Battle of Tarawa
Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Kiribati (then the Gilbert Islands)
What happened
The US 2nd Marine Division under Major General Julian C. Smith fought the Japanese navy garrison under Rear Admiral Keiji Shibazaki, which included Korean labourers. US Marines landed on the small island of Betio to capture its airfield. Planners expected high water over the coral reef, but the tide stayed low, and most landing boats could not cross. Only tracked amphibious vehicles could get over the reef, and after three days of fighting the island was taken.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major US landing against strong defences in the Central Pacific. The hard lessons it taught about tides, reefs and landing craft changed how later landings were planned, and led to the first underwater demolition teams.
What came next
The Marshall Islands campaign began about ten weeks later. Bunkers, wrecks and other relics of the battle still lie on Betio.
Did you know?
An observer said the tide was so unusual that 'the ocean just sat there', leaving the reef too shallow for the boats.
Timeline
- 20 November 1943Admiral Shibazaki falls on the first day.
- 20 November 1943Admiral Shibazaki falls on the first day.
- 23 November 1943The fighting ends.
- Early 1944The Marshall Islands campaign begins.