Tarawa Talk

Wow Amazing Saipan pics. Yes totally agree, my life revolves around Betio, lol. With all the study of 2nd Div in New Zealand and Betio, at times i forget the other areas the Division were.
Did have copy of Robert Sherrods Onto Westward ( which had bits of 2nd Div ). Donated my copy to Auckland University New Zealand. Due to very poor pacific war collection for students, which is nuts because the Japs were on our door step.

E-2-2-2 Marines went through so much on Betio, And to do it all over again, wow. Hope Tarawa vets had few tricks up there sleeve.

Do have copy of Oba: The Last Samurai, which always gives me mixed thoughts every time i read it. Much like growing up on Betio, and meeting a respected village elder, who was Shibasaki house boy. He told a group of us kids, about going for a drive with the commander and driver in big black car. His first time in car, untill 1956. A week before the Marines arrived, Shibasaki Ordered him to leave Betio, go to his family village up the Atoll. He cryed and was upset. Shibasaki had only shown caring for natives he had contact with. Not once did i ever hear he was a mean Japanese.
What happened to the film rolls captured, ive seen the common ones, but always see something newish. All photos pre invasion film, not some but all.

Out of All Pacific battles, TOTW seems only one to dig and dig and dig. We need to share all info, pics  etc into a data base which i guess TOTW is lol. But do you know what i mean, ive held onto pics before because i was only person with it. But decided it better to help the vets familys and friends. A it does help, one pic was used in Tanks on Tarawa, thats awesome, helps the tankers familys see. So as most of you know from over the years, i refuse to with hold info or pic, because the men that lived and died in battle should not be held in secret, i believe.

What happened to the Betio, POW interviews.?
Where are the rolls of pre invasion film found after the battle ? ( we have all seen some, but rest? )

Betio how i remember it 1970s