Chapter 4 The preparations for the second lightning operation are ready

The success of the battle in the Central Pacific is due to the merits of the command and command organized by General Nimitz. Therefore, it is necessary to describe these personnel. First, we have the calm Vice Admiral Spoor Ans.He has been on battleships, cruisers, destroyers, etc., the so-called black shoe sea service.However, when it came to the Battle of Midway, he commanded the mothership force.What is commendable is that in this decisive naval battle, he won without compromise.Spur Anse is not only good at planning and thinking, but also quite respected by his colleagues and subordinates, and he is also very good at using talents.

Landing Commander Rear Admiral Tyner Spoor Ans very satisfactorily, the commander-in-chief of the landing operation, Li Jimon.Kelly.Tyner income under his door.Taine is quite energetic, and he is an active commander. His upright attitude and bespectacled appearance give people the impression of being extremely strong-willed. He occasionally showed that kind of fried popcorn-like fiery temper, and the soldiers who had been swept by his fury called him Thunder Tyner. Tyner, like Spur Anse, was an experienced naval officer. Although his subordinates didn't love him, they were in awe of him.Having commanded landing forces at Katarcanal and New Georgia, he possessed the necessary expertise for the new attack.All ground troops acted according to his command.

Herlander of the famous partner.Major General Smith In order to act as Tyner's force commander, Spur Anse hoped to get Holland.Major General Smith Marine Corps.Nimitz saw what was in his heart and immediately made this wish come true.This courageous Marine Corps major general not only commanded the amphibious combat units of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, but also trained the Army and Marine Corps of two divisions in the tactics and techniques of assault landings.He also earned the nickname The Jumping Madman. Like Tyner, Smith has no indulgence for idlers.His appearance is unusually soft, but the eyes in the back of the iron-framed glasses show no trace of humor, especially in the service, he absolutely demands his subordinates in a strict and orderly manner.

Tyner worked extremely well with Smith.Their arguments were bold, and their opinions were quite fierce.However, they were able to maintain a balance, and as Spoor Anse expected, the work went extremely smoothly.One of the most regrettable things is that no audio recording is allowed of the meeting of the commanders of Spur Anse's headquarters, otherwise, the subsequent American history will show a lively appearance. If you want to summarize these two generals who have made great contributions to the United States in one sentence, you can use three words: professionalism.They are not only commanders who make their subordinates work hard, but also rare and excellent instructors.When the war situation in the Pacific reached its climax, they drew up various landing plans.The staff officers and commanders they trained, starting with Tarawa, achieved unprecedented brilliant victories on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

In order to formulate the Gilbert Islands offensive plan (named Lightning Operation), Spoor Anse took advantage of the command system that had been successfully achieved at Catarcanal.Rear Admiral Smith, Commander of the Landing Force, will be fully subordinate to Rear Admiral Tyner, Commander. However, since this decision was strongly opposed by the Marine Corps, it could not be sustained for a long time. In the end, the two could only face each other with equal qualifications at the combat conference table.Even so, once the battle had begun, Spurianse made it clear that Tyner would have the final say.

battle-hardened smith Since Tarawa, the target of the attack, was too small, Smith did not have to command the Marine Corps as an army commander before launching the attack on the Mariana Islands.The Marine Corps in the Gilbert Islands will be under the command of the other two major generals Smith.One is Julian.Major General Smith, Marine Corps, once commanded the 2nd Marine Corps Division that has gone through hundreds of battles.The other is Ralph.Major General Smith, formerly in command of the 37th Infantry Division of the New York State Army, had never participated in actual combat missions.

Julian.Smith's Marine Division had decided to take Tarawa.Also, Ralph.A regiment of Smith's Army Division planned to take Makin Island, another atoll in the Gilbert Islands.In fact, for this lightning operation, the U.S. military originally selected Tarawa and Nall Island, 600 kilometers west of the island, as the first target. However, after reviewing various conditions and situations, they decided to use Makin The island is the first target. Spur Anse, Tyner, Holland Smith and others, based on their combat materials and calculations of possible Japanese counterattacks from Turuk and the Marshall Islands, believed that the two islands were too far apart (even if they took High-speed ships still have to arrive all day and night), and it would be too dangerous to launch a landing operation at the same time.

Recalling the results of the planning with the two commanders, Spur Anse said: I used to be with Kelly.Tyner, Holland.Smith discusses this situation.I think Nall Island is too important to the Japanese army, because they have been using this place as a base to carry out military reconnaissance on the southern area between Gilbert, Elis in the southeast, and the Solomon Islands in the southwest.Once we have suppressed this area, there is no need to fight for the Isle of Nar! As for Makin Island, it is only 160 kilometers away from the Marshall Islands where we will advance.For the Tarawa operation, it is the place where the fleet must pass.The more we talk about the occupation of Nall Island in detail, the more we feel the difficulty of combat.In fact, how easy is it to occupy Nar Island just by allocating so few troops?The shortage of transport ships for the landing force formed a major factor in Gnar's combat difficulties.As for Makin Island, which is a rare strategic location, our troops alone are more than enough to occupy the island.

