Major Norman Hatch, USMC (Ret.)
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Uploaded by AmericansAtWar on Oct 15, 2007
As a combat cameraman, Hatch has a very different perspective of the war though the lens of his camera, as he begins, "I was living in the movie, I was disassociated with everything that was going on around me." Hatch risks his life to document the brutal battle on Tarawa island as the Marines assault the beach head and take the island. Because a cameraman's combat stance is upright, "it is like having a target on your back." Hatch's footage is riveting and he captures on film the first and only time in the Pacific war in which both the enemy and our troops are in the same frame of film, fighting against each other. Viewers will see this historic footage as several Japanese soldiers run across the screen with our Marines firing at them. Another historic aspect of his footage was showing war casualties to the general public for the first time, as Hatch describes it, "up close and dirty". The film won an Academy Award for outstanding documentary short subject in 1944.
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Ive been a combat cameraman in Burma where I was shot and wounded by a Mig strike my first week in the jungle. Im amazed by the dangers Mr. Hatch faced and the courage he showed to get the amazing footage. His film of the Japanese soldiers running across the frame is one of the greatest shots ever. It is extremely rare to see the enemy much less film them in combat.
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He is a very nice guy, and a good friend! And thanks for serving and fighting for freedom.
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my father had the pleasure of serving with Mr. Hatch in the Marines as a Marine Corps photographer. Great video!
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This should never be forgetten along with these great and brave men.
They are the great generation where would we all be now with out them.
Thank you to all american service men and women!!
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Outstanding book.
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God Bless.
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1.09 man gets shot in the chest
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Zeanu, can you please not send me personal messages, it's kinda creepy.
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Not sure what you're talking about. I did this video and know Norm Hatch personally. I can assure you this is his voice. This was interview that was much longer, it was edited but never computerized.
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Anyone wanting to learn more about the battle for Tarawa should read "One Square Mile of Hell" by John Wukovits. Maj Hatch is used as one of the primary first-person sources for the book.
redmini1 4 years ago 4
Thnak you for your service Mr. Hatch!
Burco1 4 years ago 4