Battle of Tarawa THEN & NOW | Betio Island | Kiribati

The Battle of Tarawa was one of the bloodiest Battles of WW2, leaving scars and remains across Betio Island that still stand out today.
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Photo Credit:
US Marines Archives
www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/ta...
www.ibiblio.org/
Credit Addl Information:
www.tracesofwar.com
Video Credit:
Army Navy Screen Magazine #21

[@chrisosieczanek8281]

My uncle was in the second wave of the attack on the island . Could barely talk about it without breaking down . Told of a ‘ banzai ‘ attack and how he became acquainted with the definition of ‘fear’ . Was an 18 year old Marine and said it took him many , many years to come to grips with peace between our nation and Japan . RIP .

[@aperezvoyages]

What a story to listen to. It’s amazing the personal accounts and perspectives that history books can’t really cover. Thanks so much for sharing Chris!

[@dougsmuaythai]

Bless your grandfather. My grandpa was a guest prisoner of Japan and never could forgive them.

[@armybeef68]

@@dougsmuaythai Was he around when we gave them $25,000?

[@armybeef68]

Question goes to you too Chris

[@vulcanraven9701]

What Japan did was despicable. Germany has done a better job owning up to their past, so I understand why your uncle had a hard time forgiving the japanese

[@leonpascar9676]

It is important that even in such a beautiful place, you don't disregard the sad history. The marines who fought and lost their lives there deserve to be honored. Well done!

[@aperezvoyages]

Absolutely correct my friend! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@vulcanraven9701]

Indeed. Prayers to those who were wounded soldiers or died so that the evil empire of Japan would cease to exist. God bless the troops

[@ub1953]

I visit the grave of a marine at Miramar Nat't Cemetery who died 1st wave on Tarawa Nov 20 1943 and was unidentified for almost 75 yrs; finally identified by DNA. Thank you for your service; ultimate sacrifice Sgt MILLARD ODOM.

[@emilymcfadden4360]

I knew a a Marine who was there. The pain and terror in his eyes when talking about it after 60 years was evident. Marines are still dying from their Tarawa experiences.

[@vulcanraven9701]

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the country in our darkest ours.

[@DesertFoxWRX]

They're dying because of old age I would assume lol. Assuming 18 years old at the time, they'd be a minimum of 96 years old.

[@slugger545]

One of my relatives lived there when the Japanese occupied Tarawa and he was 8 years old when the battle of Tarawa happened he said before it happened the Japanese told them to go to the outer islands and from there he was able to witness the bombardments. Some years later he went to college in Minnesota and a guy he worked with was a marine who landed and fought on Tarawa and he told me about the stories he told him.

[@aperezvoyages]

Oh man that is truly inspiring. What a crazy and heart breaking experience he must've had. But to meet a marine that saved the islands must've brought tears to his eyes. Thank you so much for sharing man

[@slugger545]

@@aperezvoyages one thing I thought was weird was how you always hear about the Japanese being cruel in occupations but he said that a lot of people liked the Japanese because they gave them a lot of food. After the Japanese were gone he said the Americans did the same. I guess it was just nice for them to be introduced to new things since they were so isolated.

[@aperezvoyages]

That’s a really interesting new angle to hear of from the I-Kiribati. Surely not something you’d read in a history book. Wow

[@mrsweettater]

I'm writing a song about our local hero (Boone, Iowa) Ray Duffee, who was a medic. He ran for nearly three days straight pulling Marines on to the beach, from the stranded landing craft on the reefs. He received a Navy Cross for his action and came home to become an insurance salesman in Boone. I talked with his son to get his perspective and came to the conclusion that soldiers do not fight for causes, nations or flags. They fight for each other, just so their brother can make it home. Ray Duffee is one of thousands of humble, home town heros!

