THE GILBERTS

Evening Star, Issue 25037, 2 December 1943, Page 5

THE GILBERTS

BETIO AGAIN UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION FANATICAL JAP. DEFENCE OF ISLAND (Kec. noon.) NEW YORK, Deal. Betio Island, in the Gilbert group in the Central Pacific, is again under British administration after nearly two years of Japanese control. The Japanese occupied the Gilberts soon after they attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. The main islands of the group, Betio, Tarawa, Makin, and Abemana, were recaptured by United States marines last week.

The ' New York Times ' correspondent with the invasion force says: " The commander of the United States •marines, Major-general Julian Smith, gave the order for the Union Jack to be flown. The American task force for the Gilberts invasion carried two British representatives, the resident commissioner of the Gilberts, Major-gene-ral Fox-Strangways, and the director of education in the group. Major F. G. L. Holland. Although ultimate authority is in the hands of the American garrison, civil administration has been taken over by the British commissioner, who will have all latitude in governing the islands consistent with tie military situation." Stories are still being told of the grim battle for Betio. The charred bodies of previously-wounded Japanese troops appeared to be frozen to their weapons where they had been, burned to death by United States flame-throw-ers. Sherman tanks fired at pointblank Tange through the loopholes of resisting pillboxes. The Japanese at one landing beach ran straight at the advancing tanks to reach the marines moving up behind. Some attacked armed only with knives. Enemy snipers swam out to a wrecked American landing craft a few chains from ihe shore, and opened fire knowing that they bad no hope of rejoining their comrades. When it became clear to the Japanese that they were overwhelmed they fought back' harder .than wer., , ""