WW2 History – Kaongora Newsletter

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.

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

Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

Butaritari Island commemorates WW2 Anniversary

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