[@paulloya5]

My uncle Alexander Peña fought in this battle, 3rd battalion 6th marine regiment 2nd marine division, Guadalcanal, Tarawa,Saipan and Tinian, He was KIA July 30th 1944 on Tinian, the island was declared secure Aug 1st,he almost made it home, R.I.P uncle Alex, the greatest generation of all time, God bless America!!

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼 amazing

[@baileyfrazier2635]

He was there through all those battles with my Father who passed away July 23 2004.They are all in heaven together.My condolences, thanks and prayers for your Uncle Alex for his service and sacrifice for his country.

[@paulloya5]

@@baileyfrazier2635 Those Brave, Valiant men who were KIA and who survived were Heroes, all of them Heroes, they won't be forgotten,I had the honor of attending funeral service for PFC Glenn White this past September in Emporia Ks, he won the silver star at Tarawa, they're still bringing those heroes home, I'll never forget the words his niece said to me, We're all connected, those Marines and their families are all connected,God honors bravery, they won't be forgotten, the greatest generation of all time!!

[@Houston343]

Your Uncle saw a lot of crazy stuff. God bless him.

[@billofrightsamend4]

Because of your Uncle they were able to deliver the atomic bomb to Tinian Island. They loaded it onto the Enola Gay and ended the Pacific Conflict. My Great Uncle Bob was a Marine in the Pacific Conflict in WW II. I believe he was here, I know bits and pieces. He never talked about it, only if someone asked him questions. Standing in water for days til the flesh came off with your boots. (Bougainvillea or Guadalcanal). Gun battles all night til the barrel of your gun glowed orange. Being pined down in a foxhole with a man who had his intestines blown out from jumping on a granade to save his buddies lives. (Possibly Tarawa) The Marine may have been a Kinser his sister in laws cousin. My grandfather worked at a factory in Oak Ridge during WW 2.

[@adrianeugen3625]

Very thoughtful to show that journeys are not just about fun. RIP for every soul! Thank you man for showing such an unknown story. 🤙

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you for watching and sometimes part of the journey is revisiting some harsh history. 🤙

[@President.GeorgeWashington]

I served in 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines from 2017-2021. This is the same unit that landed on Betio. Our units nickname to this day is still "Betio Bastards." Thank you for preserving this history

[@aperezvoyages]

wow!❣️ thank you for sharing that🙏🏼

[@DonnieReno]

My brother-in-law was an 18 year old Marine and was badly wounded in his shoulder when they landed at Tarawa.

[@vulcanraven9701]

He sacrificed a lot to serve our country and my prayers go to him. God bless

[@francissantos7448]

Thanks for the upload and perspective.

[@johnnyd.8672]

Thank you, Mr. Perez, for going to Tarawa and filming this for us to see. What a cost, what sacrifice was made there - you show us how small the "island" or place it is and what devastation happened. So few of us know the sacrifice, let alone go and see these places for ourselves. I have not, and I appreciate that you have done so.

[@andrewbunn2673]

My Grandfather fought in this battle. I'm so thankful he survived it or I wouldn't be here today.

[@aperezvoyages]

What a blessing! I and the world thank him for his service and sacrifice

[@andrewbunn2673]

@@aperezvoyages Thank you.

[@redwatch1100]

You dont know that. You coulda got here in other ways. haaa

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Hero.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

@@redwatch1100 kind of a crass, inappropriate comment.

[@zon3665]

Thanks for posting.

[@richardgray115]

Very thought provoking Anthony. Well done..🙂

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you Richard 😊🙏🏽

[@fredickaliksa0910]

I was living on the island of Tarawa, Betio (bey-so) for couple of years and to see for my own eyes was a humbling experience. Rip to all those who fought for their county. And especially the people of Tarawa Kiribati who had no intentions of being apart of it.

[@aperezvoyages]

Truly devastating what war and occupation had done to Tarawa and many islands in the Pacific. Thank you for sharing your perspective my friend 🙏🏼

[@julianpalmer4886]

Nice Total Respect Bro. The carnage that happened back in dem years

[@bradleynorton3365]

Thanks for posting this video. It gives us a glimpse of what Betio is like in the present day.