Drive to capture Tarawa, Makin, and Abama Hedland.Major General Smith has always been convinced that Nall Island is impenetrable, so he advocated that a division must go to occupy it. However, he criticized that the effect was not necessarily satisfactory.Because Nar Island not only lacks a decent airport.Atolls are too small to accommodate huge ships.In contrast, the defense of Makin Island is relatively lax, with a huge atoll, which can easily suppress the Gilbert Islands. On September 24, while all combat forces of the Navy were stranded at Pearl Harbor, a change in operational objectives was proposed and accepted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington.

Another target, Abamama Atoll, was left behind in Project Lightning.Because the US military commander believes that occupying this island will be effortless.The island would provide an airfield and anchorage for ships in order to secure the Gilbert Islands.Thus came the final stage of Project Lightning, when the U.S. Army felt the need to occupy Tarawa, Makin, and Abama at the same time.In other words, they would attack Tarawa (objective 1) with a weak division, Makin (objective 2) with a reinforced regiment, and Abamama (objective 3) with a company )attack. The 2nd Marine Division fighting at Kartar Kanal

The 2nd Marine Division undertook the formidable task of landing a surprise landing on Betio Island (near the entrance to Tarawa Atoll, where it holds the main position) in order to secure the atoll as a whole.The Second Marine Division once moved to Kadarkanal.One of the division's regiments, the 2nd Marine Regiment, had replaced a regiment of the 1st Marine Division and landed at Kadarkanal for the initial attack.The other two regiments (6th and 8th) of the 2nd Marine Division, the 10th Artillery Regiment, and the 18th Engineer Regiment arrived at the island as reinforcements until February 1943 (Card The day when the deathmatch in Darkanal came to an end) and began to retreat. (The regiments that make up the Marine Corps are: infantry from 1st to 9th and 21st to 29th, artillery from 10th to 15th, and artillery from 16th to 20th for sappers) In this battle of Karnale, Marine Corps Division Commander John.Rear Admiral Marston did not land.The reason is: Marston is more senior than a certain general (commanding operations) who has already landed. If he lands, he must take back the command.Marston was reluctant to do so, out of a formality between the Army and the Navy. However, the Marines were still the main fighting force on Katarcanal, and despite Marston's politeness, most of the 2nd Marine Division still shared the hero's honor (President Roosevelt's commendation) with the 1st Marine Division.By the time of the Tarawa battle, the 2nd Marine Division had been commended, and the division's officers and soldiers had been awarded medals. After the fierce battle in Kadarkanal, the officers and soldiers of the Second Marine Division went to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, for recuperation and supplies.The changes in climate and environment brought great joy to the officers and soldiers. After this jungle battle, many officers and soldiers suffered from malaria, dengue fever, and dozens of skin diseases.Wellington was full of friendly atmosphere, delicious beer, and lively young women, which gave them a shot of stimulant. Since New Zealand men are serving in Asia, Europe, and Africa, the men of the U.S. Men's 2nd Marine Division received a warm welcome.They were very popular and talked about a passionate love.Hundreds of couples have been produced as a result of constant alliances with New Zealand women.In the following 20 years of winter and summer, the wives from New Zealand (or Australia) would gather together every time the Marine Corps celebrates, talking about family affairs, and having fun. Received special training at Wellington Wellington occupies an indelible place in the history of the Second Marine Division.At the same time, the soldiers of this division will never forget the kindness they received from the city.There they recharged their batteries, replenished their vacancies, and were again ready for battle. The training unfolded, first focusing on the tactics of small units, and then developed to the maneuvering exercises of large units. preparation.None of them has forgotten that they are the Marine Corps, and the reason for their existence is to launch tough landing operations. In warfare, there is nothing more chaotic than a surprise landing under enemy fire.They must coordinate the support of aircraft and naval guns, landing boats and ships for landing operations, landing troops and their weapons, and indirectly carry out complex coordination with combat partners.Veterans In the 1930s, the United States thoroughly