Stark and Bitter Hours*
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Date: November 20, 1943*
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Battle Type: USMC Assault vs Japanese Defend*
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Design: Bill Wilson*
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Subsequent to the U.S. victories at Midway and Guadalcanal, a two-pronged advance in the Pacific was chosen.  One of the axes of advance was to be through the Central Pacific.  As early as August, 1942, the USMC had raided Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.  One unfortunate result of this successful raid was a committment by the Japanese to strongly reinforce their garrison in the Gilberts.*
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Makin was reinforced, but even more strongly garrisoned was nearby Tarawa Atoll.  Japanese engineers also constructed an airfield on Betio Island in the atoll and the Gilberts became a key part of the Japanese defense system in the Central Pacific.  The Japanese garrisoned Betio with approximately 3,000 combat troops and over a thousand Korean laborers.*
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The U.S. decided to simultaneously assault both Makin and Betio.  For the assault on Betio, the 2nd Marine Division given the task.  The 2nd Division's 2nd Combat Team (regiment) was to lead the assault on a three-battalion front.*
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Fortunately for the U.S., the 2nd Marine Division had combat experience and was a unit with very high esprit de corps -- for the subsequent assault was a venture into Hell that was later described as "seventy-six stark and bitter hours" on an island considered one of the most heavily fortified to be assaulted by allied forces in the Second World War.*
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A lack of knowledge regarding Tarawa's tides led to a mistaken guess concerning when the coral reef could be crossed by landing craft.  The sea level was too low and only the LVTs were able to cross the reef.  The Marines in boats had to disembark on the coral reef and wade hundreds of meters under fire across the lagoon to the shore.*
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The shore was heavily defended by SNLF troops in rifle pits and log bunkers.  The number of machine guns defending the shoreline was tremendous and included many of the heavy 13mm anti-aircraft pieces.  Additionally, there were also many heavier pieces ranging from 37mm guns to 8-inch naval guns.  The SNLF troops were highly motivated and fought fanatically.*
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The Marines wading in took very heavy casualties and the landings almost faltered.  Fortunately for the U.S., Red Beach 3 was hit with adequate naval gunfire support and was seized with moderate casualties.   Red Beaches 1 and 2 proved murderous and the Marines' hold there was tenous.*
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Gradually, Marine leadership mastered the situation and reinforcements were diverted to the most promising beachheads.  The last Japanese resistance was eliminated over three days after the landings commenced.  The Japanese garrison was wiped out and the 2nd Marine Division suffered over 3,000 casualties.*
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This scenario represents the initial landings only.  U.S. objectives are modest -- small beachheads must be secured.  However, Japanese resistance will be very strong and the U.S. player cannot afford to sacrifice many units.  The U.S. player will receive some air reinforcements on Turn 10 and has two spotter aircraft on call, in addition to the 5-inch guns of two destroyers.*
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The water between the coral reef and the shoreline is shallow and can be waded by the Marine units.  The water beyond the coral reef is deep and will drown any units attempting to wade!  The U.S. player should be wary of the LVTs as transport under fire.  If an LVT is destroyed in the water, the unit being transported will likely be destroyed as well.*
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Unit Abbreviations:*
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Mar - Marines*
SBF - Special Base Force*
Sc/Sn - Scout / Sniper Platoon*
SNLF - Special Naval Landing Force*
MAC Tk Bn - Marine Amphibious Corps Tank Battalion*
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Sources:*
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"Aleutians, Gilberts, and Marshalls", S.E. Morrison*
"Seizure of the Giberts and Marshalls", P. Crowl and E. Love*
"Tarawa a legend is born", H. Shaw*
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