[@aperezvoyages]

An absolute pleasure 🙏🏽

[@99900062]

Thank you.

[@BoostedNDMiata]

Very cool. I was lucky enough to get to visit Iwo Jima and climb Mt Surabachi when I was stationed in Iwakuni. Sobering place to walk and see.

[@thestitchersjournal8513]

My father worked on Betio in the 1970s and I visited during school holidays. I remember finding bullets on the reef at low tide, and all the strange pillboxes and rusty strictures dotted around he island.

[@aperezvoyages]

Wow’ must have been amazing during that time when more relics were to be found at ease

[@keithbarrett4630]

History Flight has recovered many missing Marines from Betio...very worthwhile organization -.

[@neillbarry7732]

That was really well done man.I just watched the not very good Documentary As it happened:Tarawa. Your Less then 5 minute docushort was powerful. Thank you.

[@aperezvoyages]

I reallly appreciate this awesome feedback Neil. Truly do 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@MrPacifica100]

Hi brother thanks for the video...I have Kiribatian heritage I'm from Cape Town South Africa...my ancestors where taken from the island during the time if blackbirding where they ended up in mauritius where my Grandmother was born then she came to South Africa..I really hope I can see Kiribati one day take my boys to see their heritage.

[@ricmiddletown7685]

my grandfathers remains are still there...somewhere. thank you for sharing, its a dream of mine to visit.

[@aperezvoyages]

Wow! Amazing! Hope you get to visit. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@ricmiddletown7685]

@@aperezvoyages i truly appreciate it! After watching your video, i did start looking at how to get there. WOW what a trip you had!!! again, thank you for sharing your journey and the respect you offered the people and past.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Hero.

[@curtismes]

Great video...short sweet to the point and good video too...the vets deserve to be remembered...my Grandfather was in Kunming China with Chennault.

[@lurking0death]

Ah! So was mine....a pilot for the "Flying Tigers' and then the US Army Airforce out of Kunming and other places.

[@curtismes]

@@lurking0death Mine was a munitions officer stationed in Kunming Edgar Gibson...retired a Captain.

[@TheNextGoogification]

Thanks for the tour! Another thing I didn't see mentioned was, the Japanese had all their weapons cited, so they knew exactly where the shells would land. They had a lot of crossfire planned out - unfortunate observation made by The landing Marines

[@jeffersonmanchild9271]

Grandpa was on a naval ship there and he said he sure was lucky he wasnt an infantry man. He witnessed the full thing from the sea. The firing from the ships before the landing was something to behold and they thought the defenders surely were destroyed. To him and his shipmates once the landing began there was a non-stop crackle of gunfire all across the island. He thought the soldiers landing would be wiped out but there were a vast amount of heroic acts preformed too many to ever tell them all. Men were being shot by each side and there own sides a hell of a fight. Brave men fighting Brave men both sides should be remembered for there courage there and all across the Pacific.

[@kenowens9021]

Actor Eddie Albert got the Bronze Star for saving many lives there.

[@mooseandsquirrel9887]

My dad was a first day lander on Tarawa......seriously wounded and he lived ......the tide was miscalculated and the Marines had to wade ashore under fire, then were pinned down at the sea wall......very dangerous battle here....Semper Fi......

[@aperezvoyages]

Reading and learning of this and being on the been gave some serious perspective man! Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@vulcanraven9701]

The people who landed early were put in the worse situation. They and all the others deserve the utmost respect and care. Best wishes go to our troops.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Hero.

[@45cab]

Respect who’s fought RIP and thank you for upload Gb

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you my friend

[@vulcanraven9701]

Yes. Except for the Japanese soldiers. They can burn in hell.

[@BBBCanada1]

Just watched a documentary on Amazon Prime about this battle. To see remnants years later is truly astounding. Thanks!

