Combat· World War II
Battle of Gavutu-Tanambogo
Gavutu and Tanambogo were two tiny islets near Tulagi, joined by a stone causeway, where the Japanese had built a seaplane base.
Both were little more than small hills rising out of the sea, with defenders dug into caves that were nearly immune to bombing and naval gunfire. Their small size left attackers little room and little cover. Marine parachute troops led the assault, landing under heavy fire that pinned them on the beach. Reinforcements from the 2d Marines came in to help take the second islet, but the first attempt to cross the causeway was thrown back. After a rough night of close fighting, fresh troops and tanks broke the defense, knocking out enemy bunkers one by one. The Marines secured both islets, and the few surviving Japanese fled to nearby Florida Island.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 102