GILBERT ISLANDS

Grey River Argus, 3 December 1943, Page 5

GILBERT ISLANDS

Grim Battle on Betio U.S.A. CASUALTIES EXCEED 3700. (Rec. 10.55) WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. A United States Pacific communique says: Preliminary reports from the Gilbert Island operations indicate that our landing forces suffered the following approximate casualties: — Tarawa Atoll: Killed in action, 1026; wounded 2557. Makin Island: Killed 65; wounded 121. At Abemama Island;. Killed one; wounded, two. 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-throwers. Sherman tanks fired at point-blank range through the loopholes of the 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 the shore and opened fire, knowing they had no hope of rejoining theii’ comrades. When it became clear to the Japan ese that they were overwhelmed, they fought' back hardex’ than ever. BRITISH FLAG RESTORED. NEW YORK, Dec. I. Betio Island, in the Gilbert Group Central Pacific, is again under British administration aftei’ nearly two years of Japanese control. The Japanese occupied the Gilberts soon after thev attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. The main islands of the group—Betio, Tarawa, Makin and Abemama—were recaptured by United States Marines last week. T he “N°w 'York Times’s” correspondent with the invasion force says- ' “The Commandant of the United States Marines, Major-General Julian Smith, gave the order for the Union Jack to he flown. The American task force f.<r the Gilberts’ invasion carried two British representatives —the Resident. Commissioner of the Gilberts, Maior.General Fox-S.'h-anewavs. and the Director of Education in the group. Majox* F. G. L Holland. Although ultimate authnriH- is in the hands of the American rarrison, the civil administration has been taken 1 over bv the British Com, missioner, who will have all latitude.' in governing the islands consistent with the military situation.”