[@aperezvoyages]

Do you remember the name of the documentary?

[@BBBCanada1]

@@aperezvoyages “As it Happened: Tarawa”

[@aperezvoyages]

Im going to check that out! Thanks man🤙🏽

[@lukeyear5148]

Nice video, most of us won't ever be able to visit this place. BTW what's the track? it sounds pretty cool.

[@hans-peterschmid7749]

Hi Mr. Perez, can you tell me: is the Sherman Tank, that was half digged in the sand near the beach, gone?

[@niamhconnell3140]

Very interesting video thanks for sharing. I’m currently reading Tarawa the Story of a Battle by Robert Sherrod who was a war correspondent there during the battle. Several of the photos you showed are in this book. A fantastic read. I was curious what the island looked like now hence how I stumbled upon your video. A lot of history there to be sure. Thanks again for posting.

[@aperezvoyages]

My pleasure and glad you enjoyed! That’s a book I’ll have to check out

[@Ramiiam]

Cool sound track.

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you for going where I would never be able to.

[@aperezvoyages]

My pleasure ✊🏽

[@franzs9157]

So intresting to see the past especially ww2 time frame

[@rickm4853]

Bad ass video!

[@aperezvoyages]

🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼😃

[@musc1esman]

Marine corps veteran here 2012-2016, fascinated with the history of my branch and the battles they fought. Today I listened to the Unauthorized history of the pacific podcast and the very in depth information they share about all pacific theatre events of world war 2. This battle was an absolute bloodbath on both sides. When people think of D-day most people think of the landings at omaha beach and normandy. This was that event before it happened on the oppostite side of the world except that unlike France, this island is so small paratroopers couldnt drop in and help out behind enemy lines. Landing craft was stuck in the reef taking heavy fire from the Japanese, men were dying coming ashore left right and center. Men were killed in their bunkers and around their pillboxes and on the beaches. Taking an inch at a time cost so many lives, and had it not been for a naval gun by sheer luck killing the Japanese commander on the first day of the battle the Japanese probably would have counter attacked at night and thrown a few marines back into the ocean off the small stretch of land they were clinging to. The Japanese fought to the last man and Marines fought for their commrades those couple of days and died for each other in the midst of gunpowder, bullets, explosions, sweat, fire, and blood. Thank you for sharing this video, it is interesting to see the sight of such a horrible fight 80 years later.

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you so much for sharing this man! Tarawa is overshadowed by so many other battles in the Pacific! Much respect for those who fought in this one 💙

[@ganapatihegde1024]

Excellent vlog! Has lot of historical importance. These treasures need to be preserved.

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you my friend! I absolutely agree! 🏚

[@JohnSmith-du8yu]

Brutal, brutal battle. Short but so costly.

[@JR-ly2pu]

Thank you for posting this. I see peoples IG stories showing paradise and drinking pina coladas on the beach. Yet they have no clue some of the most brutal fighting was done on that small island of paradise. 🫡 To the US service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of democracy, I salute you.

[@hansgruber6455]

At 2:37.......is that where the coconut log wall was at?? The curvature in the beach at 2:37 looks like some period 1943 photos I've seen, but I am not seeing the sunk in the reef Sherman tank at this angle of the photo.

[@TheLesporter]

A.Perez, Thank you for this video. Not much on the internet about Tarawa today. Would like to see who the native people are and industry, if any. Thanks, Les

[@aperezvoyages]

Mauri Lesli! On my channel, I have a whole playlist of videos dedicated to Kiribati and three islands I visited. Covering everything about the language, people, and culture. 😃

[@superdragUSA1]

Doug "Shorty" Raulston (5'4) Operated a BAR on the Island. He told me about the Japanese shanking soldiers at night.

