THE GILBERT AND ELLICE ISLANDS: Pacific War Images of War Series

1-221600

Another in the Images of War series covers the dramatic events that befell both the Gilbert and Ellice Pacific island groups using a wealth of well-captioned photos and informed text. Includes 250 black and white illustrations.

Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Gilbert Islands were occupied by the Japanese who built a seaplane base at Butaritari. In August 1942 this base was attacked by the US 2nd Raider Battalion (Carlson's Raiders). As a result the base was reinforced and a second built at Apamana. Betio Island on the Tarawa Atoll became the main Japanese strong point.

Operation Galvanic, the US assault on Butarita, Apamana, and Betio, was launched in November 1943 by the 2nd Marine Division and the 27th Infantry Division. While short in duration, the Betio battle has the dubious distinction of being the most costly in US Marine Corps history.