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#Post#: 27--------------------------------------------------
Tank - after fighting
By: jstevens Date: November 1, 2019, 2:01 pm
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Okey doak, here is an interesting photo of a tank just off the
runway at Hawkins Field after the SeaBees had been there awhile.
THe airport looks fairly busy too. Any idea what tank that is
or what may have happened to it? My first guess is that this is
Cuddles.
#Post#: 28--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tank - after fighting
By: gunnygp Date: November 2, 2019, 1:51 pm
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Interesting find Jon. My guess, since the tank seems to be
leaning to the right, would be CANNONBALL, which was removed
from the enemy fuel drum pit where the right side and suspension
was severely damaged by the explosion of her ammo lockers when
the fuel drums caught fire. The tank, as well as COMMANDO, both
burned out and were not 'backloaded' and returned to Hawaii with
the rest of the company. I personally suspect that both ended up
as fill for the new pier construction but have no proof. They
had no value otherwise. Attached is a pic of CANNONBALL siting
on the pierhead. Here is a pic of the fuel pit from which the
tank was removed. Note the center runway airplane revetment in
the background. Lens optics of course makes the revetment seem
much closer to the fuel pit. Finally of the tank in the pit. A
very much published pic.
#Post#: 30--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tank - after fighting
By: jstevens Date: November 4, 2019, 11:52 am
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Very interesting! I assume the pier must have been
replaced/dredged/improved in the last 75 years so these wrecks
are long gone.
Have you pinpointed Cannonball's crater on an aerial photo?
JOn
#Post#: 39--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tank - after fighting
By: gunnygp Date: November 7, 2019, 3:18 pm
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Find and enlarge the aerial NH 95707 Jon. Under the tail of the
aircraft you can see CANNONBALL resting in the fuel drum storage
pit behind the log revetment. You can also see Marines in the
nearby trenches and walking around the revetment area. The pic
is too large on my PC to post here.
#Post#: 49--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tank - after fighting
By: jstevens Date: November 13, 2019, 5:27 pm
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Found it. I never would have noticed that! Thanks.
#Post#: 60--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tank - after fighting
By: Kim Harrison Date: December 6, 2019, 3:07 am
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Photo taken 28 June 1959
As u can see, to the left of the then modern pier and harbour,
you can see the shadow of the 1940s pier and sea plane ramp, the
large dark Y shape.
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