Small groups of Marines head over the seawall on D+1.
The original map was hand drawn by my father, Gordon Stevens, H&S 2 in 1968 as noted in the copyright information shown below in the title.. He landed on Betio early in the morning of D+1. His experiences can be found in the "Leathernecks" section of Tarawa on the Web. The map displays the extensive defensive system the Japanese developed during their occupation of the Gilbert Islands making Betio Island the most heavily defended atoll in the world. Much of the information was gathered from the unusually accurate maps drawn up by the Second Division intelligence section prior to D-Day and also from post invasion reports. This map was published in the 1985 book, 76 Hours: The invasion of Tarawa by Eric Hammel and John E. Lane and also in their 1998 edition, Bloody Tarawa. For more information on these books see the Bibliography. In both editions the map was cut into three sections and only printed in black and white. Here the complete three color map is available measuring over two feet long and approximately one foot wide. The TOTW banner is derived from this map.
The 76 hrs. map is extremely useful in finding particular Japanese guns and emplacements or for tracing the movements of a certain unit during the short and violent fighting. It is an invaluable aide to use in conjunction with the book 76 Hours or any other publication about the Tarawa invasion. Click here to link to the 76 hrs. Map section.
Send $7.00 (includes postage) per map.
A large copy of the "76 Hours" map is available measuring is 36x80 inches. The price is $20.00 per map.
Included with every map order is a copy of another map prepared by the Joint Intelligence Center in October 1943, detailing the function of every significant building on Betio.
Too Young To Vote: A-1-10 Second Marine Division by Robert L. George, Reviewed 5 February 2001
To Order Call: 1-800-954-9161
For more information email Mr. George at [email protected]
or order the book on his website.
| Martin Russ | Line of Departure | $7.00 |
| Wyeth Willard | The Leathernecks Come Through | $7.00 |
| Robert Sherrod | Tarawa the Story of a Battle | $7.00 |
At this time no videos are available through TOTW but we highly reccomend, "The Colors of War" by Kit Parker Films. This available in VHS and a new remastered version on DVD. For more information and reviews please follow the link.
All the photos used in TOTW and many others are available for purchase. Most are good to excellent quality with a few that are fair to poor. They are printed on glossy photo quality paper. For more information send an Email with a description of the picture. Each photo $3.00 US.
TOTW on CD
A copy of the complete website on CD since the last update is only $25.00. This would also include a copy of the TOTW photo archive.
I am interested in books, artifacts, diaries, or other items related
to Tarawa and the 2nd Marine Division.
If you would be interested in advertising a book, a video, or game on TOTW,
please contact me.
Betio looms ahead through the smoke and haze.
Email - [email protected]
copyright 2000 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 8 October 2000 - Updated 13 February 2002
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