The Strategic Turning Point in the Pacific

By late 1943, the Pacific War had reached a critical juncture. After victories at Midway and Guadalcanal, Allied forces prepared to launch their first major offensive across the Central Pacific—Operation Galvanic. This bold campaign targeting the Gilbert Islands (Tarawa Atoll and Makin Island) would test America’s amphibious warfare capabilities against Japan’s fortified island defenses.

Planned for November 20, 1943, the operation brought together an impressive naval force under Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. Amphibious operations fell to Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, while Major General Holland M. Smith commanded the landing forces. The stage was set for one of the war’s most brutal confrontations.

Preparations and Perilous Reconnaissance

Months before the invasion, U.S. submarines played a vital role in gathering intelligence. The USS Nautilus, commanded by Major W.D. “Bill” Irvin, was tasked with photographing Betio Island—Tarawa’s key defensive stronghold. Using a borrowed Leica camera, the crew captured the first panoramic images of the landing beaches, establishing a new standard for pre-invasion reconnaissance.

These images revealed alarming details: Japanese troops digging machine-gun emplacements, their faces visible as if “ready for a family photo album.” Meanwhile, a 78-man Marine reconnaissance team was deployed to Apamama Atoll, 90 miles south of Tarawa, to disrupt enemy communications.

Yet dangers lurked beneath the waves. The USS Dorado vanished in the Caribbean, likely sunk by friendly fire—a tragic reminder of the challenges in submarine warfare. Similarly, the celebrated USS Wahoo, commanded by the legendary “Mush” Morton, failed to return from patrol in the Sea of Japan. Post-war records confirmed its loss to enemy depth charges on October 11, 1943.

Innovation Amidst Adversity

To counter improved Japanese anti-submarine tactics, the U.S. Navy adopted innovative camouflage schemes. Artist and naval reservist Major Dayton Brown developed a revolutionary approach: light gray for tropical waters and darker gray for northern regions, with horizontal surfaces remaining black. The results were striking—submarines became virtually invisible beyond 1,000 yards, even under moonlight.

Torpedo technology also advanced, albeit unevenly. The problematic Mk.18 electric torpedo, though prone to malfunctions, offered a critical advantage: it left no visible wake, allowing submarines to attack undetected. After persistent refinements, these torpedoes would later prove devastatingly effective.

The Battle for Tarawa: A Brutal Baptism by Fire

On November 20, 1943, U.S. forces assaulted Betio Island. The USS Nautilus, positioned as a rescue submarine, narrowly survived friendly fire from the destroyer Ringgold and cruiser San Juan. Despite heavy damage, it delivered Marines to Apamama, where they overwhelmed Japanese defenders.

Meanwhile, the submarine USS Sculpin met a tragic fate. After engaging a Japanese convoy, it was forced to surface and fought a desperate gun battle before being sunk. Captain John Cromwell, aware of sensitive invasion plans, chose to go down with the ship to prevent intelligence leaks. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Legacy and Lessons

Operation Galvanic cost over 3,000 U.S. casualties but secured a vital foothold. Key outcomes included:
– Tactical Evolution: The high casualties at Tarawa spurred improvements in naval bombardment, amphibious vehicles, and battlefield medicine.
– Submarine Warfare: U.S. submarines sank 232,000 tons of Japanese shipping in November 1943 alone, crippling enemy supply lines.
– Strategic Momentum: The victory paved the way for subsequent campaigns in the Marshall Islands and beyond.

The bravery of crews like those on the Nautilus, Sculpin, and Wahoo underscored the Pacific War’s unforgiving nature. Their sacrifices—and the innovations born from this campaign—would ultimately bring Allied forces closer to Japan’s doorstep.

Conclusion: The Tide Turns

The Gilbert Islands marked a turning point. As Admiral Chester Nimitz later reflected, “Tarawa taught us how to fight.” The operation’s blend of reconnaissance, stealth, and sheer determination set a precedent for the island-hopping strategy that would defeat Imperial Japan. Today, the battle stands as a testament to the courage and adaptability that defined the Pacific Theater’s hardest-fought victories.