Lessons From Tarawa and Their Relevance to the Operating Environment of 2011
Abstract
The Marine Corps development of the amphibious assault can be traced back to the 1 Q20s, culminating in the first actual assault against a heavily defended beachhead, the battle for Tarawa atoll. The iconic victory at Tarawa was a direct derivative of innovative thinking combined with a dedication to amphibious doctrine development by Marine leaders during the inter-war years. There are many similarities in the operating environment confronting the Marine Corps of the 1920-40s and the Marine Corps of 2011. As with the climate following World War I, during which the Marine Corps very survival as an individual service was at stake, the year 2011 finds the Corps facing an increasingly similar situation. During World War I the Marine Corps operated primarily in conjunction with the Army; following 10 years of counterinsurgency operations, calls that the Corps is again operating as a second Land Army continue to strengthen. Senior Marine Corps leaders have called for a return to the Corps amphibious roots. Studying the lessons of the Tarawa experience is an effective starting point for a return to the Corps amphibious traditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA600220
Entities
People
- Jeffrey Abramaitys
Organizations
- Marine Corps University