bag-of-dirt:U.S. Marines aboard a landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) prepare to land on Japane
bag-of-dirt:U.S. Marines aboard a landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) prepare to land on Japanese occupied Tarawa Atoll during the American invasion of the Battle of Tarawa. Several Marines hold up an image of their favorite pin-up girl. The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. The battle to oust the Japanese lasted three brutal days of fighting before the Americans seized the island. Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert and Ellice Islands (now, Kiribati). 20 November 1943. -- source link