Across the Reef The Marine Assault of Tarawa

Across the Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa by Joseph H. Alexander is a detailed and gripping account of one of the fiercest battles of World War II. Fought in November 1943 the Battle of Tarawa was the first major amphibious assault in the Central Pacific testing U.S. Marine Corps tactics against a well-entrenched Japanese force.Alexander vividly describes the challenges Marines faced from navigating treacherous coral reefs under heavy fire to overcoming fortified bunkers and relentless enemy resistance. The battle lasting just 76 hours resulted in significant American casualties but provided critical lessons for future island-hopping campaigns. The book explores the strategic importance of Tarawa the brutal intensity of combat and the extraordinary courage displayed by the Marines.This concise yet powerful account is essential reading for military history enthusiasts and World War II scholars. Across the Reef captures the heroism and sacrifice of those who fought offering an in-depth look at a pivotal moment in the Pacific War.