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World War II
Episode134

April 14, 2025

Chaos at Dawn: Tanks and Flamethrowers at Tarawa

Chaos at Dawn: Tanks and Flamethrowers at Tarawa
39:21
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The initial assault was chaotic—coral reefs slowed the approach, landing craft were wrecked, and units came ashore under heavy fire. But by the second and third days, the situation began to change. Officers like Shoup, Edson, and Jones made key decisions, reinforcements came in, and tanks managed to cross the reef. Despite exhaustion and limited ground, the Marines pushed inland. Today's episode focuses on that shift—from securing the beach to pressing the attack. We'll look at how the 1st Battalion 8th Marines broke through, how Crowe and Jones coordinated flanking movements, and how tanks helped turn the momentum. We'll also cover the Japanese night assaults and the close-quarters fighting that defined the battle's turning point. Tarawa remained brutal, but these days marked the start of a hard-fought advance.

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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