HITTING THE BEACHES
THE FIRST ARMORED
AMPHIBIAN BATTALION
IN WORLD WAR II
1943 - 1945
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This is the history of men, and an uncommon landing vehicle, in the Marine
Corps' first battalion of armored amphibians in World War II. In three
invasions - Kwajalein, Guam, and Okinawa - the First Armored Amphibian
Battalion led assaults from off the sea, across coral reefs, to hostile
beaches, and beyond.
This attractive hardcover book has 446 (xvi + 430) pages of pictures,
maps, and - above all - the personal recollections of men who served in
the battalion. Guadalcanal, life and monotony on long sea voyages, the
fierce intensity of power, versatility, vulnerability, and balkiness of
those amphibious tanks - the Mode T's of amphibious warfare - are revealed
in the testimony of men who fought in them. All the words are those of
the men who were there.
Hitting the Beaches if for all who wish to know more about the Pacific
War, amphibious warfare, or the WWII histories of Kwajalein, Guam, or
Okinawa. For children an grandchildren of First Armored men it is a must.
The officers and men of the First Armored produced this book for themselves
and for posterity. The names of faraway places, historic battles, and
old comrades - of these call up images we cannot forget, and hope will
not be forgotten by those who come after us. We hope this volume will
find its way into family archives, onto library shelves, and into military
and historical collections of all kinds.
Some Comments
A masterpiece of historical recount by those who fought and survived..
Many easy-to-read maps and a collection of historical and personal photos
guide the reader through the storms. Very well done!
From an Atlanta reviewer
An anthology of reminiscences skillfully woven together in chronological
order.... Dr. Barker's succinct introduction to each chapter, his other
paragraphs, maps, charts, a glossary, and a roster all provide a clear
context for the men's individual stories... Well-written and well worth
reading.
Its hardcover pages are a treasure for the families of its heroes, but
also contains dramatic insights for the rest of us... You don't have to
know someone in the First Armored Amphibian Battalion to be interested
in its collection of anecdotes of front-line war.
From a Battalion member's wife
"I thought I knew my husband [of 51 years] pretty well, but learned
things about him from reading that book that I never knew before."
Hitting The Beaches is again on sale to all:
After three years of strict limitations, a new printing makes it possible
again to offer our history for sale to everyone, battalion members and
non-members alike, even in multiple copies. To order click to print
out order form.
For information call either 708-425-4291 or 678-684-3340
Order Form
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