In November 1943 US forces successfully seized Tarawa and Makin in the first major counteroffensive of the Central Pacific; however, US casualties were heavy. By the end of January 1944. Operation 'Flintlock' - the seizure of the Marshall Islands - was launched: the next stepping-stone towards Japan. Following a three-day naval and air bombardment, the 7th US Infantry Division and 4th Marine Division landed on the islands. Since Tarawa, great changes had been made to organisation, tactics and equipment, and the new methods worked well: the 41,000 troops suffered less than 1,400 casualties. This book examines the campaign in detail, showing why it was assessed as the most successful amphibious operation to date and how it took the US forces one step closer to the Japanese heartland.

Author Biography

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. A highly respected and established author, Gordon has written extensively on the Pacific War. He lives and works in Louisiana. Howard Gerrard has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has worked for a number of publishers and is an associate member of the Guild of Aviation Artists. He has previously illustrated titles in the Campaign series including volumes 77: 'Tarawa 1943', 81: 'Iwo Jima 1945', 92: 'St. Nazaire 1942' and 96: 'Okinawa 1945'.