1ST MARINE DIVISION – THE OLD BREED – IN THE HELL OF THE PACIFIC

Who knows that it annihilated the Japanese garrisons on Peleliu and at Cape Gloucester? Who knows that it played an essential role in the Battle of Okinawa? Who knows that twenty-two of its men were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, while divisions that have been the subject of dozens of publications — such as the 82nd and 101st Airborne — won only three each? The 1st Marine Division counted among its ranks soldiers of exceptional mettle, the most celebrated of whom was undoubtedly John Basilone. Every one of its battles ended in victory, and it is no exaggeration to call it the finest division to have fought in the Second World War. This work therefore fills an extraordinary gap in military historiography, paying tribute — through 800 photographs, most of them previously unpublished — to this elite unit composed of volunteers possessed of an exceptional esprit de corps. Following Les Marines à Iwo Jima, Charles Trang once again invites us to plunge into the heart of the terrible battles of the Pacific — a journey through documents that are at times harrowing and terrifying, yet indispensable to the work of remembrance. CONTENTS: CREATION OF THE DIVISION GUADALCANAL THE AUSTRALIAN INTERLUDE CAPE GLOUCESTER AND THE NEW BRITAIN CAMPAIGN PAVUVU PELELIU OKINAWA