The Battle of Tarawa, code named Operation Galvanic, was fought in the Pacific from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the central Pacific. Zeno, Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In [ Ссылка ]
It was also the first time the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied, dug in and well-prepared, and fought almost to the last man, taking a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses were suffered in the space of 76 hours. Nearly 6,000 Japanese and Americans died. Like every battle it fought, it was a learning experience for the Marine Corps, who revised and refined their tactics for future operations.
Tarawa air strip was soon rebuilt and used as by the US as a key airbase for Pacific operations.
