November 14, 2010

When you pay your entry fee and get handed a pair of earplugs, you know things are going to get loud.

Flamethrowers, tanks, and lots of guns!

We went to the living history program at the Pacific Combat Zone today to see a reenactment of the Battle of Tarawa.
My Dad is a WWII Veteran and was at Tarawa so I have been really interested in seeing this reenactment.

Re-enactors demonstrate the weapons and discuss the tactics and strategy that won the war.


BAR - Browning Auto Rifle


Type 96 Light Machine Gun (Japanese)


Stuart Tank

The program lasted about an hour and 45 minutes.
The re-enactment takes place on a replica of the beach at Tarawa.


LVT - Landing Vehicle, Tracked


Lots of smoke


Flamethrower


Re-enactors

November 1943: A Japanese leader boasted “It will take one million men, one hundred years to conquer Tarawa”.

The Americans did it in 76 hours.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the Pacific Theater of WWII in order that the sacrifices of those who contributed to our victory may never be forgotten.


Raising the flag