[@br529]

My dad drove a landing craft during that battle for several days. Carrying troops

[@BTrug-nw8ge]

Sehr interressant .top

[@nunya4244]

I have always wanted to visit these places. My late father was there with the 2d Marine Division, over a period of about 10 days. He was communciations personnel with the 2d Scout Company, 2nd Tank Battalion. (That's a lot of "2s"!). They would usually go in at night, paddling in and crossing the lagoon on inflatable rafts. They completed several missions. While all hell was breaking loose on Betio, they were tasked with recon and info gathering in the outer islets, and were assisted by the villagers. They shadowed a sizeable Japanese force, remained hidden, did not engage. These scouting platoons were lightly armed and would have been overrun quickly had they been discovered. God Bless the memories of all who served there, American and Japanese alike, as well as the civilians who lost their lives. These places are hallowed ground. My dad spoke very little of the war, but when he did, usually it was some interesting piece of trivia, something light hearted between the men, and he spoke of the civilians with great care, his compassion for them went deep. He went on to serve at Saipan and Tinian.

[@RB-sj9rc]

How did you manage to get there? Would love to go there and see it for myself

[@aperezvoyages]

I flew in from both Tuvalu direct and from Nauru on a round trip ticket 😊

[@Chatta-Ortega]

My uncle was shot in the face on Tarawa. It peeled back a large portion of his skin on one side of his face They did a great job of reconstructive surgery. He eventually was able to return to active duty and invaded Okinawa. I wish they kept the island free of trash.

[@Houston343]

God bless the Marines, I was an 0311, God bless the Japanese. I was raised in a Japanese family.

[@bobrooney2801]

My grandfather was the coxswain of an LCVP there. Amazing I exist.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

He was a hero.

[@tombrown6628]

I have heard or read a couple historical accounts which theorized that strategically the battle was not necessary as the island had been or would be bypassed. Has this idea been widely accepted in retrospect or discounted?

[@johncunningham60]

Its true..waste of human lives..a joke on everybody

[@mhsvz6735]

The Greatest Generation, for sure.

[@jessicae.s.340]

My namesake uncle was K/3/8….At Tarawa he was 2nd wave, Red Beach 3…

[@andrewchristopher7138]

my uncle died in the battle they never recovered his body

[@aperezvoyages]

Sorry to hear that man! It is amazing when they discover remains. They take whatever structure is there, temporarily move it and carefully transport it to wherever it belongs. Truly incredible.

[@burningkarma]

Don't give up hope. My Great Uncle was finally identified in 2017.

[@aperezvoyages]

Amazing! What a blessing to hear he was found! Thanks so much for sharing 💙

[@andrewchristopher7138]

@@burningkarma luckily we got a sample of my Grand Father's DNA before he passed so they have a sample for testing

[@aperezvoyages]

Wow what a blessing that was done! That’s amazing! 🙏🏼

[@timg2088]

The Japanese 8 pounder artillery piece you showed, was actually taken from the British after their surrender in Singapore.

[@aperezvoyages]

Very interesting to note and know! 🧐 thanks for sharing! Love history

[@davidtaylor351]

Incorrect. They are not war booty from Singapore. The Japanese purchased these Vickers guns from Britain at the time of the Russian Japanese war in 1905. Also, it's easy to forget. Japan was a western Ally in WW1.

[@sifatulislam9178]

Yes, I was there, In game obviously.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Rude. Insulting.

[@bclmax]

saipan has alot of stuff too..easier to fly to also

[@aperezvoyages]

Guaranteed! So does Palau and FSM islands like Chuuk lagoon. Just glad I was able to tick off an experience that is a bit harder to get to. That includes Nauru. Cheers mate

[@budscott1257]

My father was there in WWII

[@alphaomega8373]

Tarawa COVID hits one of the last uninfected places on the planet

[@aperezvoyages]

Shitty how it happened too’

[@garylyons3036]

My Grandfather was there

[@texasred2702]

I would never take home a souvenir from a battleground. It's like robbing a grave, *especially* at Tarawa.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

No it isn’t. It is an old ammo round, for God’s sake. He will honor it.

