World War Photos

1st Tank Battalion M4A1 Offloads from USS LST 202 at Cape Gloucester 1944

The final significant Marine tank action in the Southwest Pacific occurred during the Cape Gloucester campaign from December 1943 to January 1944. This operation marked the end of Marine tank involvement in this region, as the U.S. Army took over operations, and the Marines shifted their focus to the Central Pacific theater.

Deployment and Equipment

After returning from the brutal Guadalcanal campaign, the 1st Marine Tank Battalion was reassigned to support the landings on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. The battalion underwent some reorganization and re-equipment prior to this operation:

• Company A: Exchanged its outdated and worn-out M2A4 light tanks for Army-provided M4A1 Sherman medium tanks. These more robust vehicles were better suited to the combat conditions they would face.
• Remaining Companies: The other companies within the battalion, which still operated light tanks, received new M5A1 Stuart light tanks. However, the unsuitability of light tanks in the dense, soggy jungle terrain of Cape Gloucester soon became evident.

Combat Operations

The terrain at Cape Gloucester posed significant challenges, with thick jungle and waterlogged conditions making conventional tank operations difficult. The following tactics and operations were employed:

• LCM “Miniature Battleships”: Due to the challenging terrain, some of the M4A1 tanks were loaded onto LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized) vessels and used as mobile artillery platforms. These tanks operated offshore, where they functioned like small battleships, firing on Japanese bunkers and other defensive positions along the coastline. This innovative tactic allowed the Marines to deliver heavy firepower despite the difficult terrain.
• Jungle Warfare: The light tanks, particularly the newly received M5A1s, struggled in the swampy, overgrown jungle. The limited mobility and vulnerability of these vehicles in such conditions highlighted the challenges of using light tanks in tropical environments.

Subsequent Actions

• Arawe Landings: Following the Cape Gloucester campaign, Company B of the 1st Marine Tank Battalion supported Army landings on Arawe in January 1944. However, these operations were relatively limited compared to earlier engagements.
• Hollandia Landings: The M4A1 tanks of Company A were also used during the landings at Hollandia in April 1944. However, their involvement was minimal, marking the battalion’s final major tank engagement in the Southwest Pacific.