| Original caption: “Taking the slim protection that a blasted tree affords, this Marine picks-off the Japanese in a pillbox. A Japanese in a pillbox must be shot through the small opening he uses to sight through, but that didn’t bother this Marine on Tarawa.” A United States Marine squad leader, denoted by the 2 stripes on his helmet, wearing a P42 Herringbone Twill (HBT) camouflage uniform 1st used at Tarawa, takes aim at a Japanese position. Rifle fire was ineffective at silencing Japanese blockhouses and pillboxes; when 6th Marines landed on Green Beach on D-Day plus 1, November 21, 1943, they were requested to bring as many flamethrowers as they could find. The tactic of reducing dug-in Japanese became known as “corkscrew and blowtorch” tactics. American forces would use flamethrowers and satchel charges to clear Japanese positions. By the end of the 1st day of the invasion of Betio, little progress was made inland. Much of the assault echelon of 2nd Marines were dead – more than 50 percent in some cases – and 8th Marines held a tenuous position that barely clung to 1 side of the airfield. They landed mostly intact but were forced to stay at the seawall for most of the day as their casualties mounted. With 6th Marines’ landing on Green Beach perpendicular to the Japanese defenses, they could move behind their lines and enfilade their positions. But much hard fighting remained that would essentially eliminate the entire Japanese garrison before Tarawa would be declared secure. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1611.jpg |
| Image Size | 672.87 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2239 x 3000 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 21, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | Betio |
| State or Province | Tarawa |
| Country | Gilberts |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-127-N-63472 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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