THE GILBERT AND ELLICE ISLANDS: PACIFIC WAR - IMAGES OF WAR

This classic Images of War book covers the dramatic events that befell both the Gilbert and Ellice Pacific island groups using a wealth of well-captioned photos and informed text.

Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Gilbert Islands were occupied by the Japanese who built a seaplane base at Butaritari. In August 1942 the Makin Atoll was attacked by the USMC 2nd Raider Battalion (Carlson’s Raiders). As a result the base was reinforced and a second built at Apamana. Betio Island on the Tarawa Atoll became the main Japanese strong point.

Operation Galvanic, the US assault on Butaritari, Apamama and Betio, was launched in November 1943 by the 2nd Marine Division and the 27th Infantry Division US Army. While short in duration, the Betio battle has the dubious distinction of being the most costly in US Marine Corps history.

Thanks to the author’s in depth knowledge and access to superb contemporary images, this book will be of particular interest and value to historians and laymen.