[@texasred2702]

@Fowchiii LIED, PUPPIES DIED it's an old ammo round from a battle where 1000 Marines died. If everyone tried to justify their behavior like that there'd be nothing left. If he wants a souvenir, he can take a picture. He will "honor it"--what kind of Oprah s*** is that? Lmao.

[@douglaslugo9452]

Clear images,really very clears,congratulations,the level of details learn images that never was saw in others films,congratulations,simply and effective 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@robertpaans504]

My uncle got as far as the beach , there he was shot through his helmet the bullet spun around inside and temporary knocked him out and blinded him they got him to the hospital ship and fortunately were able to fix his eyesight and heal his head wounds , he was sent home to Paterson New Jersey after an industrial accident where he fell into a urn of molten metal and burned his arms to the elbows horrible scars didn't stop him from being a high end builder and later a golf club innovator of renowned putters .....his best customers......Japan ! My mothers family had nine kids all four of the boys joined the services Marines , Army , Air force Navy and two of the girls Marines, Air force . My father Navy and another in law the Navy also ! What would happen today if the need for sacrifice arises to save our country ?

[@aperezvoyages]

Wow that is an insane and incredible story about your uncle. Any chance you could share his name? I would love to read about him, that’s if there are resources on the web. 🙏🏼

[@SriramSeetharaman-oe5of]

Reading right now...line of departure:TARAWA BY Martin Russ.

[@angryshamanproductions1946]

Kind of hard to admit on a public forum but I believe I died on the beach there as a Marine in a previous life. I actually get PTSD from the horrible memories. Watching this video, when he read that the Japanese opened fire 100 yards away, I went into a panic. I made it to the beach but was shot in the chest just a few feet off the beach. I witnessed in horror a couple of friends die and then I got shot. I probably will visit the island in the future.

[@trevorn9381]

I believe you. I was born in '72 and when I was a little kid I would have flashbacks of being in a war somewhere in the tropics with palm trees. No clue if it was WWII in the Pacific or the Vietnam war which was going on when I was born. I guess it is possible I got waxed in Nam and immediately reincarnated as a new baby back in the states. A few times as a kid I woke up screaming and my mom came in wanting to know what was wrong. I was totally terrified of gunfire which was a bit of a problem since I was a farm kid and my dad was constantly shooting stuff and when he would fire the gun I would go into a panic. Dad thought I was a wus. Eventually I outgrew my fear of gunfire and and stopped having the flashbacks before age 10, and learned to hunt and shoot guns but I am 50 and still remember them.

[@aperezvoyages]

At first I didn’t believe this til I read both comments and not gonna lie, this sounds like something that occurs with a lot of people👀

[@jackmehoffer7819]

They have no one to blame except themselves for how dirty this very small island is.

[@HamilcarBarca-jm3ey]

The fighting was horrific.

[@aperezvoyages]

Seriously

[@buckwheatsghettoghost4927]

I was a Betio Bastard in LCO 99-02

[@ShadeRaven222]

I hate how Google earth blurs out everything now. I looked at johnston atoll where they had a nuclear test fail and I seen a shark .3 of a kilometer long. No lie.

[@barryrammer7906]

It's too bad this trash on that beautiful island. They should clean it up or do something. I know the sea is overwhelming, but it's too beautiful.

[@copisetic1104]

The old saying don’t crap in your own nest apparently doesn’t apply with the local population.

[@bullhead900]

Yes, it looks very trashy.

[@hughjorgan2888]

Let's not forget the valiant Japanese soldiers who fought and died on that Island. Of some 4,700 Japanese defenders there, only 17 survived.

