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.
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References
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Alexander, J. H. (1993). Baptism by fire: Sherman tanks at Tarawa. Leatherneck, 76(11), 34–37.
Brown, R. E. (n.d.). Tarawa lest we forget. Marine Corps Gazette, 32(3), 42–47.
Emmons, R. M. (1948). Tarawa bombardment. Marine Corps Gazette, 32(3), 42–47.
Haley, J. F. (n.d.). Reconnaissance at Tarawa Atoll. Archives West. https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv510612
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
Metcalf, C. (n.d.). This was Tarawa. Marine Corps Gazette.
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
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
Rixey, P. M., & Best, W. H. (1944). Artillery at Tarawa. Marine Corps Gazette, 28(11), 34–37.
Sherrod, R. (1944). Tarawa: The second day. Time. https://www.ww2today.com/21-november-1943-the-second-desperate-day-on-tarawa
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
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
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