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World War II
Episode133

April 07, 2025

Khaki Shirts and Bayonets: Marines Storm Tarawa

Khaki Shirts and Bayonets: Marines Storm Tarawa
42:41
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We just finished the brutal slog through the Solomons, and now we're following the Central Pacific drive straight into Tarawa. This wasn't jungle fighting, it was open beach and shallow reefs, turning a straightforward landing into a nightmare. Marines found themselves stranded, wading through chest-deep water under relentless fire. Communication fell apart, and every yard gained came at a heavy cost. Today, we're diving into the chaos and courage at Tarawa.

References

  1. Alexander, J. H. (1993). Across the reef: The Marine assault of Tarawa. Marine Corps Historical Center. https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Across%20the%20Reef%20-%20The%20Marine%20Assault%20of%20Tarawa%20%20PCN%2019000312000.pdf
  2. Alexander, J. H. (1993). Baptism by fire: Sherman tanks at Tarawa. Leatherneck, 76(11), 34–37.
  3. Brown, R. E. (n.d.). Tarawa lest we forget. Marine Corps Gazette, 32(3), 42–47.
  4. Emmons, R. M. (1948). Tarawa bombardment. Marine Corps Gazette, 32(3), 42–47.
  5. Haley, J. F. (n.d.). Reconnaissance at Tarawa Atoll. Archives West. https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv510612
  6. McQuarrie, P. (2023). Fast-carrier attack against Tarawa. Naval History Magazine, 37(6). https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2023/december/fast-carrier-attack-against-tarawa
  7. Metcalf, C. (n.d.). This was Tarawa. Marine Corps Gazette.
  8. Naughton, P. (2022). The Pacific strategy in World War II: Lessons for China's antiaccess/area denial perimeter. Naval History Magazine, 36(3). https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/june/pacific-strategy-world-war-ii-lessons-chinas
  9. Office of the Historian. (n.d.). The Casablanca Conference, 1943. U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/casablanca
  10. Rixey, P. M., & Best, W. H. (1944). Artillery at Tarawa. Marine Corps Gazette, 28(11), 34–37.
  11. Sherrod, R. (1944). Tarawa: The second day. Time. https://www.ww2today.com/21-november-1943-the-second-desperate-day-on-tarawa
  12. Stockman, J. R. (1947). The battle for Tarawa. Historical Section, Division of Public Information, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000596766
  13. U.S. Department of State. (1943). First Quebec Conference (August 1943). In Foreign Relations of the United States. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943/comp2
  14. U.S. Department of State. (1943). Third Washington Conference (May 1943). In Foreign Relations of the United States. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943/comp1

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