1 Dec 1943

Gilbert and Ellice Islands
  • USS Hoel struck an uncharted shoal off Betio Point, Tarawa Atoll. Hoel was hard aground with her bow lifted fully above the surface. Hoel was freed the following day after 18 hours of being fully exposed to enemy attack. Hoel’s propeller blades were bent and her underwater sound gear had been carried away. ww2dbase [Gilbert Islands Campaign | Hoel | Tawara | DS]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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The first wave of LVTs moved toward Peleliu invasion beaches, Palau Islands, 15 Sep 1944; note the bombardment lines consisted of LCIs, cruisers, and battleships; photo taken USS Honolulu aircraft

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