14-321 Garand Picture of the Day - Buna - January 3, 1943

[Mark in Rochester]

U. S. Army soldiers firing into the entrance of a Japanese dugout prior to entering. Image taken during the Buna operations, January 3, 1943. (WW2 Signal Coprs Photograph Collection).

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[Snafu]

Always hated that 2nd photo
Remember it from grade school
May have been first photo I saw with that subject

[Mark in Rochester]

Always hated that 2nd photo
Remember it from grade school
May have been first photo I saw with that subject

Here, LIFE.com recalls one of those pivotal battles, the Battle of Buna-Gona, through pictures made by the master photojournalist George Strock—including one of the most famous and influential photographs ever taken in any war, anywhere: the disquieting image of three dead Americans half-buried in the sand at a place called Buna Beach.

What is ultimately so notable about Strock’s picture, however—beyond its sheer technical excellence, and its quiet power—is that when it was published in LIFE magazine in September 1943, it was the first time that any photograph depicting dead American troops had appeared in any American publication during World War II. The story behind how the photograph came to be published, meanwhile, speaks volumes about LIFE magazine’s national stature during the war, and the strained relationship that always exists (and, in an elemental way, should always exist) between journalists and government officials.

[emmagee1917]

Well , looking at thier equipment , the canteen with the shoulder strap , the wide strap across the back , no backpacks , looks like leg wrappings , etc . , these strike me as more like non USGI garrison equiped troops . I see nothing that stands out as US and a lot that does not .
Chris

[browningautorifle]

Are we discussing the same pic Chris? The near body has an M1 helmet, a cartridge belt and the handle of a 1905 bayonet appears, both near bodies have leggings and the canteen carrier is U.S. issue. I've never been in doubt that these are US troops. I even have a copy of the original size photo that I'm currently examining...titled "Words are never enough".

[Mark in Rochester]

Buna Campaign Amer. Casualties

Bodies of 3 dead American soldiers lying in the sand on shoreline nr. half sunken landing craft on Buna Beach.



Location:Papua New Guinea

Date taken:1943

Photographer:George Strock

[emmagee1917]

My apologies . The first posts picture had the canteen , belt and knife as on big splotch even when at 400% . i was thinking ammo boxes . I thought the item at his side was a strapped canteen and thought I saw indications of leg wrappings . I can see now that I was all wrong .
Chris