| As their crews prepare for the invasion of Cape Sansapor, Coast Guardsman Robert Campbell stands watch over LVT(A)-1 Amtracs on the beach in Maffin Bay. The LVT(A)-1 had a M3 tank turret with a 37mm gun. At 0730 Hours on July 30, 1944, an LST launched 12 LVT(A)-1s and 4 LVTs, carrying the Sixth Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop to Middleburg Island just off Cape Sansapor. Allied planners felt that Middleburg offered a place to quickly build an airstrip. The island was unoccupied, and the Sixth Cavalry, minus a garrison force, was moved to Cape Sansapor the same day. One man was killed when a 37mm gun accidentally discharged. Seabees constructed an airfield on Middleburg that was in operation by August 17. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1326.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.92 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2904 x 2238 |
| Photographer | Unknown |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 20, 1944 |
| Location | 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop |
| City | Maffin Bay |
| State or Province | Wakde |
| Country | New Guinea |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2007, ©2024 MFA Productions LLC Image in the Public Domain |
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