reviewed the principles of the Marine Corps' landing operations and strengthened the combat capabilities of the Marine Corps.The so-called veterans refer to the senior officers and non-commissioned officers who participated in the landing exercise at that time and had a premonition that they and the young soldiers would encounter bitter experiences. In order to reduce the confusion of the landing attack, the command education of small troops was implemented.The motto of the division is to move forward, not to retreat.Therefore, the superior officer instilled this indomitable spirit into the lieutenant officers and non-commissioned officers. If an officer or non-commissioned officer is killed in battle, he will immediately be under the command of the soldiers. In the summer of 1943, the Marine Corps of New Zealand didn't know where they were going?Only a very few people know it. The division headquarters set up a heavily guarded war guidance room at the Windsor Hotel in Wellington, and formulated an attack plan for Tarawa. To break through coral reefs using tracked amphibious landing vehicles In early August, visiting Wellington's Central Pacific Commander, General Spur Ans, reminded Julian.Smith, as well as key staff, about the target of the attack.Anyone who has consulted a map of the atolls around Tarawa and Betio Island knows that crossing this reef is the biggest problem of the landing operation. Julian.Major General Smith's Chief of Staff of Operations Deby.Lieutenant Colonel Shaw asked the Navy to provide plastic boats for use in shallow water.However, this request came to nothing.Because, during their dependence on the navy, they can only use the ship's lifeboat. Faced with this difficult situation, Lieutenant Colonel Xiao Pu and other planners of the landing operation had to come up with new tactics in order to break the deadlock.This is an important key to the success of lightning operations. In order for the commando (the first echelon of the landing attack operation) to land smoothly, why not use the LVT crawler amphibious landing vehicle? Prior to this, the vehicle was repeatedly used as a supply boat for transport ships (between the transport ship and the coast), and it proved very effective.The 1st Marine Division prepared many such tracked amphibious landing vehicles, but the 2nd Marine Division was not equipped.And now, before them lay the atoll of Tarawa. The LVT-1 tracked amphibious landing vehicle that was used in Kartar Kanal is not armored, so it is not very resistant to artillery bombardment.The Division's 2nd Amphibious Landing Vehicle Battalion had a hundred of these vehicles, but they had reached the limit of their durability.The maintenance department tried to make 73 LVT 1s available for war use, but it was not enough to land three echelons of commandos. The division tried to pass Hedland.General Smith's 5th Amphibious Army staff worked together to obtain more landing boats, and the 5th Army launched a heated discussion with the naval authorities.Although the Navy has prepared a number of tracked amphibious landing vehicles, it may not be immediately handed over to the Second Division for use. Although the new type of armored LVT II can be shipped to New Zealand from the west coast of the United States, it may not be able to catch up with Tarawa to fight. If you want to use the LVT II in the Tarawa operation, you must first transport this vehicle to an intermediate location close to the combat area so that it can be quickly handed over to the 2nd Marine Division.Then, they are loaded on the tank landing ship (LST) and transported to the destination.However, because the speed of the LST is too slow, it must go ahead of the main transport fleet in order to be able to catch up with the scheduled attack date. Regarding this point, General Tyner, the commander in chief of the landing operation, was quite worried.Because, once the Japanese reconnaissance plane or submarine discovered the US military's attempt, the surprise attack on Tarawa would virtually fail.However, because the Second Marine Division desperately needs a tracked amphibious landing vehicle, it still stubbornly reaches out for things. In the end, General Nimitz stepped forward to support the Marine Corps, and the Second Marine Division finally obtained the LVT II.In order to receive landing boats, a company of the Second Amphibious Landing Vehicle Battalion hurried to Sanmaoya Island. Here, the company finally obtained fifty LVT IIs, and then the tank landing ship moved them to the island. Shipping to Gilbert Islands. Although the new tracked amphibious landing vehicle is quite similar to the first type, it is equipped with a 200-horsepower radial engine (the first type is only equipped with a 146-horsepower engine), and there are two more people