The forested mountains of Kāpiti became practice ground for tropical jungle, its sand dunes resounded to small-arms fire, and its beaches were attacked in practice manoeuvres by landing craft.
The night of June 20, 1943 was pitch dark. The surf was heavy when the motor went dead on last boat left, carrying the ‘beach party’ of 25 sailors. About 11 p.m. a powerful LCM1 had attached a thick towline to the smaller landing craft, but when it started for the ship a huge wave overturned it dumping the men in icy turbulent water. Those picked up by the rescue boats were close to freezing. Next morning nine bodies were found on the beach – one man was never discovered. Find out more about this tragic incident…
HIT IT. Marines land from their Higgins Boat through the surf to a So. Pac. Beach head.
Martins Bay
March 25, 1943
Cpl. Paul Dorsey
50 After starboard view of 75mm pack Howitzer showing weapon ready for firing. Note 'U' bolt which holds gun axle to track. Also note that brass shim is placed between gun axle and frame's 'U' bolt to prevent axle from scoring.
Wellington, N.Z. Hutt Park
Aug. 1, 1943
Cpl. Jim Ross Orton
Loading operation is completed and davit is free to handle another load. Six men can successfully load full cargo of gasoline drums of Amphibian Tractor through use of the davit.
Wellington, N.Z. Hutt Park
Aug. 1, 1943
SSgt. Jefferson Sutton
Shore parties of Marines unloading ammition.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
Sgt. Roy E. Olund, 2nd Mar. Div.
Tank lighter pulling stranded landing boat off beach.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
Sgt. Roy E. Olund, 2nd Mar. Div.
Landing parties from the second wave.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
Sgt. Roy E. Olund
Members of 1st Battallion, 10th Marines, bringing artillery ashore.
Photo by Sgt. Roy E. Olund, 2nd Marine Division Photo Section,
Capt. Charles L. Hayward, Photo Officer.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
Sgt. Roy E. Olund
Second wave coming in. Smoke is from exploded mines on beach.
New ZealandSgt.
Roy E. Olund 2nd Mar. Div. Photo Section,
Capt. Charles L. Hayward, Photo Officer.
This tank has just been landed by Marines. Crew in foreground is hauling an artillery cart.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
Sgt. Roy E. Olund
Bulldozer crew of Marines, pushing stranded tank lighter off beach.
New Zealand
June 16, 1943
SSgt. J. H. Sutton, 2nd Mar. Div.
Marinesnz.com is the website of The Kāpiti US Marines Trust and part of a major project to collect, preserve and promote World War II US Armed Forces history from 1942-1944 in the Kāpiti district, north of the capital city Wellington, New Zealand. While our focus is the history surrounding Camps Russell, MacKay and Paekākāriki’ we also have an interest in Marines camps in other parts of the Wellington region and in the social history and friendships between Kiwis and Americans during this brief but all-important encounter.
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