Red Beach The end of the stone breakwater marks the end of Red Beach 1 and the beginning of Red Beach 2 on the lagoon side of Betio Island.

Same location in 1943 after assault
The curved inlet of Red Beach 1 is visible in the distance. Today, bits of rusted wreckage still litter the reef at low tide.

Japanese defenders swam out to this wrecked ship, the Niminoa, and fired into the backs of marines who were wading towards the beaches. Their machine guns took such a toll that the landings were suspended until aircraft bombs and naval gunfire reduced the wreck to a smoking hulk. We were amazed to see the remains of the Niminoa still laying on the reef after so many years.

Japanese shore battery on Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll faces out towards the ocean. It was knocked out by the naval bombardment prior to the Marine landings on November 20, 1943.

The barrel of the gun was sheared off by a US naval shell.

Naval Gun Support
This concrete structure originally supported a naval gun on a swiveling table.

Naval Gun Support Turret
US planes dropped a bomb that blew the gun and the swiveling table into the ocean.

Swiveling table lies upside down on the reef next to the barrel of the gun that it once supported.

Japanese command post on the ocean side of the island originally had a swiveling turret on top that would have been used to direct the firing of other guns.

Marines approach a searchlight (at left) during the battle.

Japanese command bunker is now protected by a chain link fence. The walls are still marked from bullets and shells.

Japanese command bunker during the battle.