World War Two history remembers the Gilbert Islands for the Battle of Tarawa, the US Marines' first bold amphibious assault against a Japanese stronghold in the Pacific Islands. But there is much more to the WWII story of the Gilbert Islands than a single battle. In addition to the Battle of Tarawa, this book also tells of the periods of Japanese and American occupations, of coast-watching and German raiders. This history of a time and place is also a story of the people involved. In addition to the Americans and Japanese it is also the story of Gilbert and Ellice Islanders, New Zealanders, British, Chinese, German-Marshallese and "Kai Viti" people (British Fiji citizens), who by one means or another became caught up in the war in the Gilbert Islands.--Cover.

Includes index.