FH2 Campaign #18 - The Rising Sun: Battle #5 Tarawa

CMP FH2 Campaign #18: The Rising Sun
 

Battle #5: Tarawa

History 

"In order to set up forward air bases capable of supporting operations across the mid-Pacific, the U.S. planned to take the Gilbert Islands. The American invasion force to the Gilberts was the largest yet assembled for a single operation in the Pacific, and the Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region.
It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. The uniform worn by the soldiers on Tarawa was the then brand-new initial production version of the reversible 1942 pattern camouflage utilities.
The uniform was reversible, with a dominantly green and brown “jungle” printed camouflage pattern on one side, and a dominantly brown and tan “beachhead” pattern on the other. The helmet camouflage cover was issued in a similar reversible pattern.
At this point in the war, the Marines were gradually being issued with the new standard caliber .30 M1 rifle, the iconic "Garand." However, many Marines still retained the Springfield bolt action as they landed on the beaches. "