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08 - WWII - Pacific & Asia
America`s First To Fight by Randy Green
January 1943 - A late morning breaks over "The Slot" on Vella Lavella Island as bomb-laden F4U-1A CORSAIRS of Marine Squadron VMF-212 are alerted from their revetments. Low clouds from a passing front have masked an earlier strike on the base by Japanese bombers. While Marine ground crews scurry to repair runway damage, the lumbering CORSAIRS negotiate damaged taxiways to form up for takeoff.
After months of operations in the forward bases these planes are left with precious little of their original luster. Cradling 500 Lb. bombs on field improvised racks and armed with six .50 cal. machine guns, VMF-212 will be striking targets in support of their fellow ground marines on Bougainville Island, 120 miles north-west. After hitting their targets, the squadron will range "The Slot" interdicting enemy shipping and contesting the air arm of Japan for control of the daylight skies over the Solomons.
Print size: 27"w X 20"h
Limited edition of: 1000 signed and numbered
