Marston mat (pierced steel plank or PSP) is
still in use throughout the Pacific today, although not for its original
intended purpose. It wasn't laid down for Tarawa's airstrips because the
compacted and wetted coral provided a relatively hard surface. The tons of mat
that were brought ashore were used as flooring for the maintenance shops,
sidewalks between tents, and as fencing. These sections serve today on Betio as
a pigpen.![]() |
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