on board ( 20) and slightly faster (about seven kilometers faster).The most important thing is: the armor of this LVT II is not too thick, but whether it is the front, side, or bridge, it has extremely solid protection.To deal with shell fragments, and small firearms fire.In New Zealand, in order to make LVT-1 closer to this standard, the Allied forces have strengthened the defensive armor of the bridge. Mr. Smith's Distress While the landing assault force was actively engaged in preparations, the Navy and Marine Corps staffs were negotiating, and there were too many issues to be resolved. However, time was running out. General Tyner is counting on the summit of Pacific leaders to resolve issues like these.In fact, this meeting did resolve many problems and somewhat facilitated the preparations for combat.However, those high-ranking commanders who made the final decision frequently started a war of words and argued endlessly.The focus of the question was whether the 2nd Marine Division should be allowed to attack Betio Island alone. On October 2, Julian of the Second Marine Division.Major General Smith and his staff hurried to Pearl Harbor with one purpose: to propose that artillery be landed on the small island adjacent to Bedio Island to support the attack on the main target. Mr. Smith is a respectful and polite gentleman, but he has a firm character, and a pair of thin brown eyes with a sense of intimacy, showing that he will take a decisive attitude at the moment of decision.Now is the time to face this moment.He insisted strongly that the artillery must be landed on the outer islands of Petio. Landing Force Commander Hedland.Major General Smith immediately replied that it was impossible. He believes that within three days of the landing force's forcible attack on the Gilbert Islands, the Japanese army will counterattack, and they will launch a joint attack by aircraft and submarines with all their strength.At the same time, there is even less leisurely time for the new artillery to land in order to assist the main force in landing operations.If the Japanese army launches a fierce attack, those ships moored in the open sea, full of weapons and combatants, may be captured by the Japanese army, causing great losses. For Julian.For Smith, this blow was only the beginning, because the bad news he received at Pearl Harbor was what made him beat his chest and scream for injustice! One of his regiments had been assigned to the Fifth Amphibious Corps as a reserve force, to be used for reinforcements at Makin or Tarawa, as the case may be.For the attack on Betio Island, not only the support artillery was omitted, but it was reduced to two regiment-level battle groups (a regiment-level battle group was roughly composed of an infantry regiment, artillery units, an engineering company, and an anti-aircraft artillery company). of troops. If the correct information about the Tarawa Japanese army had been obtained in advance, then, in order to deal with the 4,000 garrison and the solid position, the US military would have to send at least twice as many troops to attack.Even so, the strength of the attacking side is still too weak, and the marines will inevitably fight hard. Julian.Mr. Smith emphasized this unfavorable position, but the listeners were contemptuous. At best, he only obtained a crawler-type amphibious landing vehicle for landing.However, due to his request, the superiors approved the Second Marine Division to suppress Bedio Island first, and then began to occupy other islands in Tarawa Atoll. During the stay at Pearl Harbor, Julian.Rear Admiral Smith's staff were able to coordinate plans with the staff of the landing support force (from the ships used for landing operations, the main personnel, the naval aircraft carrier, the naval air force, and the artillery support for the landing operations, etc., are all included).General Tyner served as the commander of both the assault landing force and the support landing force, and commanded the northern landing support force on Makin Island. If the Japanese attack from the Marshall Islands or Turk Island, they will bear the brunt of the landing support forces. As for the commander of the South Tarawa Landing Support Force, Harry.Rear Admiral Scheer served.The experienced commander (who had served as the commander of warships and frigates in the South Pacific theater) reported to Tyner's office on September 18.One month before the landing support mission was formalized, the confident Tyner gathered his staff and held frequent meetings to draw up plans.October 19, Julian.Two or three days after Smith's arrival in Wellington, General Scheer followed him to report for duty. poor transport fleet After arriving in New Zealand, General Scheer couldn't wait to visit the ship he was going to