On November 21, 1943, on the Island of Bougainville, the unsupported vanguard company of 2/21 Marines blundered into a Japanese blocking position at the junction of Numa Numa and East-West trails as it sought to occupy the same position. Outnumbered 3 to 1, as the rest of their battalion rushed to their defence, all units were able to consolidate behind a screen of artillery, fired by this and other 105mm Howitzers. (scanned by HOS Bandit)

105mm Howitzer of 2/21 Marines

A typical Marine Patrol on Cape Gloucester. (scanned by HOS Bandit)

Cape Gloucester

A  3rd Marine Division unit heads off the front lines at Cape Torokino. The Marines here bear little resemblance to the Infantry soldiers in the next photo that have just landed to relieve them. The U.S. Army fielded a more complex logistical organization capable of supporting sustained combat over a long period and long distances. Soldiers were also trained for long periods of sustained fighting. The Marines on the other hand were expert at violently projecting power- establishing and defending an amphibious toehold, but not at undertaking prolonged combat. They didn't have the logistics for it. Get in, Get it Done, and Get Out. (scanned by HOS Bandit)