Gear up Marines, you’re going to need more than toilet paper if you plan on surviving Saipan!

 Today we have the LVT-(A)1, the version of the LVT(landing vehicle tracked) That sported a fancy 37mm gun( other versions had a 75mm). Not the strongest , but it was still helpful at clearing out the Japanese defenses overlooking the shore. You would have first seen these in action at Bougainville. 

 Previously on Tarawa LVTs were carrying supplies and reinforcements back and forth(not the version shown here). There was around 100  total, but by the end of the first day only around 30 were still operational. Most of the landing force had to rely on LCVPs (Higgins boats) and were unable to make it all the way to the beach forcing the Marines to swim through the reef, where those who were still alive at that point had often lost their gear.

 Tarawa proved the role of more rigged landing vehicles was crucial, and because of this the amount of LVTs per battalion was increased from 100 to 300.

We'll be covering Saipan more later, but once the panic from this virus dies down and things start returning to normal, you should consider visiting the Island.
It's part of the northern Mariana Islands, so if you're a US national you wont need a passport to go. The place is littered with artifacts, tanks in the water, in the jungle, and even some in designated museums. There are a lot of gun emplacements, tunnels, and bunkers all free for you to explore.

You can check out the other parts of this post on instagram a long with a more grammar error ridden, nearly identical description! 
www.instagram.com/p/B_EPFnoB7l…