The spearhead of Japan's assault landing operations both in China pre-Pearl Harbor, and in US and British territory post-Pearl Harbor, was provided by the Special Naval Landing Forces - 12 numbered battalion-size Imperial Japanese Navy units. They garrisoned a number of the islands which the US Marines then had to re-claim in some of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War. These included the infamous battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the elite force which has be never before been examined in such detail in English, covering weapons and equipment as well as uniform and insignia.

Author Biography

Gary Nila is a former Los Angeles Police Officer and FBI Special Agent who now works as an investigator with Northrop Grumman Corporation Air Combat Systems. He has been a collector of World War II Japanese military uniforms and equipment for over 30 years. Robert Rolfe is retired from the US Postal Service, and has collected WWII Japanese Military uniforms and equipment for over 42 years. Robert has one of the largest and most complete SNLF collections in the world. Robert lives with his wife in Burbank, CA.