[@gunnyd8135]

By all means, let's celebrate a culture that gradually programmed its society and military that Bushido, in support of a deified emperor (promoted by the culture itself), was a sensible national strategy. One that could not live in harmony with its neighbors, nor could it accept being subservient to any other culture. The fruits being manifest for all to see: rape, torture, murder, theft, intimidation thrust onto 1/3 of the world. The real lesson comes from the Japanese leader of the Pearl Harbor bombing, Commander Mitsuo Fuchida: DON'T BE A STUPID IMPERIAL JAPANESE SOLDIER (following the course of culture not anchored on truth), AND FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST (the embodiment of truth).

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

They started this nightmare, they killed Marines, cut off their genitals, and stuffed them in the mouths of the dead corpses. This was not an uncommon occurrence, and the rape of Nanking, read about that. Give me break. I would hardly call it “valiant”, but I would call it “programmed”, “brainwashed” and cult-like. You sound incredibly ignorant.

[@alanstevens1296]

Really weird to see Betio today totally developed into housing and residential areas.

[@aperezvoyages]

It’s gonna be strange going back man! Might end up back next year

[@sobcontrolescvidasustentav7789]

Meu Deus, em pensar que meninos perderam suas vidas, para depois ver isso. Triste imagens i'm Sorry

[@Ro6entX]

No doubt being there is pretty surreal. Wierd to think there are probably still many undiscovered bodies in the island and on the reef (lot of marines fell into craters, drowned). Some of the footage from that battle includes very rare sighting of japanese soldiers running in background. I don't know how much it effected the battle as a whole but the Japanese commander himself was killed during bombardment prior to the invasion day itself. Don't think his body was ever found.

[@aperezvoyages]

Yea man! This whole island is littered with not just relics, but I know bodies from both sides where now are homes. How they excavated to retrieve bodies is really incredible

[@johnschmidt6431]

Too bad

[@michaelcodelmar9547]

If given the time I would rather go to these places than other vacation spots that have no history whatsoever

[@thewatcher3698]

if i live in tarawa, im gona make that bunker my home. its bomb proof and typhoon proof.

[@redwatch1100]

Take ya month to clean out all trash.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Any other insights?

[@jerrybetios9666]

Hey im betios it seems like my surname looks like that betio😮😮

[@jarrodyuki7081]

one mile 90 minutes 40 minutes a card and key to get to school and back every tuesday and thursday. assignments quizzes and exams and essays. and a calendar to follow.....................

[@keithrayeski6417]

An uncle was there.

[@MrCtsSteve]

Not to be disrespectful but what's the deal with all the trash ?? Why is that island so filthy ?

[@aperezvoyages]

Not disrespectful at all. Check out this video I covered about the rubbish on Tarawa (Overpopulation & Pollution on Tarawa | Kiribati) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ql7PoKqCnaZsf7c

[@watchthetriple8224]

Sad the death and destruction. Sad the locals can’t clean up after themselves.

[@rogerwilcoshirley2270]

Given the massive naval and air bombardments there may well be some large unexploded rounds buried deep in the sand. Subsequent amphibious attacks were preceded by days rather than hours of saturation bombardment by literally hundreds of warships and a thousand or more attack/bomber planes - the mid Pacific Fleet resources under Adm Spruance by then had become absolutely enormous by todays standards. How any Japanese or anything else possibly survived was incredible but some did regardless, and even more incredibly were able to put up some meaningful if short lived resistance. The greater reality is modern warfare is not so much the heroic mano-a-mano gunfight rather the preponderance of blowing everything to putrifying mush with a deluge of high explosive munitions there is no glory in it except in sanitized selective accounts or renditions for movies, games, books, or such. America obviously had by then established acendency and overwhelming overmatch and Japan failed to admit the obvious that the best thing was to capitulate and save themselves from further destruction and humiliation and find another way to a better future , which of course they finally did, reason eventually won out but at a tremendous cost to Japan. A horrible mistake on their part that every generation needs to continue to study and discuss. Needless to say also why being on the wrong end of a massive ass kicking is never where a nation should ever allow itself to be, want to pick a fight, better have the ability and courage to make sure to win it b/c the victors are unlikely to be as magnanimous as we were with the Japanese or Germans. But in the end all those players on those stages are now passed away and the new generations are allies and friends and hopefully it can remain so but history says the clouds of other disastrous conflicts are on the horizon like viscious typhoons of violence inexorably occurring every 10 yrs or so.

