This is a photo of World War II you will never forget
This is a photo of World War II you will never forget–world history This one always stuck with me. 1009 United States Marines died in 72 hours on the Japanese held Island of Betio in the Tarawa Island chain. A porkchop shaped island of only 381 acres. About 6400 Japanese died. Only a handful surrendered. The Japanese boasted that Tarawa could not be taken by a million men in 100 years. The marines took it in 72 hours but at a terrible cost. Admiral Shibasaki boasted to his troops, "a million Americans couldn't take Tarawa in 100 years." His optimism was forgivable. The island was the most heavily defended atoll that ever would be invaded by Allied forces in the Pacific. It was later discovered the Japanese set up these islands as “death traps,” knowing they likely couldn’t be successfully defended. They instead set them up to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy, hoping to slow their advance to mainland Japan. We hope that you have enjoyed reading