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 Director Louis Hayward Cinematography SSgt Norman T. Hatch Universal Pictures 1944 Documentary 18 minutes Language: English  Order now at amazon.com Return to |
With the Marines at Tarawa With the Marines at Tarawa was directed by Louis Hayward with cinematography by U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Norman T. Hatch shot on 35mm color film using with Bell & Howell Eyemo cine camera documenting the Battle of Tarawa during November 1943. The documentary begins with U.S. Marines (USMC) from the 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) embarking aboard transports for the November 20, 1943 amphibious landing at Tarawa (Betio) in the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). At the time, it was the largest invasion force yet assembled by the United States during the the Pacific War. The film includes the invasion force crossing the Pacific with U.S. Navy planes escorting and once underway, the approach of USS Frazier (DD-607) and delivery of secret orders to the Marines and reveals their destination Japanese occupied Tarawa (Betio). The Marines are shown studying a large relief map of the island and preparations for the landing including cleaning and test firing weapons and calisthenics and religious services by Chaplin Father Kelly. On November 20, 1943 before dawn the Marines are shown embarking aboard Amtrac landing craft and views of the pre-invasion bombardment and U.S. Navy carrier plane close air support bombing and strafing. After the final shore bombardment, the Marines landing in the face of heavy fire from the defending Japanese. The documentary is famous for a scene showing Marines engaged in combat against Japanese only 15 yards (45' / 13.7m) away. Also, footage of Marines assaulting bunkers, beach defenses and using flame throwers, mortars and an M4 Sherman "Colorado" and M3 Grant light tank on Tarawa Airfield runway followed by mopping up operations including a handful of prisoners, mostly Korean laborers. The film also depicts American dead on the invasion beaches and burial at sea of Marines Killed In Action (KIA). After the battle footage includes U.S. Marine General Holland "Howlin' Mad" M. Smith and General Julian C. Smith on the island. Also, Admiral Harry W. Hill commander of the Naval task force. After the battle, footage shows a disabled Japanese Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank, command bunker and 200mm Naval Guns, described as "English Vickers guns captured by the Japs in Singapore". In fact, they were 200mm Naval Gun Type 41 (1908) purchased by the Japanese Navy prior to the Pacific War. The last third Also, construction equipment including a steam shovel, dump truck and grader and steam roller working to repair Tarawa Airfield. A mere 24 hours later, the landing of the first American plane, a U.S. Navy (USN) F6F Hellcat Tail 20 with a drop tank, followed by a second a minute later and the raising of the U.S. flag on Tarawa and victorious Marines. Despite the graphic depiction of warfare and dead bodies, the uncensored film was approved for release by President of the United States (POTUS) Franklin D. Roosevelt after consultation with Time-Life photographer Robert Sherrod who participated in the Battle of Tarawa. Released as "With the Marines at Tarawa" as an 18 minute documentary with narration distributed by Universal Pictures. On March 2, 1944 at the 16th Academy Award (1944) in Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, With the Marines at Tarawa won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject in 1944. A plaster Oscar was presented to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) due to wartime shortages of metal. Today, a replica Oscar is displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (USMC Museum) with a plaque as part of the Battle of Tarawa display. The museum also has the original plaster tablet is part of the museum collection. Today, the film is part of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) collection With the Marines at Tarawa (National Archives Identifier: 12848 Local Identifier: 80-MH-3527) and was preserved in 2005. Review by Justin Taylan Return to Book Reviews | Add a review or submit for review Last Updated |
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