[@Ganttura1]

4 million pounds were shot by naval vessels. I have no idea how much of that went missing since usually 10-15% are considered duds.

[@mcake1234]

What a filthy place.

[@aperezvoyages]

Stay tuned for my upload in 5 hours focusing more on the pollution and overpopulation. 💔

[@59Lemony]

They should clean up those historical places. Many men died there their memory should be honored

[@Ganttura1]

A lot of this is also coming from Asia since plastics tend to travel long distances and eventually end up on some pristine beach thousands of miles away. That would not explain all of it ofcourse.

[@aperezvoyages]

Oh yea. I saw plastics brought over from Asia and South America. Shitty reality :(

[@aperezvoyages]

They have lived amongst it for decades but it falls upon the government which hasn’t seemed to educate how they should have on the topic...amongst other things too like pollution

[@ppumpkin3282]

This puts the battle in context. Those pill boxes looked really strong. Too bad you ruined the video with music. What's wrong with the sound of waves lapping the shore? Amazing how much concrete Japan brought to that little island. I heard that since 1900 the US had a plan on the shelf of what they would do if they had a war in the Pacific. The plan identified Tarawa as central to control of the Pacific because of its central location. And apparently the Japanese and the whole world knew this was the plan. And sure as shooting the US went there instead of some other less defended island. And even though the US had this on their war plan no one ever bothered to make a tide table and take depth soundings of the island - which caused a problem with landings.

[@aperezvoyages]

Thank you for sharing man! All fl very interesting history! As for crashing waves on the shoreline. Here’s some context breakdown! It was either save for travel or buy a quality camera with audio gear. I chose travel with an iPhone that doesn’t do well in cutting out wind noise. Hence the overlap in audio. Video with music > unbearable noise! 🤙🏽

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Today, Betio is a garbage dump. Very unfortunate.

[@aperezvoyages]

Sadly 🙁

[@rickrowell8465]

It's shame the locals can't keep their beach and surrounding areas clean. Much was learned and used in future landings from this tragic event. To much American Navy and Marine blood was spilled here for it to be such a dirty place now. Do these people have no other place to throw their garbage? I've spoken to Marine veterans that were there in 1943. It was HELL on Earth!

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Leftists degrade themselves and humanity.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

It is like a literal dump. How sad. Maybe the country of Japan, could go, and help clean it up.

[@finndog2759]

Really sad to see all the frigging garbage!!! The United States and Japan should make sure these islands are cleaned up and the relics of the war, taken care of. There's no reason these 2 countries can't do this!!!

[@3rdgr2t11]

Japanese marines defended beito

[@markbeaumont3292]

Shame the residents have no respect for where they live

[@aperezvoyages]

Education goes a long way. Sadly there is very little there (at least in 2018)

[@pointermom7641]

Does anyone who lives on that island today believe in picking up the garbage? There is trash everywhere - and I'm not talking about battle detritus - just modern junk.

[@hamiltonconway6966]

Terrible Tarawa, an invasion that need not have been made.

[@bobmenzies4137]

This was a bloody battle, USA sacrificed its men. for ONE SOLE PURPSE FOR USA PRIMACY IN ASIA! Japan same but Japan lost ! 2022 both are best friend & ALLY !

[@texx1985]

It's sad to see all the rubbish - dirty beaches, bunkers filled with trash.. Not much of a pacific paradise:(

[@s.b.6010]

It is really sad to see how trashed the island has become. So much garbage strewn about!

[@chrislinn4486]

Sad to see how trashy it is 😢

[@aperezvoyages]

I agree 🥺