“Black Beach Rendez-Vous” PTO (id:#65460)

(From The Cellar Pack#10 ID: FT297)   [next]   [previous]

Betio, Tarawa atoll, Gilbert Island 1943-11-22 (14 others)

Overview:

Major Kyle and Capt. Williams and their small command numbering less than fifty men had cut the island in half on D+1. However, with no working radio and their position too exposed to send out runners to alert Col. Shoup to their location, the force spent a harrowing night alone and isolated and awaiting a Japanese night counterattack, which fortunately never materialized. With the breaking dawn, the machine gun duels versus scattered Japanese positions, which had characterized much of the previous day’s fighting, renewed their deadly staccato. Unbeknown to Major Kyle, a relief force was preparing to get underway on Green Beach to drive from west to east along the southern shore of the atoll.

Defender: American (USMC) ("Major Kyle's Force", elements of 1st and 2nd Battalions, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division / Elements of C Company, 2nd Marine Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division / Elements of C Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines)  

Errata (source)