Video Title: (Battle Of Tarawa Color Film - 2-5) Video Duration: 6:54 From: sammarlow77593 Category: Film and Animation november 20: the battle: the american invasion force was the largest yet embled for a single operation in the pacific, consisting of 17 aircraft carriers 6 cvs, 5 cvls, 6 cves, 12 battleships, 8 heavy and 4 light cruisers, 66 destroyers, and 36 transports. the force carried the 2nd marine division and a part of the army's 27th infantry division, for a total of about 35000 soldiers and marines. the naval forces opened fire on november 20, 1943, shelling continually for over an hour and a half, stopping only briefly to allow dive bombers from the carriers to operate against fixed positions. most of the larger japanese guns were knocked out during this period. the island was at most points only a few hundred yards wide and the bombardment turned much of it into rubble. by the time of the invasion it was thought that no one would remain to defend what was left of the tiny island. the attack plan consisted of three major beaches, red 1 through red 3, along the northern coast of the island red 1 on the extreme west at the "toe" of the island and red 3 to the east against the pier. beaches green and black were the western base and southern shore respectively, and not considered suitable for initial landings. the air, running roughly east-west, divided the island into north and south. the marines started their attack on the lagoon at 09:00, later than expected, and found themselves stuck on a reef some 500 yards 460 m off shore. marine battle planners had allowed for ltbgt...lt bgt Tags: "Most Responded", Battle "battlefield heroes", "battlestar galactica", "battle", "battlefield", "battle of the bulge", "battlefield 2", "battlefield veteran", "battlefield 1943", "battlefield bad company", Battle Of Tarawa Color World War Ii Film Wwii Ww2 Usmc Marines Douglas Macarthur Us Army Japanese Empire Imperial Navy Okinawa Aircraft Carrier Enterprise Battleship North Carolina Washington Yamato Japan Asian Guadalcanna American America Philippines Marianas Islands Naval Combat Warfare Carriers Dogs Midway Inj Usn Fleet Allies Task Force Leyte Gulf Pacific Attacks Truk Kamikaze Pilots Halsey History Kongo Haruna Tanks
