Hellfire in Paradise: Tarawa, Makin and the Gilbert Islands Campaign

Tarawa the crucible. Perhaps, with the exception of Iwo Jima, no other piece of ground in the Pacific is there a greater concentration of American sacrifice. In fact, this tiny island, which is quite literally in the middle of nowhere, would see some of the most ferocious and intimate combat of the Second World War; a battle that was fought with machine gun, flamethrower and grenade. But why was a battle fought here, in this pristine tropical paradise in the middle of the pacific ocean? Part of Operation Galvanic, the invasion of Tarawa and Makin atolls were the opening blow in the central pacific campaign, one that is legendary for its ferocity. The establishment of bases in the Gilbert Islands was a critical first step on a road that would lead the United States to Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. At Tarawa, the men of the 2nd Marine Division almost met with disaster; a nightmare of coral reef, barbed wire and heavy machine gun. Their story is one of horror, heroism and sacrifice, and it was only through the bra