|
1
Hi All Sorry been a while. Glad to see everybody, and prey you and your familys are well. As always we all band together and solve much. Great topic. I havnt got much to add. But hope you injoy pic. 1930s base of Pier. 
2
« Last post by gunnygp on July 10, 2020, 12:08:35 am »
Interesting. thanks for the post. I have referred to the "perpendicular structure" as a stone jetty. To the left (east) of the jetty the seawall was constructed of coral blocks with log emplacements along its length in the direction of the main pier. at the base of the jetty to the right is where LVT-2 #2 and LVT-2 #9 ended up. LVT-1 #44 was just west of them and LVT-1 #41 behind them on the second day. Lots of good Marines floating around them. Here is the rear entrance to that pillbox and the Marine wandering around looking at the carnage. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
3
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 09, 2020, 05:11:52 pm »
Perhaps more than speculation on this one??...
From book, Echoes of the Last World War by Lt William Sanders of D-1-2
Second Day
"After emptying the .50 Caliber machine gun, a Sherman tank came along the beach and stopped at the end of the perpendicular structure and fired several rounds into the window or slit of the pillbox. At that time, Petrie, Wolford and I walked over to the pillbox at the sea wall front and observed the worst carnage I ever seen in the war. I recognized the body of Private/Corporal Casto [PFC William Monroe Casto D-1-2] of West Virginia hanging head and upper body down over the left side of the rightmost of the two Amtracs stalled and their occupants virtually wiped out in front of the pillbox. Casto had been a member of the first platoon that I commanded, the command of which was taken from me prior to leaving New Zealand. Bodies and body parts of Marines were strewn all around both of the Amtracs with Casto’s Amtrac stopped at a 45 degree angle on the sea wall and the other several yards before reaching the sea wall and closer in the corner formed with the sea wall by the perpendicular structure."
****
"These Marines of my first weapon’s company platoon were simply trapped in the corner of the sea wall and the perpendicular structure. "
Sanders mentions other Marines that he corresponded with in 2002 of 2ndMarDiv that identified themselves as being with the tracs. Fred Clements being one of A-Co 2nd Amphib. Haven't absorbed that info yet. Map with arrow put in by Sanders where tracs were.
4
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 08, 2020, 11:20:13 am »
Thanks George. My info did not have but 2. So Moise was right on the number of amtracs. All happened between early morning and mid afternoon on D-Day according to Norman. Picture was a little after 14:00. Also, one of the tracs looks to be smoking as he had mentioned as well. I looked up the description of his and Brodowski's wounds and the info aligns there as well. Of course, will never know with any certainty but it's still interesting to contemplate and add some dots on the board...
5
« Last post by gunnygp on July 07, 2020, 10:55:33 pm »
A thought provoking pic showing two LVT-1s facing each other and floating dead on the reef.
As far as the Middleton goes, Amtrac battalion records do show two tractors on deck and two in a hold. Those in the holds of the ships were not to be a part of the initial assault but in fact a number were hastily brought up and lowed over the side to make up for some early mechanic losses.
6
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 07, 2020, 02:36:06 pm »
I realize it is nothing more than speculation at this point but when I look at this story by Norman Moise (A Company 2nd Amphib), it makes me wonder if there isn’t a connection here between the story and this aerial; one that was somewhat haunting actually when I first saw it. The locations are the same in the picture and the article by Moise. Pretty difficult to substantiate anything at this point but it sure resonates beyond just coincidence ;at least to me. Other ‘facts’ : Moise also said there were four amtracs with his ship (Middleton housing 3/2 as I understand it) with 13 Marines from his company on board. Records check substantiate number of Marines from his company on board but I have the Middleton showing only 2 LVT-1s. Seems like number of Marines would roughly correspond to 4 tracs though. Anyway, just passing it on… https://www.historynet.com/terror-survival-tarawa.htm
7
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 03, 2020, 04:20:02 pm »
Thanks, George! I think I remember you mentioning it on one of the aerials now. The Saida Maru got a lot of coverage compared to the Niminoa. Hopefully my brain will retain this 
8
« Last post by gunnygp on July 03, 2020, 11:26:46 am »
The vessel was the Niminoa. The larger Saida Maru was on the other (west) side of the pier.
9
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 02, 2020, 10:51:41 pm »
It is working now Jon. Thanks!
10
« Last post by TRGodwin on July 02, 2020, 10:48:29 pm »
Hey... why not throw something in from the Canal. Never knew my dad's group took an island called Makambo. Always assumed Tulagi was their initial target. Nice map.
|
More on 44
by Kim Harrison
July 10, 2020, 06:25:38 pm
|
Norman Moise story History Net
by TRGodwin
July 08, 2020, 11:20:13 am
|
Less published pic of LVT-1#29
by TRGodwin
July 03, 2020, 04:20:02 pm
|
Image Posting Upgraded
by TRGodwin
July 02, 2020, 10:51:41 pm
|
Map of 2nd Marines assault Guadalcanal
by TRGodwin
July 02, 2020, 10:48:29 pm
|
Saipan Teamwork
by TRGodwin
July 02, 2020, 10:26:48 pm
|
Picture Posting - Ran out of space
by jstevens
June 03, 2020, 10:18:21 pm
|
LVT Photo after the battle
by TRGodwin
May 30, 2020, 10:36:59 am
|
LVT upended on sea wall.
by aaguerre
May 26, 2020, 08:08:22 pm
|
Life Magazine Picture Archive - post Nov 1943 Photographs
by jstevens
May 23, 2020, 02:28:52 pm
|
|
|
Home
Forum
Search
Contact
Login
Register
Recent Posts