command. As a result, he felt as if he had been hit by a sap, and he was stunned for a long time! Captain Knowles, the commander of the transport fleet, described the situation at that time in this way: Almost all ships lack crews and communication equipment.Part of the ship sailed back to Wellington. My flagship, Monrovia, had all communication equipment removed except for the basic radio equipment of the merchant ship.If we didn't have additional radios (including the Navy personnel and the Army Signal Corps), we would be doomed. Hill also stared wide-eyed, bewildered.When he arrived in Wellington, another twenty employees were refitting the flagship USS Maryland.Before the start of the operation, it is necessary to set up a central communication control room, but so far, the only possible place to set up is the commander's bridge.When the main gun (40cm caliber) is raised to fire at a medium distance, the muzzle of the gun is almost at the same height as the control room. When the main gun is fired, the consequences may be unimaginable. They agreed that it was necessary to build a landing command ship with special equipment. Although a few were under construction, they were too late to be used in lightning operations. Always keep the target secret Although there were many problems, the preparations for the battle were still carried out at a great speed.When the transport ships under Knowles' command arrived from all directions in the Pacific Ocean, the officers and soldiers of the Second Marine Division and these ship regiments immediately launched a realistic landing exercise.Wei kept the target secret all the time, but the soldiers who attacked the first echelon were already familiar with the target.On October 23, the division was ready for combat. As for the responsibility for securing the bridgehead of Bedio Island, it has fallen to the shoulders of the second regimental battle group (Second Marine Regiment) and the eighth regimental battle group (Eighth Regiment).The sixth regiment-level battle group (the sixth regiment) is the reserve team. The sixth regiment-level battle group took on the task of subsidizing the fifth amphibious army. Those marines who were sent to the sixth regiment-level battle group as a reserve force all complained that no matter how hard the battle was, as long as If you can participate in a certain task, it can be considered a worthwhile trip.If you can't participate in the battle, it is really a disappointment. For landing operations, each regiment-level battle group is equipped with all the troops of the division's artillery, tanks, engineers, and supply troops. The focus of combat power is placed on the second regiment-level battle group. As the day of the attack approached, speculation about the operation began among officers and soldiers.Rumors spread everywhere, and the target was poorly guessed, as many as ten or more.Tarawa was included, but no one knew where the real target was?And the time of attack is like a plaster in a gourd, there is no clue.In order to conceal the destination and the time of departure, the Allies developed several plans. As the years progressed towards the end of October, the 2nd Marine Division was preparing for a large-scale landing exercise at Hux Bay near Wellington.The soldiers' backpacks were filled with necessary items, and they made contact with the New Zealand Air Force, which assisted in the exercise. At the same time, they entrusted the Railway Bureau to transport necessary heavy equipment back and forth. Finally, when all the equipment was equipped and the soldiers were on board, Julian.General Smith and Lieutenant Colonel Shaw, Chief of Staff, went to visit the Governor of New Zealand.Today, Xiao Pu recalled: Only the Governor of New Zealand knew that we were going to attack, and at the same time, we no longer went back to Yamen.The restaurant in Wellington was stuffed with the clothes left by the Marine Corps soldiers, the car was abandoned on the side of the road, and the weekend appointment was cancelled. The destination of the transport ship was Yifat Island in the New Hebrides.There, Colonel Knowles' convoy would join a support force of General Scheer's for the actual landing practice.After three days, the ship's megaphone announced: Hey!The 3rd Marine Division is not bad!They had whirlwinded onto Buchanbil Island in the northern Solomon Islands.As a result, the soldiers on the deck and cabin shouted loudly and jumped for joy. Many soldiers have friends in the 3rd Marine Division.Even people without friends cheered loudly at the news.The U.S. Marine Corps is known for the unity of small units, and there is a brotherly feeling between them.This spiritual unity then became the hallmark of the unit and made the 2nd Marine Division invincible in the coming