A Special Valor PTO (id:#56143)

Multi-Man Publishing (HASL 5 - Blood Reef: Tarawa ID: BRT CG II)   [next]   [previous]

Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands 1943-11-20 (26 others)

Overview:

The intense problems inherent to an amphibious assault on a hostile shore could not have been shown more vividly than in the area of Red Beaches One and Two. Physically separated from Red Beach Three by the central pier. This area also featured a cove which enabled the Japanese to subject the invading force to a murderous crossfire. The beaches were also well-protected by some serendipitous planning; heavy anti-aircraft guns had been placed on the “chin” of the Bird’s Beak to cover likely air approaches to the runway and to provide long range fire towards the other islands in the Tarawa Atoll. Although the Japanese gunners set the fuses on the AA rounds too high, gaining little effect on their planned targets, the high explosive rounds proved perfect for hitting the LCVPs as they dropped their bow ramps at the reef edges. As the Marines jumped into the water, they were immediately faced with the unenviable choice of drowning in a hole or standing in less than a foot of water in the face of intense fire coming from the AA guns, heavy weapons, or from machine guns some brave defenders had set up in a rusting hulk behind them and on positions under the long central pier. The way to the beaches was slow-going.

Defender: Japanese (3rd Special Base Force/Island Command/11th Construction Battalion/1st and 2nd Companies, 7th Special Naval Landing Force/Reserve Pool)  

Errata (source)