Betio is Tarawa’s main island, though it is less than 3 miles long and half a mile wide. In 1943 this diminutive island and its airfield were defended by 4700 Japanese troops in a labyrinth of pillboxes and trenches surrounded by barbed wire and minefields. The daunting task of capturing the island fell upon the 2nd Division of the U.S. Marine Corps. As the assault began on 20 November 1943, Marines wading through the waist-deep water and razor-sharp coral of the beaches were mown down by machine-gun fire. It was not till the next day that the Marines, supported by tanks and artillery, could break out from the bloody sands of Tarawa. Savage fighting continued for two more days until the island was won.

A vital element in prosecuting the attack was the M4A2 Sherman tank. Now Dragon Armor has introduced a sublime 1/72 scale model of an M4A2 on Tarawa. The model is of a Sherman of Company D, 1st Marine Amphibious Corps Tank Battalion. Designed to supplement those lighter M3 tanks already in service, the battalion had four companies (each with three platoons of four tanks, plus an HQ platoon) of M4 tanks. This model shows “Destroyer” of D Company painted in typical USMC painting and with an array of markings added. In the Battle of Tarawa, Marines suffered nearly 3000 casualties, and of the 4700 Japanese defenders, only 17 survived. For those wishing to commemorate or model this fierce battle, then this Dragon Armor item will prove indispensable.

Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days.

DML-60331RETAIL PRICE: $19.95SALE PRICE: $16.36