battle. Tide Surveys at Tarawa Atoll On November 14, General Scheer, commander in chief of the convoy, began to allow details of the targets to be released to the men on board.When it was first published, it seemed difficult, but it was easy to implement.There is no other reason, but the intelligence collection in combat and the correct judgment of the enemy's situation. The Gilbert Islands had long been under British rule, however, until the target was decided, few details were known about the islands.However, the U.S. military determined that the islands' navigation charts and tide tables were not much different from those ordered by the Wilkes expedition (which covered the islands in the central Pacific in 1841).However, they urgently needed: correct information on the atolls around the Gilbert Islands, the shipping lanes, the lagoon (the surface of the sea surrounded by atolls), and the high and low tides.They agreed that this information could be obtained from submarine reconnaissance, aerial photographs, and the inhabitants of the archipelago. On September 17 and 18, the planes of the three large motherships of the Pacific Fleet took aerial photos while launching attacks on Makin, Tarawa, Abama, and Gnar.To carry out this operation, naval aircraft, operating from forward bases at Canton and the Verna Forge Islands, joined forces with B-24 bombers of the Army's Seventh Air Force in attack reconnaissance operations. On the 19th, B24 also launched aerial reconnaissance and bombing operations. At this time, the photos taken a month later became the basis of Tarawa's intelligence.However, aerial photos are difficult to interpret. Relying on the cooperation of vertical photography and oblique photography, some of the problems that annoyed combat planners have been solved. During September, the Nautilus submarine cruised around the Gilbert Islands for three weeks, recording the tides and currents of the various atolls concerned. On the Nautilus, a non-commissioned officer's personal camera (the government-issued camera was faulty) was attached to the periscope, imitating a stereo camera, and took a series of photos to determine the panorama with a clear target.This photo, together with a lot of channel information, was not submitted to the Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Pearl Harbor until October 7th. In order to supplement the intelligence gathered by the planes and submarines, Tyner, the commander in chief of the landing operation, formed a foreign force.These sixteen men were well versed in all things Gilbert Islands.They fled to the southern islands before the Japanese invaded the archipelago.Before this, they either lived in the Gilbert Islands, that is, traded there, or engaged in travel.These people not only provided intelligence to the battle planners, but were also sent to Wellington to serve as the staff of the 2nd Marine Division. The most problematic is the depth of the atoll The most difficult question they felt was how deep the water would be to cover the coral reefs on the morning of November 20, 1943 (the day of the surprise landing). Opinions were divided, and the tide tables were not the same before this, yet no one was able to resolve the issue.Some people say that there will be a neap tide of about one meter covering the coral reef, the difference between the full and low tide of the neap tide will be the smallest, and at the same time, the high tide will not be too deep.However, as a New Zealander, Major Holland, who once lived in Tarawa, disagreed with this statement.Holland believes that during the period of Tarawa's neap tide, the full receding of the tide is extremely irregular. He believes that the seawater covering the atoll may be less than one meter at that time. The marines are most concerned about the depth of the water, and they worry that the landing craft will not be able to pass through the atoll by then.Most of the division's assault landing force and supporting force must use the small boats of the transport ship to land after the initial batch of commandos of the tracked amphibious landing vehicle.This will be followed by a series of small boats loaded with weapons, vehicles, ammunition, drinking water, and food supplies arriving at the beach.The draft of a fully loaded LCVP (vehicle and troop landing craft) is one.five meters.If they hit the rocks, soldiers must transport their weapons and equipment to the beach, which can be said to be very labor-intensive.On this issue, Merritt, Chief of Staff of the Second Marine Division.Colonel Edison said: As for the water depth of the atoll, it may be limited.We've always thought it would stay between a meter and a half and a meter, so on average it's only one.Two meters is the minimum for boats used by soldiers and vehicles. If it is