This 2nd Raider Battalion Marine is from the 1942 Makin Island Raid. For that raid, each Marine turned in a set of khaki service uniforms which were dyed black. Most of the Mairnes wore black tennis shoes for the raid as well. He is armed with a Thompson M1924A1 sub-machine gun and a number of hand grenades. The Thompson utilized 20 round magazines.
On his web gear is a canteen, document pouch, first aid kit, and the Collins No. 18 “Gung Ho” knife with a 9 inch blade. The miniature is based on gravel taken from Kiyamu-Gusuku Ridge where the 1st Marine Division, to include 1st and 3rd Battalions 8th Marines, wiped out the remnants of the 62nd Division of the Imperial Japanese Army in the last major action by Marines on 21 June 1945. Kiyamu-Gusuku Ridge is the ridge line running east to west from Heiwasozonomori Park on the southern tip of the island; the gravel was collected in March 2016.
This officer is armed with a Type 94 kyuyon-shiki gunto sword manufactured since 1934, it has two hanging points on the scabbard which was made of metal and wood with brass mountings. He wears an cotton field cap on his head, and standard uniform in olive green throughout. On his right hip is the leather holster for his Type 14 Nambu 7x20mm semi-automatic pistol issued to non-commissioned officers beginning in 1927 and available for officers to purchase.
On his back is a map case. The miniature is based on sand from Okinawa’s Red 2 Beach where elements of 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion 4th Marines came ashore on 1 April 1945. Red 2 is located on the north end of Tori Station and the “beach” is enclosed on three sides by coral rock and has coral running all the way to the rock sea wall. The sand was collected in March 2016.
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