Casemate Illustrated- USMC Tank Markings in the Pacific

Book Specifics

Author: Romain Cansière 

Price: $39.95

ISBN: 978-1-63624-586-7

Hardcover, 160 Pages, 8 x 10 in, 150+ photographs and color artwork

What's Inside

The Casemate Illustrated series continues to present fascinating topics for modelers and history buffs. In the case of this volume, the reader is treated to a thorough look at all the different markings of the various battalion and company tanks found in the Pacific Front under USMC use. It was a surprise to me how varied and colorful the markings for these tanks were. The author states official documents on the subject are rare- so period photographs and films, and combat and eye-witness accounts helped deduce what is present in the book. On these tanks more than any in the war, tactical markings were accompanied by tank names- chosen by the crews and subject to the tank commander's approval. A breakdown of the units covered in the book are provided in the table of contents:

Each chapter breaks down the origins of the featured unit, as well as where they served and in what campaigns. For instance, chapter 1 focuses on the 1st Tank Battalion and there are sections for Guadalcanal, New Britain and New Guinea, Peleliu, and Tientsin, China postwar. Often, platoons were designated by geometric shapes and companies by letters. So Company C might have tanks named China Gal, Cherokee, Clipper, and Cannonball. There are tables throughout the book listing these names when known.

Throughout the book are 46 excellent color profiles of selected tanks throughout the USMC... as well as black and white and color wartime photos. Some are quite dark in detail and blurred, probably due to age and the realities of combat photography. There is also quite a variety of photos of improvised additional armor present- including planks and logs, canvas, and welded steel tracks.

An interesting diorama idea

The book concludes with 4 appendices- 

• Appendix 1 provides diagrams of the various company and battalion organizations through the Pacific campaign.
• Appendix 2 focuses on markings used for aerial recognition and observation

• 
• Appendix 3 gives a brief history of the Marine Corps Armored Arm
• Appendix 4 contains a map of the USMC Campaigns in the Pacific

A three page Bibliography rounds out the book.

Conclusion

We see quite a selection of variety in the markings of USMC Pacific armor in this book. If you are looking for an out of the ordinary scheme for your Pacific Stuart or Sherman- this is a great place to start. The author has done a stellar job of theorizing and summarizing the markings for the various USMC companies and battalions. The system of markings was used right up to 2021, when the USMC was done with tanks all together. A worthy pick up for your modeling library.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves, AMPS Albany

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