a tank landing craft, it will not work at all. Facing a group of Japanese troops determined to defend the island to the death, Julian, who was responsible for the assault landing mission.Major General Smith, try everything to keep the soldiers who are about to attack the coast of Petio Island from being distraught. When he explained the essentials of the attack, he calmly said to the commando marines of the fourth echelon and the rear: You may have to rush to the beach with your feet, because the tide may prevent the landing boats from crossing the coral reef.The commander of the armored forces prepared so-called guide troops in order to guide the shambling tanks to the beach.For the artillery officers, Smith said categorically: Your gunners may have to wade in and transport the 75mm howitzers and ammunition to the beach in turn. Tarawa photographed from the air From five hundred to one thousand meters off the coast of Betio, the atolls surrounding the islands are a rather formidable obstacle.The island itself is narrower than the reef, and it forms the body of the bird, measuring only four kilometers from the head and neck in the west to the narrow tail in the east. There are two wooden trestle bridges on the north shore of the island, which protrude like the feet of birds. On the south shore facing the ocean, there are many shore reefs parallel to the coast, which are constantly impacted by the waves.Strong and irregular currents flow in the western sea.From aerial reconnaissance photos, it is known that the defense facilities of the Japanese army are concentrated on the south side (facing the open sea), so the landing site is limited to the north bank.At the same time, it was found that the south and west coasts were covered with vast landmines, but there seemed to be no mines on the lagoon side. The Japanese army used the gap in the western atoll as a port for entry and exit, and frequently transported in supplies and building materials.However, according to aerial reconnaissance photos, the fortifications have not been completed at all.The terrain of Tarawa is very conducive to the US military preparing to land from the atoll.The triangular Tarawa Atoll is thirty-five kilometers long, and Bedio Island is located at the apex of the triangle (that is, the protruding end in the southwest), and the bottom facing southeast is twenty kilometers long. There were no Japanese defenses anywhere in Tarawa except Betio Island.Another example is that on the small islands on the southeast sides of the lagoon, the Japanese army seemed to be too lazy to install cannons, so the so-called danger did not exist at all.Therefore, the US landing force and supporting forces planned to break into the lagoon and launch a concentrated attack on Betio Island. However, after careful examination of the aerial photos of Betio Island, it is not difficult to find that there are indeed many cannons hidden in it. It is estimated that in addition to the four 30-centimeter-caliber naval guns, there are eight large-caliber coastal defense guns.The intelligence officers of the 2nd Marine Division calculated the size of the guns from the size of the Japanese planes destroyed at the Betio airfield.As a result, in addition to the cannons, twenty-five heavy and intermediate anti-aircraft guns, eighty-two anti-landing boat mounts, and fifty-two heavy machine guns were found. Judging the strength of troops by the number of toilets After the battle, the main number of Japanese weapons identified were: 20 cannons with a caliber of 80 mm to 20 cm, 25 field guns (calibers of 37 mm, 70 mm, and 75 mm), and three Seven light tanks with 17mm caliber guns and 31 13mm caliber machine guns.As for seven.The number of seven-millimeter machine guns cannot be counted correctly, because most of them have been damaged and buried deep in the bunkers.The absence of mortars on this island deserves the US military's gratitude. The intelligence department had an unexpected harvest, and was able to get a glimpse of the size of Tarawa's garrison forces.It was a very clear photo of Betio Island. The chief staff called it the most successful photo taken in World War II. The photo interpretation officer found several toilets used by the Japanese army on the beach. Due to the extremely clear shooting, they confirmed that several finer ones were used by officers.They calculated the number of Japanese troops (4,836, which is very close to the actual strength) based on the ratio of how many Japanese soldiers used one toilet. Formation intelligence received from the 5th Amphibious Army (information on the formation and deployment of enemy forces. In addition to information on personnel, equipment, location, equipment, formation, battle situation, combat value, movement, etc., it also includes information