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'''The Battle of Tarawa''' was a significant battle during [[World War 2]] on November 20, 1943. The island was defended by 4,700 [[Japan]]ese troops protecting a vital airstrip on the island of Tarawa, from which, if captured, the [[United States]] could launch an air offensive against the [[Philippines]]. The battle involved 18,600 [[marine]]s from the 2nd Marine Division.<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/battle-of-tarawa</ref>
'''The Battle of Tarawa''' was a significant battle during [[World War 2]] on November 20, 1943. The island was defended by 4,700 [[Japan]]ese troops protecting a vital airstrip on the island of Tarawa, from which, if captured, the [[United States]] could launch an air offensive against the [[Philippines]]. The battle involved 18,600 [[marine]]s from the 2nd Marine Division.<ref name="acom">http://www.answers.com/topic/battle-of-tarawa</ref>
Codename: Operation Galvanic<ref>http://www.usstarawavets.org/Operation%20Galvanic.htm</ref>
Codename: Operation Galvanic<ref>http://www.usstarawavets.org/Operation%20Galvanic.htm</ref>
'''November 21, 1943 The Second Day'''<br />
'''November 21, 1943 The Second Day'''<br />
An attack by the 2nd Marine reserves is ordered for 6 am. Of the 800 reserves attacking that morning, only 450 make it to the shore but it is enough to push farther inland.<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/CRAIGE/doc4.html</ref><br />Meanwhile,the tide has risen allowing the boats to pass over the reef and make it possible for tanks to be brought up to the front lines. The tanks are able to cut a hole in the Japanese defenses.
An attack by the 2nd Marine reserves is ordered for 6 am. Of the 800 reserves attacking that morning, only 450 make it to the shore but it is enough to push farther inland.<ref name="sddoc4">http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/CRAIGE/doc4.html</ref><br />Meanwhile,the tide has risen allowing the boats to pass over the reef and make it possible for tanks to be brought up to the front lines. The tanks are able to cut a hole in the Japanese defenses.
"Marine Colonel Shoup radioed the daily situation report back to the command ships: "Casualties: many. Percentage dead: unknown."<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/CRAIGE/doc4.html</ref>
"Marine Colonel Shoup radioed the daily situation report back to the command ships: "Casualties: many. Percentage dead: unknown."<ref name="sddoc4" />
The Japanese marines with their weapons all but destroyed, prepare their final suicidal charge.
The Japanese marines with their weapons all but destroyed, prepare their final suicidal charge.
== Casualties ==
== Casualties ==
United States: 990 dead and 2,391 wounded<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/battle-of-tarawa</ref><br />
United States: 990 dead and 2,391 wounded<ref name="acom" />
Japan: Of the 4,700 defenders, only 17 survived<ref>http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tarawa.htm</ref>
Japan: Of the 4,700 defenders, only 17 survived<ref>http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tarawa.htm</ref>