Photograph. Large group of U.S. Marines preparing to board landing craft at a harbor in the Mariana Islands; they are carrying much equipment and there are many trucks nearby and in the background. Official Caption: "Rome 8/2/45. U.S. MARINES EMBARK FOR FIGHTING FRONT FROM MARIANAS ISLAND. U.S. Marines equipped with field packs prepare to board LSTs (landing ships, tanks) which will carry them from this port in the central Pacific Marianas to combat areas of the Pacific. The Japanese were expelled from Saipan, Tinian and Guam, major Marianas island [sic] by August, 1944. Construction work was started during the fighting and, in less than six months, the three islands became important U.S. military outposts. Guam, largest of the group, is Advance Headquarters of the Pacific Fleet. U.S. B-29 Superfortress bombers, based on the Marianas, have been battering industrial targets on the Japanese homeland. Communication systems have been set up and harbor facilities in the island group greatly expanded. Tankers working day and night pump a continuous stream of aircraft gasoline through miles of pipelines to insure adequate supplies for the thousands of U.S. planes based on the islands. An adequate water supply has been provided and hospital facilities and research units for disease prevention have been established for the benefit of servicemen and the civilian population. Photo Through Rome U.S.I.S. Approved By Appropriate U. S [SIC] Authority. A & B lists out." Mariana Islands. 2 August 1945