In November 1943 US forces successfully seized Tarawa and Makin in the first major counteroffensive of the Central Pacific; however, US casualties were heavy. By the end of January 1944. Operation 'Flintlock' - the seizure of the Marshall Islands - was launched: the next stepping-stone towards Japan. Following a three-day naval and air bombardment, the 7th US Infantry Division and 4th Marine Division landed on the islands. Since Tarawa, great changes had been made to organisation, tactics and equipment, and the new methods worked well: the 41,000 troops suffered less than 1,400 casualties. This book examines the campaign in detail, showing why it was assessed as the most successful amphibious operation to date and how it took the US forces one step closer to the Japanese heartland.