The Largest Tank Battle in WW2: Coral Sea

In the aftermath of World War I and the interwar period, the United States Marine Corps recognized the importance of armored forces in supporting the capture of advanced bases and islands. The failures experienced during this time served as a catalyst for both doctrinal and technological changes that would impact future Marine Corps campaigns in the Pacific theater.

The battle on Betio Island, which took place in 1943, was a turning point in the development of armored forces within the Marine Corps. Commanding officers in the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) acknowledged that improvements needed to be made to correct the problems encountered during this battle, including the ineffective employment of tanks.

The American public demanded accountability from Marine Corps leaders for what they perceived as a catastrophic military failure. The losses suffered by armored forces were staggering, with upwards of 86 percent of units being destroyed or rendered inoperable due to poor communication, planning, and firepower.

The cost of the battle was high, with the 2d Marine Division sustaining 3,301 casualties over just three days of combat. This experience served as a wake-up call for the US military, leading to a shift in its doctrinal paradigm in November 1943.

Over time, these principles became the foundation upon which units operated, enabling troops and commanders to respond quickly to foreseeable threats. Doctrine provided solutions to tactical or operational problems, serving as the frame of reference used by soldiers and leaders to organize, train, and fight.

The Coral Sea tank battle marked a significant turning point in the development of armored forces within the Marine Corps, leading to improvements in doctrine, technology, and tactics that would have far-reaching implications for future military campaigns.

Largest tank battle in ww2 coral sea