7th Sasebo Special Navy Landing Force (7th Sasebo SNLF)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF)

Background
The 7th Sasebo Special Navy Landing Force (Sasebo 7th SNLF) based at Sasebo was part of the Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai (Special Naval Landing Force) of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Wartime History
On March 17, 1943 a force of 1,497 from the 7th Sasebo Special Navy Landing Force (Sasebo 7th SNLF) under the command of Commander Takeo Sugai arrived on Tarawa (Betio) with fourteen Type 95 Ha Go light tanks under the command of Ensign Ohtani. On November 20-23, 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa fought against the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), 2nd Marine Division with most of the defenders killed and all the Type 95 Ha Go tanks disabled or destroyed.

References
Handbook on Japanese Military Forces Chapter 5: Special Forces pages 76–82
Marines in World War II Historical Monograph The Battle of Tarawa Chapter I Introduction page 7
"On 17 March 1943, the Sasebo 7th SNLF reached Betio and joined the 3d Special Base Force as garrison troops"

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