Hell Wouldn't Have It PTO (id:#57824)

Heat of Battle (Blood Reef Tarawa ID: BR 7)   [next]   [previous]

(Revision: MMP: HASL 5 - Blood Reef: Tarawa BRT5)

Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands 1943-11-22 (14 others)

Overview:

Ny 1930 on D+2 General Smith had taken command of his Second Division on shore. Plans were made for the 6th Marines to clear up the remaining 1,000 or so Japanese Rikusentai. Incredibly by the third night the expected Banzai attack had not materialized. A counterattack on D-Day could have forced the fragile beachhead into the lagoon, stalling American offensive plans for months. The Death of General Shibasaki on D-Day while he was moving his command to another area so that his wounded could use his command bunker, defeated all attempts of an intelligent counterattack. By D+2 the defenders were forced into the narrow "tail" thus allowing the Rikusentai the chance to marshal their forces for the final attempt to force the Americans into the sea.

Defender: American (USMC) (A and B Companies, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines)  

Errata (source)