Marines in World War II
Historical Monograph

The Battle for Tarawa

by Capt. James R. Stockman, USMC

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


Transcribed and formatted by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation