audiobook Utmost Savagery: The Three Days of Tarawa by Joseph H. Alexander in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very savage battle which showed what to do and not to do.By Edward E. WiebenUnfortunately the Americans had a lot to learn about landing on Pacific islands against dug in Japanese. The Japanese made numerous mistakes but errors happen to the Americans as well. Water depth was not checked out and reconnaissance was weak or totally missing. Putting artillery on near by islands that were not fortified would have saved American lives.Tarawa was a huge learning experience for the Americans and they paid a high price. The Japanese also learn to dig in deep but their cost was almost all of their troops. The author has done excellent job describing the battle both the heroism and errors.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Utmost BraveryBy Robert C. OlsonExcellent military history of one of the bloodiest battles in the WW2 Pacific theater. Col. Alexander does a terrific job of setting the table for the battle by outlining the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. He points out why Tarawa was important to both the Japanese and American military forces. He highlights ALL the commanders with excellent biographical insights into not only their character but their training and backgrounds as well. He explains how Tarawa was fortified and why the new amphibious landing doctrine was a gamble that had to pay off. He makes the reader aware of ALL the military and political forces that were in play in November of 1943. In essence; it was high drama for both the Japanese and Americans. Japan was at its WW2 zenith but felt and knew that 1943 was the key to victory or slow defeat. America had passed its nadir and was quickly becoming the true power in the Pacific. Both sides were equal militarily in the Pacific when the battle of Tarawa was fought in November of 1943. After the bloody American victory the tide turned against the Japanese in favor of the Americans. Almost 2 more years of hard fighting would occur but the dye was caste. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was right; "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Tarawa showed that the sleeping giant was fully awake and would not be denied.Col Alexander's graphic narrative of the 3 day battle was clear; concise; and done in a novelistic style. It was very easy to read with the gritty feel of battle and terror of combat coming through loud and clear. Gripping at times as my heart broke for the men who endured this horrific ordeal. Courage was everywhere as men did what they had to do to be victorious. The enemy was equally courageous as they fought to a bloody conclusion; but; in the end the might and will of America's fighting man won out.Highly recommended not only for the military historian or WW2 buff; but for the everyday lay person too. Understanding our past is prologue to our future. Very uplifting.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Blood in the surfBy John E. LarsenThis is a comprehensive examination of this significant battle; with a strong case made that great consequences hung on its outcome. Alexander provides good context to the operation from both the Japanese as well as the American strategic circumstances. There were considerable difficulties experienced by both sides. While the Americans seemed to have all the advantages; a good picture of the complexities of an amphibious assault is conveyed. It was extraordinarily easy for misunderstandings to occur between the services. Some of the equipment was essentially untried and communications; for both sides; was appalling.The attack on Betio is rightly infamous because of the harrowing experience of many US marines. A shallow reef which surrounded the atoll caused havoc with many landing craft; forcing several battalions of marines to wade hundreds of yards through ferocious defensive fire. Astonishingly; for all the terrible carnage caused by the low tide; there were some remarkable compensations. A strength of Alexander's book is his finding that other; arguably worse outcomes were likely if the circumstances had been different. Indeed; despite the appalling carnage; 2nd Marine Division got a number of very fortuitous breaks. The key one being the untimely death of the Japanese commander on the first day.Alexander's focus is on the commanders and the key units (with some very helpful explanations of the Japanese forces) and the decisions and actions taken. Excellent research has provided a fairly full account of the ebb and flow of the battle. While there are only a sprinkling of first-hand recollections by participating marines (it is not an oral history style of book and the lack of vivid material from the attacking marines is its only weakness); considerable coverage is given to the deeds of the Medal of Honour winners as well as to some of the other heroes. These strongly convey the level of courage required for the marines to prevail. Japanese perspectives are understandably harder to come across but there is some interesting material from several of the survivors. With their incredible fighting spirit; extensive preparation and number of weapons available; they were an incredibly formidable opponent. It all resulted in some of the most bitter fighting imaginable. There truly was no quarter. Everyone was trying to kill as many of their enemies as they could.This is a very aptly named book. While in hindsight it seems clear the Americans were always going to win; it is chilling to consider that failure was a distinct possibility. The number of casualties among the assault troops was shocking and if the run of luck had gone Japan's way; disaster could have resulted; with enormous repercussions for any future amphibious landings. Considering that these were imperative in both theatres of war; the stakes were very high indeed. Highly recommended.