Some believe that Stein participated in the construction of the weapon, that he assisted Grevich and Little during its manufacture. Little never confirmed this. He only stated that Stein was a mechanic by trade, that he understood how the weapon worked, and that he could be trusted to use it effectively.
The exact sequence of events was never recorded in writing. On February 19, at 4:00 a.m., the Marines began embarking on the landing craft. Naval bombardment resumed at 6:40 a.m. Battleships fired 406 mm shells at the beaches. Cruisers fired 203 mm shells at the terraces overlooking the landing zone. Destroyers approached to within 900 meters of the shore and fired 127 mm shells at the pillboxes.
The noise was deafening and incessant. The entire island vanished in a cloud of smoke and dust. Grevich stood in the landing craft with 42 Marines from G Company. Betty Anne was wrapped in a canvas bag. The ammunition crate contained 100 rounds. He carried two extra belts in a backpack. Total weight: 21 kg. The M1919 A6 rifle, with its tripod and ammunition, weighed 25 kg and required two men to carry.
Grevich’s weapon was lighter, faster, and completely unauthorized. At 8:30 a.m., the landing craft formed assault waves. The bombardment ceased. Naval artillery fire concentrated on targets inland. The first wave headed toward Green Beach. Grevich’s craft was part of the second wave, scheduled to land at 9:15 a.m. He could see Mount Surabbachi in the distance, rising to 168 meters, a black sand beach at its base, and the smoke rising from the bombardment.
No enemy fire was visible. The beach appeared deserted. Intelligence predicted moderate resistance for the first few hours, followed by fierce counterattacks once the Marines moved inland. At 9:00 a.m., the first wave reached the beach. Grevich observed the scene from 800 meters offshore. The landing craft deployed their ramps. The Marines poured onto the beach and ran for cover.
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