The Battle for Tarawa [Appendix D: Chronology] (original) (raw)

| | 1941 | | | ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 10 Dec. | Makin seized by Japanese landing force; Tarawa raided by Japanese landing party. | | | 1942 | | | 2 Feb. | United States Naval Forces attack Japanese bases in Marshalls and Gilberts; Japanese bases, shipping and installations damaged. | | 17 Aug. | U.S. Marines raid Makin Atoll. | | | 1943 | | | January | Airfield on Betio first observed by American planes. | | 21 Feb. | American planes fly reconnaissance mission over Tarawa. | | August | 2d Marine Division first learns of plans for Gilberts Operation. | | 4 Sep. | V Amphibious Corps become a part of Fifth Amphibious Force. | | 7 Sep. | 2d Marine Division starts amphibious training with transports. | | 16 Sep. | 2d Marine Division reports for operational control to V Amphibious Corps. | | 18, 19 Sep. | U.S. Naval and Army aircraft bomb and photograph Tarawa. | | 2 Oct. | Maj. Gen. Julian C. Smith and staff representatives report to V Amphibious Corps, Pearl Harbor, for conference regarding Tarawa operation. | | 12 Oct. | Maj. Gen. Julian C. Smith holds conference with regimental commanders and staff at Wellington, New Zealand, to discuss Tarawa plans. | | 30 Oct. | 2d Marine Division completes loading aboard ship for Tarawa. | | 1 Nov. | 2d Marine Division leaves Wellington for Efate, New Hebrides. | | 7 Nov. | Task Force 53 assembles at Efate for rehearsal; first rehearsal exercise takes place. | | 9 Nov. | Second rehearsal exercise held. | | 13 Nov. | Southern Attack Force (Task Force 53), leaves Efate for Tarawa. | | 16-19 Nov. | Preliminary bombardment and shelling of Tarawa in progress. | | 20 Nov. | 2d Marine Division lands on Betio, 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d and 3d Battalions, 2d Marines in assault; 1st Battalion, 2d Marines and 3d Battalion, 8th Marines land in reserve. Small beachhead established by sundown. | | 21 Nov. | 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, lands on RED 2. 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, is sent to Bairiki. 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, lands on GREEN Beach. Beachhead expanded slightly during the day. |