Changes

'''The Battle of Tarawa''' took place during [[World War 2]] on November 20th, 1943.  The island was defended by 4,700 Japanese troops protecting a vital airstrip from which, if captured, the [[United States]] could launch an air offensive against the [[Philippines]]. The battle involved 18,600 marines from the 2nd Marine Division.<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/battle-of-tarawa</ref>

'''The Battle of Tarawa''' took place during [[World War 2]] on November 20th, 1943.  The island was defended by 4,700 [[Japan]]ese troops protecting a vital airstrip 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>

Codename: Operation Galvanic<ref>http://www.usstarawavets.org/Operation%20Galvanic.htm</ref>

Codename: Operation Galvanic<ref>http://www.usstarawavets.org/Operation%20Galvanic.htm</ref>

== Battle Timeline ==  

== Battle Timeline ==  

<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/CRAIGE/tarawa.html</ref>

'''November 20th 1943 D-Day'''<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/CRAIGE/tarawa.html</ref><br />  

 

'''November 20th 1943 D-Day'''<br />  

Marines from the 2nd Marine Division assault the island at low tide forcing the men off the boats far from shore. This makes the landing marines easy targets as they attempt to gain a foothold on the beach.  They suffer many casualties but are able to gain a toehold on the beach.<br />

Marines from the 2nd Marine Division assault the island at low tide forcing the men off the boats far from shore. This makes the landing marines easy targets as they attempt to gain a foothold on the beach.  They suffer many casualties but are able to gain a toehold on the beach.<br />

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:World War II Battles]]

[[Category:World War II Battles]]