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Battle of Tarawa , Betio Island

November 1943

War rages in the Pacific Ocean between the United States and the Empire of Japan. The US and Commonwealth Allies are on the offensive after battles at Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and The Solomons. The US eventually needs to take the Mariana Islands. To do that, they need to take the Marshall Islands. But to take the Marshalls, they need to take the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

Betio is the largest island in the Tarawa Atoll. It is 2 miles long and just 800 yards wide at its widest point. As Betio sits at the southern end of the atoll, its northern coast is shallow water and the southern coast is deep ocean water. The airstrip runs east-west and divides the island's main, flat section into north and south. The Japanese constructed a long pier that extends northward from the island.

Early morning shelling of the coastal defenses resulted in the complete destruction of three of the island's main defense: Vickers 8-inch guns. The final gun was partially damaged and is firing inaccurately. Minesweeping operations also commenced early this morning but the closest approaches to the northern shore could not be entirely cleared in time. Coastal bombardment by naval guns and airborne attack should clear most, not all, mines and booby-traps.

First wave casualties are expected to be high. First day operations will focus on Red Beaches 1, 2 and 3. Green Beach attack plans are on standby.