Osprey Warrior 112 : US Marine Rifleman 1939-1945 : Pacific Theatre

The Marine Corps began World War II with less than 66,000 officers and men. Yet despite suffering 10 per cent of the overall American casualties, the Marines were able to build on their proud traditions and history to transform a small branch of service into a premier combined arms amphibious assault force. Regardless of its expansion by 750 percent, the Corps was able to maintain its sense of tradition and instil that into thousands of new Marines, and create an elite arm of service. This book follows a Marine Corps rifleman through his draft, training and participation in assaults such as, Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands, and Iwo Jima. Text by Gordon L Rottman with illustrations by Howard Gerrard.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Conscription
• Training
• Appearance
• Equipment
• Belief and Belonging
• Camp Pendleton
• Conditions of Service
• On Campaign
• The Aftermath of Battle
• Collections, Museums and Re-enactment
• Bibliography
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Index