on enemy forces The records of military operations, and the dynamics of enemy commanders, etc.) show that the majority of the Japanese army belonged to the naval force, and some of them were corporals who lacked combat capabilities. However, there is no need to doubt the capabilities of the Japanese marines and gunners.Judging from past combat records, this special Marine Corps is not only well-trained, but all of them are combatants with high morale.The equipment of the special marine corps of the navy varies according to the mission. When it comes to defense, they always equip their positions with various excellent weapons. Tarawa Commander Major General Shibasaki Responsible for the defense of the Gilbert Islands is: Rear Admiral Shibasaki Keiji, commander of the third special base team (the headquarters is placed on Betio Island).此部隊下有一千一百二十二名官兵，是以本國海軍根據地為名的橫須賀第六海軍特別陸戰隊。 柴崎少將於塔拉瓦尚擁有：以一千四百九十七名官兵所編成的佐世保第七海軍特別陸戰隊，由一千兩百四十七名軍伕所形成的第一一〇工程營，以及第四艦隊工程部隊的九百七十名兵力。這個由韓國人所組成的工程隊，根本不曾接受過戰鬥訓練。 馬金守備隊等於塔拉瓦的縮小，約有海軍特別陸戰隊隊員兩百八十四名，航空基地主要人員一百名，以及第一一〇工程營的四百四十六名軍伕。至於阿巴馬馬島則有二十三名的日本兵。 柴崎少將把三千名塔拉瓦的日兵視為戰鬥員，實際上，剩餘的非戰鬥員亦大事地活躍了起來。為了防衛貝帝奧島，軍伕的貢獻並不亞於海軍特別陸戰隊員。 美軍關於吉爾貝特、馬紹爾群島會戰的正式戰史，曾經一再的表示，塔拉瓦乃是盟軍所進攻的太平洋島嶼當中，被防衛得最為堅固的環礁。這個評價，或許忽略了硫磺島陸戰隊的輝煌功績，但是這種說法是有著充分的理由的。 日軍灘頭殲敵的作戰法 貝帝奧島堪稱為世上稀有的一座要塞。該島的全海岸線具有不讓敵軍越雷池一步的鞏固防禦。計有：涵蓋全面的巨炮陣地、野炮以及機關槍掩體等等，而絕大多數與鋼筋混凝土製的指揮所有所連繫。每個掩體陣地，皆以富有彈力的椰樹圓木與珊瑚沙相疊而成。這種厚實而吸收性良好的防護層非常有效，根本不把炸彈及大口徑炮彈的襲擊當成一回事。如果欲突破這種防衛陣地，除把守備兵逐個的殺光之外，實無其他途徑可循。 除了主要的火砲陣地之外，還有無數的支援槍炮掩體、戰壕以及機槍陣地。為了對海岸及前面海面展開掃射起見，它們的射線都互相地交叉著。從海灘一直到五十至一百公尺的海中，張有帶刺的鐵絲網。混凝土的角材被植於水面下的珊瑚礁，鐵絲網之類的沿著海灘，一直配置到戰略地點，使突擊登陸部隊自然而然地進入火器掩體的射線。南方海岸則有粗大木材構成的水中障礙物，形成了寬達六公尺的死亡陷阱。 海岸為日軍防衛計劃的焦點。日軍陸戰隊奉命以步兵砲、戰防砲，以及步兵火器擊破登陸用舟艇之後，再把全火力集中到美軍的登陸地點，於灘頭把他們消滅殆盡。由於在海灘阻止登陸的戰術太過於全面了，以致，不曾設置防禦組織，做為與內陸聯絡之用。 在內陸部分，飛機用的掩體，多多少少可以當成防衛陣地使用。而且，到處充斥著防空洞及戰壕。巨大的鋼筋混凝土製的掩體，由於被沙層所掩蓋著，看起來彷彿一座小丘，零星地分散於機場的跑道，以及滑行道的四周圍。 這些巨大的構築物，事實上即是日軍的指揮所，通信中心，以及彈藥集積站，它們穩若泰山，艦炮射擊以及轟炸可能都豪毛無損。不過話又說回來了，無論它們是多麼的懾人魂魄，總歸是防禦用的。只要海灘的防禦陣地帶被斷裂一處，這些防禦就朝不保夕。雖則戰鬥工兵很難於摧毀它們，但如欲把它們封死，則並非一件很費力的差事。 柴崎少將決意死守到底 貝帝奧島那種固若金湯的要塞，以及強大的守 備隊，並不單是用來嚇唬人，或者用來挑撥敵軍。日軍的戰略計畫部門，老早就預測到美軍將橫斷中部太平洋前進，以便佔據一個附設有機場的島嶼。是故，他們認為只要頑強地死守這些島嶼，使美軍的兩棲作戰船舶及支援艦艇不能動彈，那麼，日軍的飛機與潛艇將展開集中攻擊，藉以殲滅這些登陸軍。同時，日本艦隊將由土魯克島出擊，給予進攻美軍致命的一擊。 吉爾貝特群島，形成了馬紹爾及俾斯麥群島的外廓防禦陣地之一環，將藉守備隊的奮戰，以及海空反擊的配合，牢實地確保它們，此乃為日軍計劃的實體。然而，由於美軍出其不意的展開了轟烈的攻擊，使日軍措手不及，以致無法固守吉爾貝特群島了。 柴崎少將非常理解有關防禦全盤計劃下自己的任務。例如：他認為無論其他的島嶼產生了何種的失策，絕不會影響及他死守塔拉瓦的決心。一名於該島成了俘虜的日本人云：柴崎少將說過，即使美軍派遣百萬大眾，耗費百年的光陰，仍然別夢想佔領貝帝奧島。 第二陸戰師約有五十五％的士兵屬於身歷百戰的老兵，但卻只有少數參加過抵抗激烈的登陸作戰。然而，由於滯留紐西蘭的時期舉行過數次幾可亂真的登陸演習，是故，尚能通曉有關登陸用舟艇、船上的各種行動，以及登陸作戰的技術。他們之所以在易法特島（新喀里多尼亞東北方）稍事停留，乃是欲實施有關塔拉瓦作戰的預行演習，並去除作戰計劃不妥當之點，對全員細解有關登陸作戰的程序之故。 突擊登陸部隊於梅爾灣（易法特島）舉行了登陸演習，火力支援艦則於潘克岬展開了艦炮射擊演習。在預定展開攻擊的那一天，實施航空支援的高速母艦為了準備攻擊起見，團團地忙碌著。然而母艦機卻未參加演習。在講評了第一次演習的不當之處之後，接著又展開了第二次全面性的演習。陸戰隊又於梅爾灣重複登陸演習，軍艦則改用實彈射擊。 當美軍於易法特島稍事休養之時，預定擔當突擊登陸團級戰鬥群指揮官的威廉．馬歇爾陸戰上校卻病倒了。是故，朱利安．史密斯少將非得起用另外的軍官不可了。考慮再三的結果，他終於選擇了作戰主任參謀（最精通該師作戰計劃）蕭普中校來替代，並晉升了他的軍階。蕭普上校掌起了第二陸戰團的指揮，並帶來了代理作戰主任的狄克遜．克恩中校。 在貝卡卡利其營地之際，蕭普上校與第二陸戰團的軍官同起居，並與官兵們共同進膳，因而，老早就與官兵們打成一片，彼此之間的感情尚稱和睦。 矮胖、固執己見、頸項粗大，喜歡口出穢言的這位新任團長，堪稱是最適合於領導此回登陸作戰的指揮官。 塔拉瓦孤立作戰 當熙爾將軍的南方登陸支援部隊（第五十二任務部隊）尚在新赫布里底島演習之時，美軍即展開了一連串的準備作戰，以便使塔拉瓦孤立化，削減日軍的防衛戰力。八、九兩月，美軍先後佔領了納諾美亞及諾克費出環礁（易利斯群島內），以及貝爾島（吉爾貝特群島東方）的最新進基地。到了十月九月，這三個機場即能夠派上用場了。 陸軍第七航空軍的Ｂ二十四轟炸機，在夏秋之間，屢次對吉爾貝特群島及馬金群島展開散發性的攻擊。十一月十三日，第七航空軍以日軍機場為主要目標，展開了一連串的攻擊。海軍的陸基轟炸機與水上飛機，亦對吉爾貝特島展開了夜間攻擊。 派島納海軍少將的第五十任務部隊的母艦機，於十一月十八日，對納爾島展開突擊，十一月十九日，又襲擊馬紹爾群島的耶爾特島及密利島。 這些攻擊，乍看起來似乎已夠使塔拉瓦孤立化了，但是，真正的勝利卻是在兩個禮拜之前，於新不列顛島的拉巴爾上空達成（三月五日至十一日之間，拉巴爾遭受到猛烈的轟炸，以致遭受到極大的損失）。 當布堪比爾島遭受到攻擊之時，土魯克島的日軍母艦立即把飛機悉數派遣到南方，企圖圍剿美軍登陸部隊，展開了一連串激烈的空戰之後，美陸軍的航空部隊及海軍的戰鬥機隊，完全的收拾了日本的母艦機。是故，當閃電作戰展開之際，日軍竟然無法展開有效的航空反擊。 喪失了航空兵力的日軍母艦，自如斷了腳的螃蟹，動彈不得了！於是任憑美機的蹂躪，水面艦艇亦莫可奈何（因為制空權已失去），只好聽天由命。中部太平洋司令官史普爾安斯並不知日方已喪失了航空戰力，以為他們只缺乏反擊的手段而已。 十一月十三日，第五十二任務部隊跟隨著戰車運輸船團出動。十七日，熙爾將軍的艦隊於海上碰見了泰納將軍的艦隊（從夏威夷開出）。於是，此兩個部隊朝向吉爾貝特群島並進。 十一月十八日，果然如海軍所擔心一般，航行於主力運輸船團前方的戰車登陸艦（搭載登陸馬金島使用的ＬＶＴ二型履帶式兩棲登陸車），終於被日軍的偵察機所發現了。黃昏時分，數架日本轟炸機驟然出現，但立刻就被母艦機所擊墜了。翌十九日，又有一架大型巡邏機出現，但亦被收拾了。 從此之後。日機不再前來暗算美軍艦船了。即使他們已獲知美登陸部隊正在行動之中，但卻無動於衷，好似在島嶼的守備隊展開炮擊之前，什麼也懶得去管似的。 戰鬥前夕的不安 在航向目標前進的運輸船上，陸戰隊員已獲知了他們正前往何處了。因為，在全部運輸船上展開了行動，原本密封的地圖、照片，以及命令書等，紛紛被打開來了。在赤道溽暑的天氣之下，陸戰隊員分成好幾個小組，圍成圓圈，聆聽著軍官們的說明。陸戰隊員已經獲知，在開始登陸的前天，巡洋艦將以二十公分口徑炮，對貝帝奧島展開為時兩個小時的射擊。並且也明瞭了有關航空部隊的轟炸計劃。 陸戰隊員們傾聽著轟炸及炮擊計劃。他們認為既然海空實施夾攻，登陸作戰可能不致於太艱難，於是，對此回的作戰抱持著極為樂觀的態度。 他們認為貝帝奧島不過彈丸之地，憑靠著美軍金屬與炸藥的重量，在他們抵達之前，該島或許已經化成一片焦土了。儘管如此，仍有一部分老兵不抱持著樂觀的態度。因為，他們屢次與日兵交過鋒，體驗過了他們蠻勇決死的戰法。況且在這一次的作戰，美軍憑藉的勝利公式以優勢兵力進攻已經搖搖欲墜了（兵力不夠多）。 在運輸艦的甲板上面，陸戰隊員們刻意的磨著短刀以及刺刀，重複的檢查裝備。當分配到輕武器的彈藥之時，心細的士兵皆能夠點檢槍彈、彈倉，以及彈帶。槍枝被擦得光可鑑人。有半裸著身子玩著橋牌者，亦有人靜靜地看報，在甲板上假寐，凝視著海面，好似無視於即將到來的危險。船隻上雖然一片出奇的寧靜，但卻蘊藏著一股深沉的不安，這是不能否認的事實。 指揮官的訓示 與突擊登陸部隊同行的史普爾安斯中將（此回作戰的最高指揮官），在旗艦印第安那波利斯號發表了有力的訓示。 泰納將軍對登陸支援部隊的訓示，於攻擊前日即已傳達給了全體官兵。內容大約是：指示所有的兵種必需同心協力，互助互攙，不分老兵、新兵，皆必需向成功之途邁進。士兵們聽取了此項訓示之後，遂萌出了不直搗黃龍不休止的決心。 朱利安．史密斯將軍告訴他的部屬說：上級司令部非常激賞第二陸戰師的戰鬥能力，是故，選擇為進攻塔拉瓦的部隊。史密斯師長又說：塔拉瓦之戰，將是中部太平洋作戰成功與否的關鍵。此話頗感動了運輸船團的全員。史密斯以如下之語，終結了他的訓示： 諸君的成功，將給我們陸戰隊輝煌的傳統，添上新的榮耀。望幸運之神常與各位同在！