Marine Tank Battles in the Pacific

Well researched and well written, a very detailed account of Marine tankers in WWII. Fascinating details, such as tank crew members being shipped to the Pacific without ever SEEING a tank!Photo reproductions, however, were badly subpar, which lessens the enjoyment of this type of book.

As a former U.S. Army Tanker in the late 1960s I could empathize with the tankers daily routine of movement and maintenance. The long underpaid overworked hours one puts in as a track-head. Being couped up, nearly blind in a turret wondering what was going on outside of one' pony. I was truly amazed at the bravery and dedication of the WWII Marine Corp. Tankers, the appalling carnage they witnessed and the pathos of combat. The author brought all this and more to life in his writing. At times I got sick from the bloody battles they and the infantry fought in the Pacific Theater. Having served in the far east I can imagine easily the mental and physical toll the heat, humidity and insects took on one's mind and body. I feel that the political leaders of this county should read this before committing us to war.

This superb book gives exciting descriptions of tank battles fought by Marines during WW2. Since both the American and Japanese used tanks in an infantry support role, most battles were fought with small groups of tanks. The book describes the battles in which tanks were used in support of infantry. This includes use of Japanese tanks in support of their infantry against the US troops. The book also details the few, brief tank vs. tank battles between the US Marines and the Japanese. The author does an excellent job describing the overall battle of each island, the roll of the American and Japanese tanks in them., and first hand accounts of small actions. The book also includes about 100 photographs which provide a good idea what much of the terrain and combat were like. This is a must have for anyone interested in armored warfare or the WW2 war in the Pacific. I only wish I could find a comparable book on the US army tank battles in the Pacific.

Marines and tanks? Who would ever write about this? This book is long overdue. Every book on the Pacific was mentions breifly the role Marine Tanks. This book covers that gap in grand style. I shows the development of Marine Armor, and its employemnt in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. This book on the Corps unsung heros, is faced paced and very easy to read. If you read other books about the USMC in the Pacific, read this very worthy book.