WAR IN THE MARIANAS

A tank used on the Red Beach Night Attack that has been repainted

Red Beach Night Attack 

On the night of the 16th June, we carried out a large-scale night attack. One battalion broke through a portion of the enemy’s line....but we suffered great losses. - Captain Taisa Shimamura -

The battle evolved itself into a madhouse of noise tracers, and flashing lights. As tanks were hit and set afire, they shilhoutted other tanks coming out of the flickering shadows. - Major James Donovan -

Near here about 1,000 Japanese infantrymen joined 44 tanks in a powerful counterattack against the Marines holding Red Beach. This was the first large-scale tank battle of the
Pacific War. At first light the next morning, Marines counted 31 tanks burning on the battlefield.

Two days’ fighting on this beachhead cost the U.S. 2nd Marine Division 3,500 casualties.