Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa

About Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa

"Tarawa Atoll is 2085 miles southwest of Pearl Harbor and 540 miles southeast of Kwajalein in the Marshalls. Betio is the principal island in the atoll. The Japanese seized Tarawa from the British within the first three days after Pearl Harbor. In August 1943, to meet in secret with Major General Julian C. Smith and his principal staff officers, Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance flew to New Zealand from Pearl Harbor. Spruance told the Marines to prepare for an amphibious assault against Japanese positions in the Gilbert Islands in November. General Smith’s operations officer, Lieutenant Colonel David M. Shoup, studied the primitive chart of Betio and saw that the tiny island was surrounded by a barrier reef. Shoup asked Spruance if any of the Navy’s experimental, shallow-draft, plastic boats could be provided. 'Not available,' replied the admiral, 'expect only the usual wooden landing craft.' Shoup frowned. General Smith could sense that Shoup’s gifted mind was already formulating a plan. The results of that plan were momentous. The Tarawa operation became a tactical watershed: the first, large-scale test of American amphibious doctrine against a strongly fortified beachhead." - Summary by Joseph H Alexander

Publisher

ciesse

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 May 2025

Latest episode

22 May 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 May 2025

   Sidebars: The 2d Marine Division at Tarawa; Major General Julian C. Smith, USMC; and The Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces

   This episode explores the 2d Marine Division at Tarawa, Major General Julian C. Smith, and the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces.

2. 

   22 May 2025

   The Significance of Tarawa and Sidebar: Tarawa Today

   This episode explores the significance of the Tarawa marine assault and its present-day context, offering insights into its historical impact.

3. 

   22 May 2025

   Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa

   This episode likely explores the intense and pivotal Marine assault on Tarawa during World War II.

4. 

   22 May 2025

   The Third Day: D+2 at Betio, 22 November 1943

   This episode likely explores the intense combat and challenges faced by U.S. Marines during the third day of the Battle of Tarawa on Betio Island.

5. 

   22 May 2025

   Completing the Task: 23–28 November 1943

   This episode likely explores the final days of the Battle of Tarawa, specifically November 23-28, 1943, detailing the completion of the American task force's mission.

6. 

   22 May 2025

   D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 - Part 1

   This episode of "Across the Reef" likely explores the initial events of the D-Day landing at Betio on November 20, 1943, focusing on the marine assault of Tarawa.

7. 

   22 May 2025

   Assault Preparations

   This episode likely explores the strategic planning and logistical arrangements preceding the intense marine assault on Tarawa during World War II.

8. 

   22 May 2025

   Setting the Stage

   This episode likely sets the stage for the Tarawa marine assault, potentially outlining the strategic context and historical background.

9. 

   22 May 2025

   Sidebar: Incident on D+3

   This episode of Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa likely examines a specific event or problem that occurred on the third day of the Tarawa battle.

10. 

    22 May 2025

    Sidebars: LVT-2 and LVT(A)2 Amphibian Tractors; ‘The Singapore Guns’; and Sherman Medium Tanks at Tarawa

    This episode examines LVT-2 and LVT(A)2 amphibian tractors, Singapore Guns, and Sherman medium tanks at Tarawa.

11. 

    22 May 2025

    Sidebar: Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC

    Colonel David M. Shoup's experiences during the Marine assault of Tarawa are examined.

12. 

    22 May 2025

    D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 - Part 2

    This episode likely explores the intense D-Day battle at Betio during the Tarawa marine assault, focusing on the events of November 20, 1943.

13. 

    22 May 2025

    D+1 at Betio, 21 November 1943

    This episode likely recounts the harrowing experiences of the second day of the Battle of Tarawa on Betio Island.

Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

36

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa

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Books guests

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