U.S. Navy Department (November 22, 1943)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 18
Our troops have improved their positions on Tarawa and Makin Atolls, but are still encountering considerable enemy ground resistance. We have landed on Apamama Atoll. Liberators heavily bombed the airdromes area at Nauru Island on November 20 (West Longitude Date) and on November 21, Army Liberators continued diversionary attacks in the Marshalls. The Central Pacific operations are being directed by VAdm. Raymond A. Spruance, USN. The amphibious forces are under command of RAdm. Richmond Turner, USN. Landings were made on Tarawa by the 2nd Marine Division in command of Maj. Gen. Julian C. Smith, USMC; those on Makin by troops of the 27th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ralph Smith, USA. Maj. Gen. Holland McT. Smith, USMC, is in command of the landing forces.