US Marine Corps 1941-45 (Elite) [Paperback]

Gordon Rottman (Author), Mike Chappell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1995 | Series: Elite (Book 59)

While the US Marine Corps was one of the smallest of American armed services in World War II (1939-1945), its contribution to the final victory cannot be overstated. The US Marine Corps may have only comprised 5 percent of America’s armed forces, but it suffered 10 percent of all World War II combat casualties. Above all, the amphibious nature of the war in the Pacific imposed on the Marine Corps greater tasks than any it had ever before been called upon to perform. This title details the organization, weapons and equipment of the US Marines of World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group until reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70. He entered the Texas Army National Guard in 1974 and was the full-time Operations Sergeant of 2nd Bn., 143rd Inf., 36th Airborne Brigade until 1980, when he assumed a similar position with Co. G (Ranger), 143rd Inf. He is now a civilian contract Special Operations Forces Intelligence Specialist at the Army's Joint Readiness Centre, Ft Polk.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; 1st Ed. (U.K.) edition (May 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855324970
• ISBN-13: 978-1855324978
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-class reference source, June 15, 2005

By 

Alan D. Cranford (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: US Marine Corps 1941-45 (Elite) (Paperback)

I was on active duty in the Marines from 1975 to 1979--History and Traditions was a large block of basic training at MCRD San Diego. World War Two made the modern Marine Corps, and battles such as Iwo Jima still justify the Corps existance today. Osprey's "US Marine Corps 1941-45" is quite informative--I have a large number of history books and official and unofficial manuals on the Marine Corps. I wanted this book to help me build small WWII Marine Corps units in minature for display and to develop accurate war games--Osprey didn't disappoint. I did note that on page 9 the line and block charts showed 1965 organizations, but I know from personal experience that the official manuals have errors in them and the rest of the book made up for this typo. First, the detail on Marine units from Defense Battalions to Raider Battalions was amazing in such a thin volume. The "ordinary" rifle regiments and BLTs were not neglected. The period photos showed rare pieces of gear in action, and the famous Opsrey color plates proved valuable for detailing my minature Marine collection. Where there are Marines, the Navy isn't far behind, and this slim book had color plates of Corpsmen, SeaBees, and the crew of landing craft. Unique Marine weapons were also pictured--the M1903A1 rifle with Unertl telescopic sight, Johnson Light Machine Gun, the Reising submachine gun--and the British-designed Boys .55 caliber anti-tank rifle. Order of battle information, too? Unit histories as well? The information is a balance between covering most of the subjects and covering those subjects in depth. I would have liked a book list in the back, but the index is handy. I recommend getting "US World war II Amphibious Tactics, Army and Marine Corps, Pacific Theater," also by Osprey, as a companion volume to this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good history of the organization and weapons of the US Marines (009), June 18, 2006

By 

Troy Tempest (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: US Marine Corps 1941-45 (Elite) (Paperback)

Gordon Rottman has written another fine book, this time covering the organization, uniforms and weapons of the Marine Corp during WWII. Whilst not a history of the Marines themselves, this book has a lot of information for the learned and not so learned reader. As with all of Osprey's books, it is especially useful for the modeler, with the excellent choice of photos, accompanied by Mike Chappell's great artwork. The book explains the difference in the Marines weapons in comparison with those of the Army, and why these differences occur. Not being a Marine myself, I found the book most useful in understanding the special needs of the Marine Corp, and the methods used to address these special needs. Naturally, most of the book relates to the infantry class of weapon, and the rifle was first and foremost. I didn't realize the high standard of marksmanship the Marines demanded of it's infantry.

Also covered are the other types of weapons used by the Marines in the Pacific war, and the reasons they were used. Owing to the jungle terrain, banzai attacks and night action, automatic weapons became prevalent. The use of flame throwers, bazookas and satchel charges for the clearing of bunkers and caves is covered. Unlike the US Army's experience in Europe and Africa against massed German armour, Japanese tanks caused a minimal threat for the Marines, and they used their anti-tank weapons more often in direct fire against enemy positions. Unlike in Germany, the Marines faced more problems with Japanese air attacks, and consequently light and medium flak was more often used by the Marines in the Pacific theatre. Also covered is the Marine artillery, as well as the use of armour to defeat fixed strongpoints, especially with tank mounted flame throwers. The use of .30 calibre is also covered, along with the tactics used by the Marines in their arduous island hopping campaign in the Pacific. The information on the organization of the Corp is welcome, as is the background on their uniforms and personal equipment.

A top read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Solid Effort, May 6, 2005

By 

D. D Lawson (Pasadena, Calif. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: US Marine Corps 1941-45 (Elite) (Paperback)

This book is well worth the time and money for those interested in the Story of the USMC. This team of Mr. Rottman & Mr. Chappell has produced a good book about the Marines and the Corps most glorious times in its proud history. It is very clear to me that both of these Gentlemen have a lot respect for one of America's toughest units and it shows.