Why this project?
The invasion of Tarawa was important in the war in the Pacific because Tarawa was to become an air base for the Allies. This base would enable the Allies to bombard the Marshall Islands, the next stepping stone in the route to Japan. The capture of the Gilbert would also deny the Japanese these same islands as airbasefrom which they could threaten the supply lines to Australia.
The story we will tell here is of the contributions made by the men and the tanks of 1st Corps Medium Tank Battalion, Company C, and the part they played in the overall effort.
We will be concentrating only on this particular unit, except as other units interacted with them.
Both Philip and Romain (see "Who we are") agreed that Company C from 1st Corps Medium Tank Battalion was highly documented. In fact, the limited number of tanks (fourteen) engaged in the Tarawa invasion gives some reason to say that it was an "experimental work" for the Marine Corps because Tarawa was the first amphibious operation to use medium tanks. The facts and details of this unit's performance and its effectiveness were studied with great interest by Marine planners to ensure that future use of armor in the coming Pacific battles would be as effective as possible.
More details of the problems which were found in this invasion are detailed on this site and we will also reference many other sources which interested persons can obtain to fill in the entire story.
Today, if you are interested in the subject, you can surf on the web and find a lot of information concerning the tanks at Tarawa.
This information can also be found in many archives and books.
However, having said that, we have found that much of this information can be called into question as to accuracy. This is a common problem in historical research, because of a "chain of sources". An author (Author A, who is not accurate) may state something and then others cite his work, which is then cited by others in an unending chain.
By saying this we do not mean to dismiss the exhaustive labors of other, serious researchers, but it is a fact that anyone can write anything they care to on the internet. All too often this information then enters the 'chain of sources' and contributes to the problem.
For us, it is important to have a Website dedicated to very specific types of information; well indexed, using as much original, verifiable, firsthand, information as is humanly possible at this late date.
To be certain that the history told here of the Tanks on Tarawa is as accurate as possible, this website is being built in collaboration with veterans, and their families records, experts, serious writers, and also dependable and competent organizations such as the US National Archives and Records Administration (among others). We are attempting to leave no stone unturned.
Thus; we hope that our website will contribute significantly to scholars, historians and history enthusiasts, and even modelers who desire to do research.
The story we will tell here is of the contributions made by the men and the tanks of 1st Corps Medium Tank Battalion, Company C, and the part they played in the overall effort.
We will be concentrating only on this particular unit, except as other units interacted with them.
Both Philip and Romain (see "Who we are") agreed that Company C from 1st Corps Medium Tank Battalion was highly documented. In fact, the limited number of tanks (fourteen) engaged in the Tarawa invasion gives some reason to say that it was an "experimental work" for the Marine Corps because Tarawa was the first amphibious operation to use medium tanks. The facts and details of this unit's performance and its effectiveness were studied with great interest by Marine planners to ensure that future use of armor in the coming Pacific battles would be as effective as possible.
More details of the problems which were found in this invasion are detailed on this site and we will also reference many other sources which interested persons can obtain to fill in the entire story.
Today, if you are interested in the subject, you can surf on the web and find a lot of information concerning the tanks at Tarawa.
This information can also be found in many archives and books.
However, having said that, we have found that much of this information can be called into question as to accuracy. This is a common problem in historical research, because of a "chain of sources". An author (Author A, who is not accurate) may state something and then others cite his work, which is then cited by others in an unending chain.
By saying this we do not mean to dismiss the exhaustive labors of other, serious researchers, but it is a fact that anyone can write anything they care to on the internet. All too often this information then enters the 'chain of sources' and contributes to the problem.
For us, it is important to have a Website dedicated to very specific types of information; well indexed, using as much original, verifiable, firsthand, information as is humanly possible at this late date.
To be certain that the history told here of the Tanks on Tarawa is as accurate as possible, this website is being built in collaboration with veterans, and their families records, experts, serious writers, and also dependable and competent organizations such as the US National Archives and Records Administration (among others). We are attempting to leave no stone unturned.
Thus; we hope that our website will contribute significantly to scholars, historians and history enthusiasts, and even modelers who desire to do research.
