Battle of Tarawa begins as U.S. Marines land on Tarawa Atoll 70 years ago this hour (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (Nov. 20, 1943, at 3:46)

(Saturday, November 20, 1943, 9:00 a.m. GILT; during the Battle of Tarawa (Operation Galvanic) part of the Pacific War during World War II) — U.S. Marines today launched the Battle of Tarawa, the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region, landing on Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The Marines suffered heavy fire from Japanese shore guns and machine guns.