Robert Leckie · 1957 · sea

Robert Leckie's memoir of his service as a Marine in the Pacific, by turns brutal, funny and lyrical. From boot camp Leckie ships out with the First Marine Division for the first American offensive of the war and fights across the islands, from Guadalcanal to the jungles of New Britain to bloody Peleliu. The route follows him from Carolina to the far Pacific.

1. 1
   Parris Island

   Robert Leckie enlists and is hammered into a Marine at Parris Island, then ships out with the First Marine Division for the South Pacific by way of the Panama Canal.

2. 2
   Guadalcanal

   On Guadalcanal the green division fights the first American land offensive of the war, holding the line against night attacks in the steaming jungle.

3. 3
   Melbourne

   Sick and exhausted, the division is pulled back to Melbourne, where the Marines are feted as heroes and savour a season of reprieve.

4. 4
   Cape Gloucester

   Back into action at Cape Gloucester on New Britain, fighting through rain forest and mud against a stubborn enemy.

5. 5
   Peleliu

   On the coral furnace of Peleliu, Leckie is wounded and his war as a frontline Marine comes to its end.