Historical Section, Division of Public Information
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
1947
Contents
Chapter Page Foreword ii Preface iii Introduction 1 Strategic Situation 1 Importance of the Gilberts 1 Plans for Operation GALVANIC 2 Task Organization 2 Tarawa Planning 3 Tarawa 5 Japanese Occupation of Tarawa 6 Japanese Defenses on Betio 7 Enemy Situation 8 Rehearsal and Movement to Target 9 Final Approach, Task Force 53 11 The First Day, 20 November 1943 12 Preparations Prior to H-Hour 12 The Landings 15 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, is Committed 18 Situation on Beach RED 1 21 Tanks on D-Day 24 Hermle's Mission 25 Landing the Artillery 27 Evening D-Day 28 The Second Day, 21 November 1943 29 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Lands 29 1st Battalion, 2d Marines 30 2d Battalion, 2d Marines 32 GREEN Beach is Secured 33 Crowe's Battalion 33 Supply Situation 34 The Pack Howitzers 37 The 6th Marines 38 The Light Tanks 39 Bairiki 40 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Lands 40 Situation Ashore, Second Afternoon 40 The Third Day, 22 November 1943 43 Plans for the Day 43 Artillery on Bairiki 44 Attack of Hay's Battalion 45 Attack of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines 45 Attack of the 2d Battalion, 8th Marines 46 The 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, Lands 48 Plans for the Afternoon 49 Afternoon Attack of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines 50 General Situation 50 The Counterattack 52 Nuisance Air Raids 54 The Island is Secured 56 The Fourth Day 56 Attack of 3d Battalion, 6th Marines 57 Enemy Pocket RED 1--RED 2 Area Destroyed 58 End of Battle 59 Mission Completed 62 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, Mops Up the Atoll 62 Apamama: Corps Scouts 63 Apamama: 2d Marine Division 64 Abaiang, Marakei, and Maiana Atolls 65 The Division Leaves Tarawa 65 Conclusion 66 Appendix A: Bibliography 70 Appendix B: Marine Casualties 72 Appendix C: Japanese Casualties 73 Appendix D: Chronology 74 Appendix E: United States Task Organizations 76 Appendix F: 20 November 1943 80 Appendix G: Brief History of the Gilbert Islands Before the Japanese Invasion 81 Appendix H: Command and Staff--V Amphibious Corps and 2d Marine Division 20 November 1943 82 Appendix I: Estimated Against Actual Enemy Weapon Emplacements, Betio Island, Tarawa 85 Appendix J: Message from Major General Julian C. Smith to Officers and Men, 2d Marine Division 86