Battle of Tarawa

The Battle of Tarawa in November 1943 was part of the Central Pacific campaign during World War II. American marines landed on the island and took it at great expense. The fierce fighting and heavy casualties for such a small territory shocked many Americans and led military planners to reevaluate their plans.

Following the battle the "island-hopping" strategy was adopted in which Japanese strongpoints would be bypassed when possible, and allowed to "wither on the vine".