Fallen U.S. marines lying on the beach and floating in the waters of Betio, Tarawa atoll, after the amphibious assault by 2nd Marine Division during World War 2. Flag draped coffin of a marine carried on deck of a transport ship where chaplains conduct funeral service for burial at sea. Marine honor guard fires salute as others salute.
U.S. 2nd Division Marines process about 10 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner on Betio, Tarawa atoll, during the battle there in World War 2. They cut away the prisoners' clothing to assure they don't carry weapons or explosives. (Narrator states they were later given replacement clothing from captured supplies.) Marines tend to a wounded Japanese prisoner. Japanese prisoners carrying their own wounded to a pier for evacuation. Marines cleaning up using water from captured Japanese steel barrels. Marines stand on fortifcations containing British Vickers BL 15 inch Mark I coastal defense guns captured by the Japanese in Singapore. These were knocked out by U.S. naval gunfire during the pre-assault bombardment. Closeup of one breech of a gun. A knocked out Japanese light tank at the South side of Japanese Rear Admiral Shibasaki's headquarters on Betio. (Shibasaki, commander of the Japanese forces there, was reportedly killed by U.S. Naval gunfire early in the assault.) Panning view of the remains of the reinforced concrete Japanese headquarters structure. U.S. Seabees using power shovel, dump trucks, graders, and heavy rollers, to restore the airfield for U.S. operations.
U.S. Marines complete capture of Tarawa from Japanese defenders in World War 2. U.S. Navy F6F aircraft are seen landing on the Betio airfield, Tarawa atoll, 24 hours after Seabees began to restore it to operation. One of the pilots poses with marines after landing. Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, wade ashore to relieve the others, provide protection for Seabees, and clean up ordnance in and around the airfield. Formal flag-raising ceremony officially establishing Tarawa under American control. The flag is raised as marines salute. The American flag flying high over the atoll. Battle-weary marines leaving Tarawa to embark on their transport ships, as members of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, bid them farewell.
U.S. marines engage Japanese during the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. Members of United States 2nd Marine Division walk up gangplanks, in full battle gear, and board ships. Convoy of ships underway in the Pacific Ocean, with weapons on deck visible. Fighter escort aircraft from U.S. aircraft carriers fly in formation over the convoy. A U.S. destroyer pulls alongside to deliver sealed orders on a line stretched between the two vessels. Officer briefs the Marines with a relief map on deck of ship. Marines load ammunition in belts for machine guns. They check and fire weapons. They exercise to relieve tension. Navy and coast guard assault boat coxwains receive last minute instructions from an officer. Chaplain conducts religious services for the Marines before the invasion day. Boats loaded with marines proceed toward the shore. Explosions occur. Aircraft in flight as they strafe and drop bombs on Japanese shore installations. American assault boats approach the beach. Heavy Japanese firing destroys several U.S. assault boats. Marines find some shelter behind a pier extending into the water. Marines are held down by heavy Japanese fire. They suffer heavy casualties and administer aid to wounded.
U.S. Marine Corps during Battle of Tarawa in World War II. Marines of United States 2nd Marine Division advance on a Japanese bunker and use hand grenades and flame throwers. Smoke column rises from explosions. Many dead Japanese dead seen lying on the other side of the bunker. U.S. marine runs with machine gun to set up in a fortified position.
A wounded marine holding a bandage to his head moves toward the rear. Sunken U.S. assault boat seen in water in which Japanese had set up machine gun nest. Marine artillery fire destroys the boat. Marines of United States 2nd Marine Division occupy defensive positons behind bunkers and fire mortars. An American sherman tank on the sand has the name "Colorado" on it with a painted symbol. Tank commander hunkers down as he walks toward a marine with walkie talkie. Marines fire mortar continuously. Marine runs from wood frame of destroyed Japanese building. Marines fire at Japanese snipers who have tied themselves in trees. Marines run toward abandoned and destroyed Japanese buildings. The sherman tank moves along the abandoned airfield with U.S. marines running behind. A jeep drives through debris of battle, with a wounded marine huddled down in back. At the beach, amphibious vehicles tow floating supplies behind them.
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