroy the main core of the Eastern Fleet. The chaos provoked by the Kidō Butai would then become a great opportunity for the Malay Force to cut off the British shipping routes in the western part of the Bay of Bengal.

The Darkest Hour is the first systematic attempt to describe this less-well known part of the Pacific War by researching both British and Japanese archive documents and other sources published in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and India. The first volume examines events up to the capture of the Andaman Islands and Christmas Island in early March 1942, and is extensively illustrated with photographs and colour artworks of the ships, aircraft and men involved.

 

"...[The Darkest Hour] will provide the reader with a vast and clearer knowledge and understanding of this aggressive operation." Model Shipwrights

"Piegzik has presented an incredibly detailed account of the first part of Japanese naval actions in the Indian Ocean in 1941 and early 1942. He provides the latest information obtained from British, American, and Japanese archives – something no other writers have been able to include...far and away the best detailed account of the action." Naval Historical Foundation

"This book uses extensive accounts from the Japanese and offers considerable balance to the usual books that center on English-language accounts...an exemplary account of the early operations and the forces involved." The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

“This is an amazingly detailed book… This is a great book on a little-known period in World War II. The details are incredibly researched, maps clearly explain the campaign, and the photos and drawings are immaculate.” IPMS/USA

"Japan’s efforts to dominate the Indian Ocean in World War Two are often ignored by authors. However, it was a crucial part of the naval/air war and fascinating for any Pacific Theatre enthusiast. For modellers, it offers the chance to look further than the obvious subject of Pearl Harbor. Here, Helion & Co’s book The Darkest Hour Volume 1 delivers in spades for anyone seeking modelling inspiration. It’s especially useful for anyone who builds across the genres, with dovetailing narrative on both the vessels involved and the associated aviation assets – on both Japanese and Allied sides...While the subject might be less well known than, say, Pearl Harbor or Midway, it’s explored in intensive detail here and there is a wide range of visual reference, ideal for modelling on this theme alone… or the Pacific Theatre in a wider context." KeyModelWorld.com

".....a detailed account with a flowing narrative and something for everyone and is recommended for all readers." Martin Pike, Miniature Wargames Issue 477, Jan 2023

"For the casual reader, it serves as an effective introduction to the southern China-Burma-India theater in the earliest days of World War II. For the more-focused armchair historian, the text and notes will save significant time otherwise spent translating Japanese primary documents and references." The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation

"...Adding to the detailed text there are plenty of archive photos, tables with even more detail, such as the record of individual IJN reconnaissance patrols flown and a super selection of artwork in the centre pages. These include profiles of 2 RN and 2 IJN carriers, an assortment of IJN aircraft profiles, uniforms, a map of the region and my personal favourite, a page showing the individual deck markings of the 5 Japanese carriers. Ideal for modellers. An interesting read on this offensive, with the rest set to be told in volume 2." Robin Buckland, Military Model Scene

"Michal Piegzik has produced a very good analysis of the Japanese thrust westwards into the Indian Ocean." The Northern Mariner