Battlefield Tourism – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati Commemorates 79th Anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa

November 22, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati commemorated the 79^th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa in a solemn dawn ceremony at the U.S. World War 2 memorial monument in Betio, South Tarawa on Tuesday 22 November 2022.

The Battle of Tarawa was one of the first battles in the Pacific War during World War 2 and lasted between 20 – 23 November 1943. By the end of this campaign, nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans and Americans died on the tiny island of Betio in the 76 hours of fighting. This earned its name as the bloodiest battles during World War 2.

The commemoration ceremony began with a traditional welcome from the elders of Betio, followed by a moving memorial remembrance service led by the Kiribati Uniting Church Deputy Moderator Reverend Tioti Timon.

In his address, President of the Republic of Kiribati, His Excellency Taneti Maamau said “my wife and I have the great pleasure in joining you today to pay tribute to the US Servicemen and women, that have bravely fought for peace and harmony. While history cannot be changed, the bravery, courage and selfless determination of the fallen and of the survivors must forever be recognized and honoured”.

President Maamau shared that “by remembering, by telling our stories, we hope that their legacy becomes a source of inspiration for nations to forge peace with one another”.

In attendance was a delegation from the U.S Embassy in Suva Fiji led by Army Attaché Lt. Colonel John Paul A Smock, the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Kiribati, H.E. Andre Van Der Walt, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Timothy Gill, Deputy Mayor of Betio, Government officials and community elders.

Lt. Colonel John Paul A Smock whilst acknowledging the commemoration said that “today, the United States is enhancing its commitment to Kiribati and the Blue Pacific, and I thank God that I am privileged enough to be part of that effort. Our shared past unites us, and our shared future will only make us stronger.” He thanked everyone present for their time today and for the opportunity to remember those who gave so much in the cause of freedom.

The event concluded with refreshments served by staffs and management of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK).

Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

November 20, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Betio commemorates WW2 78^th Anniversary

Betio communities, in partnership with the Betio Town Council (BTC) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) commemorated the 78^th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa through a clean-up of World War 2 relics on the island of Betio, South Tarawa on 20 November 2021.

The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943 between the United States and Japan on Betio. It was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts and was the first large-scale encounter between US Marines and Japan’s Special Naval Landing Forces.

The war relics on Betio hold a significant place in Kiribati’s history and they serve as a reminder of one of the bloodiest encounters in the US’s World War 2 campaign in the Pacific.

These relics are scattered throughout Betio and the clean up program included the relics in Takoronga, Temakin and Read Beach sites. In addition, the communities also undertook a thorough clean-up of the Japanese and Korean monuments on the island.

TAK is responsible for the management of all World War 2 relics across Kiribati and is working closely with communities and local authorities to develop sustainable means of preserving them.

Butaritari Island commemorates WW2 Anniversary

November 20, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The village of Ukiangang on the Island of Butaritari hosted Te Kaukinangananga, the 78^th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Makin (Butaritari) on Saturday 20 November 2021. The Battle of Makin was an engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 to 24 November 1943, on Butaritari.

Led by the Mayor of Butaritari, Burantemwanoku Timon, the event began with a parade of students of Teinaura Primary School and members of Ukiangang community.

The lone survivor from the 1943, Mr. Aroua Kauriri gave an account of his recollections of those few days as a young boy. Mr. Kauriri added that “Ukiangang village had 5 bunkers during World War 2. At the height of the American attack on the Japanese in 1943, 1 of the bunkers housing Ikiribati nationals was blown up killing them all. This is why the villagers have put up a memorial shrine at the site to remember and honour the lives of the I-Kiribati lost on the day”. He added that the celebration is also a reminder of a part of Kiribati’s history that must never be forgotten.

Mayor Burantemwanoku added that Te Kaukinangananga is one of two annual World War 2 memorial events hosted on the island. The Butaritari Island Council is also working on its plan for a bigger commemoration event for the 80^th anniversary in 2023.

As cultural customary practices would require, the celebration also included traditional entertainment, a re-enactment of the World War 2 events and conclude with an island feast made up of a selection of fresh seafood, and fruits and vegetables which Butaritari is well regarded for.

The event was attended by representatives from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), Culture & Museum Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and an Outer Island Integrated Energy Roadmap Project team from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE).

Tourism Authority Kiribati

Kiribati Commemorates 79th Anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa

Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

Butaritari Island commemorates WW2 Anniversary

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