WWII US Marine Combat Cameraman - Norm Hatch

The Battle of Tarawa (November 20–23, 1943) was a brutal World War II clash in which the U.S. 2nd Marine Division assaulted the heavily fortified Japanese-held island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. Confident in their defenses, the Japanese commander boasted that 'a million men could not take the island in a hundred years'. This initially appeared to be the case as unexpectedly low tides stranded many U.S. landing craft on reefs, forcing Marines to wade ashore under devastating fire. However, after three days of fierce, often hand-to-hand combat, U.S. forces secured the tiny island. Almost 2000 Marines and sailors would lose their lives taking the island, just 2 miles long and 800 yards deep at the widest point. These extreme losses for such a small island were documented by Marine combat cameramen for the documentary film "With the Marines at Tarawa". Due to the unprecedented violence showing actual, real time combat and the bodies of Americans killed, Hollywood refused to produce the film, and a presidential order was required to release the film. Following notable war correspondent Robert Sherrod's advice that "our soldiers on the front want people back home to know that they don't knock the hell out of them every day of every battle. They want people to understand that war is a horrible, nasty business, and to say otherwise is to do a disservice to those who died" the film was released for public screening in 1944. It went on to receive an Oscar in 1944, and is known for shaping the public's understanding of modern warfare, as well as what viewers expect from war films to this day. 

Norm Hatch was the Marine Corps combat cameramen present on the island, responsible for filming much of the film. In some scenes filmed by the rest of his photo section, he can even be seen standing upright in battle, filming with his large movie camera as Marines engage the Japanese defenders. This figure is based on the famous photo of Hatch, kneeling down to feed a stray kitten beneath a destroyed Japanese tank. The image would become synonymous with the brutality of the battle, and the perseverance of the American spirit. I've included artwork for a sightly different variant of my frogskin beach camo on this figure, intended to look more factory new for a Marine that may not have seen as much prior frontline wear. As always, the equipment also matches the photo, with the binoculars case slung across his shoulder, and the Marine issue canteen cover interestingly hanging off the strap in lieu of wearing an equipment belt. 

This would be the perfect figure to pair with a classic Lego movie camera, or attempt building your own version, to have him filming in your Tarawa MOC. Check out the related products for my other Tarawa anniversary releases to pair with this figure! 

Editions: 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Collectors Edition - Signature by Landon Reimer, hand numbered, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

Figure artwork includes:

• Custom printed BrickArms M1 Steel Pot helmet with beach/tan frogskin artwork 
• Custom printed minifigure head 
• P1942 frogskin camo uniform - beach side 
• Paramarine jump boots 
• M17 Binoculars case with shoulder strap 
• P2 Marine canteen cover

Information: Art and printing by Lando (that’s me!) on genuine factory direct Lego minifigure elements & BrickArms headgear.

Legal Disclaimer: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.