UNDER UNION JACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1943, Page 4

UNDER UNION JACK

BETIO ISLAND IN GILBERT GROUP AFTER TWO YEARS OF ENEMY OCCUPATION GRIM BATTLE FOLLOWING U.S.A. LANDING (Rv TelCPTSpb—Press Assoc iation—Copyright) NEW YORK, December 1. Betio Island, in the Gilbert Group, Central Pacific, is again under Bntisn 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 Abemama, were recaptured by United States Marines last week. The “New York Times ’ correspondent with the invasion force says: “The commandant of. the United States Marines, Major-General Julian Smith, gave an order for the Union Jack io be flown. The American task force for the Gilberts' invasion carried two British representatives, the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert Islands, MajorGeneral 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, the civil administration has been taken over by the British Commissioner, who will have all latitude in governing the islands consistent with the military situation.” Stories are still being told of the grim battle for Betio. The charreci oodies 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 pointblank range through the loopholes of resisting pillboxes The Japanese at one landing beach ran straight at the advancingtanks to reach the Marines moving up behind. Some attacked armed only with knives. Enemy snipers swam out to wrecked American landing craft a few chains from the shore and opened fire, knowing they had no hope of rejoining their comrades. When it became clear to the Japanese that they were overwhelmed they fought back harder than ever.