Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign

Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II

An SBD Dauntless flies patrol over USS Washington and USS Lexington during the Gilbert and Marshall islands campaign.
DateAugust 1942 – February 1944
Location
Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
 United States
 Gilbert and Ellice Islands
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Casualties and losses
  • ~5,100 killed or missing
  • 6,700 wounded
  • ~21,000 killed
  • 375 captured

The Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign were a series of battles fought from August 1942 through February 1944, in the Pacific theatre of World War II between the United States and Japan. They were the first steps of the drive across the Central Pacific by the United States Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps. The purpose was to establish airfields and naval bases that would allow air and naval support for upcoming operations across the Central Pacific. Operation Galvanic and Operation Kourbash were the code names for the Gilberts campaign (in modern Kiribati) that included the seizures of Tarawa and Makin, during the Battle of Tarawa on 20–23 November and the Battle of Makin on 20–24 November 1943. Operation Flintlock and Operation Catchpole were aimed at capturing Japanese bases at Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Majuro in the Marshall Islands.


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