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Tarawa: Three Days of Fury Trivia Quiz

One of the toughest battles in the Marine Corps.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
321,835

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
323

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which Marine Division was chosen for the invasion of Tarawa? Hint

the 4th Marine Division

the 1st Marine Division

the 2nd Marine Division

the 3rd Marine Division

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The atoll of Betio was the primary objective of Operation Galvanic. Why was this atoll chosen? Hint

it had an airfield

it had few defenders

it had a deep water anchorage

it was deserted

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What operation took place that caused the Japanese to shift their attention to the Gilbert Islands? Hint

the capture of Guadalcanal

the Doolittle bombing

the Makin Island raid

the battle of Coral Sea

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Betio had formidable fixed postions. What two obstacles were the Marines' biggest problems on the first day of the invasion? Hint

disorganization and Japanese defenses

rain and darkness

excessive deaths among officers and NCOs

the coral reef and seawall

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The US naval shelling was ineffective that day in knocking out the fixed postions on Betio. What was the only thing it did do? Hint

keep the Japanese pinned down

distrupt communications for the Japanese

destroy the airfield

give the US Navy something to do

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Why was the second day of the invasion of Betio considered worse than the first? Hint

there was no US naval support

the Japanese counterattacked

the weather turned for the worse

the Marines had to wade ashore

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What ominous message heard over the PA system of the command ship? Hint

'we need help,fast'

'the issue ashore is in doubt'

'we cannot hold'

'we need to evacuate, now'

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What was a sure sign that the Marines were winning the fight for Betio? Hint

the Japanese were surrendering

the Japanese were committing suicide

the Japanese were withdrawing

the Japanese fire was slacking

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Howlin' Mad Smith was dipleased with the Navy after the operation. What was his biggest issue with the US Navy? Hint

the naval bombardment had been ineffective

the aerial help was worthless

too many Marines had drowned on the reef

intelligence was lacking before this invasion

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Because there were so many needless instances of Marines drowning at Tarawa, what did the US Navy propose to do? Hint

create a UDT unit

increase air support

increase naval shelling

have the Marines learn to swim

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which Marine Division was chosen for the invasion of Tarawa?

Answer: the 2nd Marine Division

The 2nd Marine Division was given the task of invading Tarawa. The 2nd Regiment was to go in first with elements of the 8th Regiment assisting, while the 6th Regiment was held in reserve.

2. The atoll of Betio was the primary objective of Operation Galvanic. Why was this atoll chosen?

Answer: it had an airfield

The atoll of Betio was chosen because it had an airfield. It also contained the most defenders.

3. What operation took place that caused the Japanese to shift their attention to the Gilbert Islands?

Answer: the Makin Island raid

The Makin Island raid was the motivating factor that caused the Japanese High Command to fortify the Gilbert Islands.

4. Betio had formidable fixed postions. What two obstacles were the Marines' biggest problems on the first day of the invasion?

Answer: the coral reef and seawall

The coral reef prevented anything but the amtracts from approaching the beach, and the seawall prevented the amtracts from proceeding any further.

5. The US naval shelling was ineffective that day in knocking out the fixed postions on Betio. What was the only thing it did do?

Answer: distrupt communications for the Japanese

The preinvasion shelling was entirely ineffective, the one thing it successfully did do was ruin the Japanese defenders' ability to communicate with each other. They would have surely launched a counter attack that night if they had been able to coordinate the effort.

6. Why was the second day of the invasion of Betio considered worse than the first?

Answer: the Marines had to wade ashore

The second day is regarded as worse than the first day because supporting elements of the 8th Marine Regiment were forced to wade ashore from the reef; almost 500 yards away from the beach under Japanese fire. Needless to say, horrendous losses resulted from this.

7. What ominous message heard over the PA system of the command ship?

Answer: 'the issue ashore is in doubt'

The message heard was,'the issue ashore is in doubt'. Nothing like that has been heard since.

8. What was a sure sign that the Marines were winning the fight for Betio?

Answer: the Japanese were committing suicide

Japanese defenders were committing suicide, a sure sign that the battle was being won. In some cases they did not engage attacking Marines before doing this.

9. Howlin' Mad Smith was dipleased with the Navy after the operation. What was his biggest issue with the US Navy?

Answer: the naval bombardment had been ineffective

Howlin Mad Smith's biggest issue with the US Navy was that the pre invasion shelling was next to useless. He stressed finding targets and eliminating them with accurate fire. This would surely reduce casualties and destroy the bunkers and pillboxes his men would have to deal with.

10. Because there were so many needless instances of Marines drowning at Tarawa, what did the US Navy propose to do?

Answer: create a UDT unit

Admiral Nimitz saw the carnage of Betio and made up his mind that no one would drown because the Navy had inaccurate or insuffcient data about tides or beach fortifications. From this conviction the UDT or Underwater Demolition Teams concept emerged.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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