World War II US Cavalry Units: Pacific Theater

By Gordon L. Rottman

Osprey's elite series title for all cavalry units that participated in World War II (1939-1945). At the time of Pearl Harbor, the United States Army still had ten cavalry regiments that were mounted on horses. One, the 26th (Filipino Scouts) fought on horseback in the Philippines, while the rest were dismounted and fought as infantry. Despite this, the cavalry units maintained their own unique organization, traditions, and identity as they saw action in the Pacific and China-Burma-India theatre.

This book covers all of the US cavalry units to see action during World War II, most of which survive to this day. It includes the little-covered Texan National Guard regiments, who took part in the vicious street fighting in Manila in 1945, and who fought beside ex-Merrill's Marauders as a deep penetration unit. It also contains detailed color-plates showing the unique uniforms of the US Army's last mounted cavalry as well as tropical combat dress worn by the dismounted units.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781780962146

Gordon L. Rottman

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.

Reviews for World War II US Cavalry Units

[shrike58 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that you can read by its cover as Rottman provides a good overview of the U.S. Army's cavalry arm's efforts to remain relevant and keep their identity long after there was no denying that the time of the horse had basically passed in war.