On the morning of November 20, 1943, at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, the Gilbert Islands, the U.S. Marine Corps undertook its first modern amphibious assault against a well-defended beachhead. Although Admirals commanding the U.S. Navy warships supporting the landing force had assured the Marines that Betio would be pounded coral dust by massive bombardments, the first waves of Marines found the Japanese defenses intact and manned by determined foes. Within minutes of the start of the assault, the American battle plan was awry, and numerous Marine troop leaders had been killed. The assault virtually stopped at the water’s edge, its momentum halted before many Marines ever dismounted from the amphibian tractors that had carried them to the beach. Follow-up waves of Marines suffered grievous casualties when they were forced to wade over 500 yards through fire- swept, knee-deep water because tidal conditions had been miscalculated. 76 hours is a gripping human tale of tragedy and defeat turned around into an epic of victory of indomitable human spirit. -- From the book jacket.

Includes index.

Before --D-Day -- Second day -- Third day -- Last day.