Legal status and policy statement
Because we are undertaking this project many years after the conflict, it is absolutely necessary that we enlist other persons and organizations, and to use materials originating from the research of authors, survivors, the families of veterans of Tarawa or simplyimpassioned people.
Because of this necessity, it is important to us, and to those who partner with us, that we identify and credit every source, and to publish nothing without their specific permission. This is particularly applicable to authors who have conducted their own extensive research at a high cost of both time and money. Authors and their publishers earn their livings from their work and it is not legal or ethical to use the work of others without permission. It will be our unalterable policy to respect the works of others and to follow the letter and the spirit of the law in this regard!
We will be seeking to locate the families of veterans in order to obtain letters, photos and any other information they may possess in order to fill in the history. Once again, we will publish nothing submitted to us without specific permission.
Should anything appear here, inadvertently, which violates or contradicts the above policy, it will be immediately removed if we are contacted and alerted to the situation.
Donated Materials
Persons or organizations who contribute hard copies of photos or documents may have those items returned to them if they so request. We will pay the return postage, and all items will be returned by first class mail unless otherwise requested. In case of doubt, we will return the material by the same means as it was sent to us. If materials are submitted with no request for their return, we will retain the items in our files for a reasonable period of time, at least two years. We currently have no plans as to the ultimate destination of retained material but it is likely that it will ultimately be donated to an appropriate archive. All reasonable care will be taken to preserve original documents and digital and electronic communications as well, but we can make no certain guarantee of preservation.
To our Contributors
If you send materials of any nature, either in hard copy or electronically, please give permission to publish the materials in writing, in the same communication. If you do not want the information to be published, please clearly indicate which materials, or portions of materials, are to be withheld from publication. In the case of the families of veterans, please check with your family members to insure that they agree to have the materials published. This will be your responsibility as we will have no method of accomplishing it. Be aware that by the very nature of a website, it can be viewed by anyone, anywhere in the world. Therefore, please take care to reveal no more than you wish the world to view. We will take reasonable care to refrain from publishing sensitive information which could possibly have unforeseen negative impacts, but, again, we can offer no certain guarantee in this regard.
Because of this necessity, it is important to us, and to those who partner with us, that we identify and credit every source, and to publish nothing without their specific permission. This is particularly applicable to authors who have conducted their own extensive research at a high cost of both time and money. Authors and their publishers earn their livings from their work and it is not legal or ethical to use the work of others without permission. It will be our unalterable policy to respect the works of others and to follow the letter and the spirit of the law in this regard!
We will be seeking to locate the families of veterans in order to obtain letters, photos and any other information they may possess in order to fill in the history. Once again, we will publish nothing submitted to us without specific permission.
Should anything appear here, inadvertently, which violates or contradicts the above policy, it will be immediately removed if we are contacted and alerted to the situation.
Donated Materials
Persons or organizations who contribute hard copies of photos or documents may have those items returned to them if they so request. We will pay the return postage, and all items will be returned by first class mail unless otherwise requested. In case of doubt, we will return the material by the same means as it was sent to us. If materials are submitted with no request for their return, we will retain the items in our files for a reasonable period of time, at least two years. We currently have no plans as to the ultimate destination of retained material but it is likely that it will ultimately be donated to an appropriate archive. All reasonable care will be taken to preserve original documents and digital and electronic communications as well, but we can make no certain guarantee of preservation.
To our Contributors
If you send materials of any nature, either in hard copy or electronically, please give permission to publish the materials in writing, in the same communication. If you do not want the information to be published, please clearly indicate which materials, or portions of materials, are to be withheld from publication. In the case of the families of veterans, please check with your family members to insure that they agree to have the materials published. This will be your responsibility as we will have no method of accomplishing it. Be aware that by the very nature of a website, it can be viewed by anyone, anywhere in the world. Therefore, please take care to reveal no more than you wish the world to view. We will take reasonable care to refrain from publishing sensitive information which could possibly have unforeseen negative impacts, but, again, we can offer no certain guarantee in this regard.
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