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Asia/ Pacific

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Tarawa, the capital island of Kiribati, was the sight of one of the bloodiest WWII battles. Occupied by the Japanese, American forces launched the first amphibious attack. Unfortunately, a low tide prevented landing craft from crossing the reef. Many, many soldiers were killed as they tried to walk to land and directly into Japanese fire, thus giving area where they landed the name Red Beach.

While the I-Kiribati police force has no guns, remnants of the battle can still be seen through shell casings mixed into street pavement, standing bunkers (photo #8), and rusted jeeps exposed by low tide. These two British guns remain pointed out to sea as a reminder of different times. Photo by Meg Kinghorn