WWII US Navy Seabees Guard - Tarawa 1943

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. 

As with all battles in the Pacific, the shooting hadn't even stopped by the time CB "Seabees" personnel began arriving. Following the attack on Wake Island, the Navy quickly realized it's system of using civilian contractors in combat areas could not persist. These men, if forced into combat, would either have to stand idly by and risk capture, or stand up and fight but risk torture and execution if captured. An entirely new arm of the Navy was thus created, by recruiting skilled tradesman from all areas, and providing military training for deployment to active theatres of war. On Tarawa, Seabees began arriving with the Marine assault waves, and had put the shell ridden airfield back into a working state while pockets of resistance were still being engaged. Across the Pacific campaign, CB personnel would routinely engage the enemy while conducting complex operations in airfield repair, electrical, pier building, and the movement of supplies. 

This particular figure is based on what Seabee personnel appeared like during active operations in the Pacific. Although the ubiquitous navy chambray shirt is still worn, the denim dungaree trousers have been exchanged for a pair of Navy utility trousers, nearly identical to those issued to Marines. Similarly, the black shipboard navy boondockers have been replaced with the Navy roughout boots, also identical to those issued to Marines. For a light combat load, he's equipped with a Marine contract cartridge belt, and army canteen set as the Navy did not have their own unique contract for either of those items, procuring them through the other branches. 

If you own any of my prior Seabees I've designed over the years, this would be a great new variant to add in with them, or just to use on your WWII airfield MOC! 

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:

• BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet
• Custom printed wrap around M1 helmet straps minifigure head 
• Navy chambray shirt 
• Navy N3 HBT utility trousers  
• Navy web trouser belt with brass buckle
• Marine N1 'boondocker' field shoes 
• Marine contract M1923 cartridge belt
• Army M1910 canteen cover 
• Inside leg cuffed dungarees printing 

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.