By late 1943 and the Gilbert and Marshalls campaign the USMC had finished coverting to the E series TO&E for their main formations. It being an improvement introduced that Spring over the former D series that had been the basis of the 1st Marine Division and its fighting in Guadalcanal and much of the other early action in the Pacific.

In particular it finally phased out the vast majority of 1903's and Resings, meaning the bulk of the men had either an M1 Rifle or M1 Carbine as their small arm. While the M1A1 make of the Thompson as the latest at the time was designated as the one to be ideally used.

While the TO&E for a Marine Division in late 1943, like the 2MARDIV at Tarawa included actually both types of .30 caliber machine guns, though significantly more M1919's. Along with the normal expected allotments of BAR's and M2's.

This is born out in pictoral evidence to as confirmation.

Men with M1's, a BAR. and a M1919.

Carbines and M1's.

Yet more M1's with bayonets fixed, but also just one of the more hardcore photos to come out of the battle even if its likely after the fighting wound down.