A Hell of a Way to Die PTO (id:#56142)

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

Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands 1943-11-21 (6 others)

Overview:

Monday morning brought the beginning of the second day of battle for the coral atoll of Betio. Five battalions of Marines had tried to dislodge a stubborn Japanese force from the tiny island without success. The Japanese Special Naval Landing Force, or rikusen-tai, still held 90% of the atoll. The situation looked grim for Colonel David Shoup, the Marine landing force commander on shore. Two battalions had been torn to shreds crossing 2,000 yards of coral reef as they tried in vain to reach the shore. Communications were spotty at best, and no real control of the forces could be achieved. Similarly hampered by poor communications and coordination, the rikusentai had been unable to organize an effective counterattack. The rikusentai had missed a prime opportunity to push the invaders back into the sea in the now receding darkness. Had they done so, the situation for Colonel Shoup would have been even worse. There were Marines still ashore, however, and there was only one thing to do-attack. Colonel Shoup gave the order. As the assault started, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment began wading over the terrible reef of death. The still-strong defenders wasted no time in ripping apart the Marines wading toward them. After spending 18 hours in landing craft, the 1/8 landed into the teeth of the defense due to miscommunication. Marines on the island watched in horror as the proud battalion lost more and more men in the water. Something had to be done. In small groups, men ashore braved the fire to try to stop the slaughter.

Defender: Japanese (Betio Island Command/3rd Special Base Force/11th Construction Battalion/2nd Company, 7th Special naval Landing Force)  

Errata (source)