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{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: In 1943 America
launches a bold new strategy...
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{\an7}... that promises victory...
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00:00:10,302 --> 00:00:13,347
{\an7}... but delivers the unexpected.
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{\an7}\h\h\hCPL. ROUSH: There was no
battle before, no battle since,
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00:00:16,016 --> 00:00:19,853
{\an7}like Tarawa.
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{\an7}NARRATOR: Ferocious conflicts
will shape the course of the war
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{\an7}sparking new innovations
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{\an7}and breaking new barriers.
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{\an7}With color combat footage...
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{\an7}\h\h\h... and rare film
from behind-the-lines...
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{\an7}\hhear the voices...
and feel the fight.
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{\an7}\h\hCOL. DONOVAN: It looked
like you’re headed for hell.
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{\an7}Because you were.
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{\an7}[♪ theme music ♪]
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}NARRATOR: November 1943.
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{\an7}A full-scale invasion force
\hcuts through the open sea.
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{\an7}One hundred ships. 35,000 men.
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{\an7}\h\hThey’re the tip of
the spear in America’s
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{\an7}first large-scale amphibious
assault of the Pacific War.
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{\an7}Confidence rides high.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThe size of the
fleet dwarfs the target --
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{\an7}Tarawa, a whisper-thin atoll
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{\an7}\h\h\hwith an airfield
tucked in the corner.
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{\an7}This island is half the size
of New York’s Central Park.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThe commanding
officers lay out their prize.
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{\an7}\hThe airbase is one of
Japan’s most important,
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{\an7}and the Americans must secure
it to advance in the Pacific.
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{\an7}\hAll have been trained...
but few have been tested.
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{\an7}\hMarine combat cameraman
Norm Hatch is among them.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hHe’s carrying three
cameras and 5,000 feet of film.
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{\an7}He’s confident about the battle.
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{\an7}SGT. HATCH: We packed shovels
along with us, but we figured
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{\an7}we didn’t have to dig any
foxholes, only Jap graves.
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{\an7}NARRATOR: Hatch films the long
days leading up to the invasion.
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{\an7}Marines assemble ammunition...
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h... test-fire
weapons into the sea.
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{\an7}[gunfire]
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{\an7}Exercise relieves the tension.
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{\an7}On the eve of the invasion,
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00:03:00,389 --> 00:03:04,351
{\an7}\h\hFather Frank Kelly
helps calm the nerves.
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00:03:04,393 --> 00:03:09,148
{\an7}He’s a familiar face to those
who fought on Guadalcanal.
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00:03:09,189 --> 00:03:14,027
{\an7}\h\hBut for the rest, it’s
their first taste of war.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hIt will be an
unforgettable baptism.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hBefore dawn, the Marines
pour into the landing craft.
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{\an7}As daylight breaks, the ships
open fire above their heads
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{\an7}to soften defenses.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hThey pound the tiny
island for four solid hours.
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{\an7}\h\h\hJohnnie Singleton
recalls the destruction:
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{\an7}JOHNNIE: We thought that after
all our bombarding and attacking
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hthere would be
nothing left on the island.
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{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: Then,
Navy planes take over.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIn all,
Americans rip into Tarawa
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hwith over four
million tons of steel.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hPTE. PASE: The Navy
promised that they would have
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00:04:17,048 --> 00:04:20,426
{\an7}all the Japs killed by
the time we got there.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSo we really
weren’t all that worried.
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{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: The plan
is to land the Marines
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00:04:29,144 --> 00:04:31,104
{\an7}on the island’s northern beaches
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{\an7}and move towards the key target
-- the airstrip at the center.
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{\an7}\h\h\hSheltered in the landing
craft, the men are confident.
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{\an7}They’re using amphibious
tractors called Amtraks
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{\an7}for the first time.
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{\an7}\hAmericans hope they can plow
through the Japanese defenses.
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{\an7}\h\h\hAs troops approach, the
Navy ships silence their guns.
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{\an7}The island looks lifeless.
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{\an7}[radio static]
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hSuddenly, incoming
fire grazes the invaders.
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00:05:13,939 --> 00:05:19,987
{\an7}\h\hMarines feel relatively
safe huddled in their boats.
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{\an7}But the pounding intensifies.
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{\an7}[cannon fire]
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{\an7}\h\h\hThen, unexpectedly,
the boats grind to a halt.
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00:05:34,835 --> 00:05:37,504
{\an7}SGT. BROWN: They anticipated
the tide was going to be in.
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{\an7}It didn’t turn out that way.
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{\an7}\h\h\hThe boats ran into a
reef about 500 yards out.
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{\an7}\h\h\hSGT. HATCH: The Japs
began to get in our range
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00:05:46,179 --> 00:05:49,224
{\an7}and the range of the Amtraks.
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00:05:49,266 --> 00:05:51,977
{\an7}\h\h\hSGT. ARTHUR: The
water was a real low.
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00:05:52,018 --> 00:05:56,523
{\an7}We were just sitting out
there being slaughtered.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: Naval
planners misjudged the tide.
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00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,196
{\an7}\h\hThey expect five feet
of water over the reef --
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00:06:03,238 --> 00:06:11,329
{\an7}but there’s only three.
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{\an7}The Amtraks are stranded.
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{\an7}[artillery fire]
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00:06:19,462 --> 00:06:23,383
{\an7}Machine-gun fire intensifies
\h\h\hand mortars rain down.
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00:06:23,425 --> 00:06:25,761
{\an7}The men are sitting ducks.
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00:06:25,802 --> 00:06:28,305
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThey have one
choice: abandon ship --
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00:06:28,346 --> 00:06:30,640
{\an7}or be blown out of the water.
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00:06:30,682 --> 00:06:32,517
{\an7}\h\h\h\hNorm Hatch is
watching the invasion
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00:06:32,559 --> 00:06:35,270
{\an7}unravel right in front of him.
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00:06:35,312 --> 00:06:36,730
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hSGT. HATCH:
Everybody had to go over
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{\an7}with 80 pounds of gear
and drop in the water.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hThe Marines are
forced to wade 700 yards
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00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:48,700
{\an7}under Japanese mortar
and machine-gun fire.
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{\an7}\h\h\hThey are being
mowed down in rows.
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00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:54,915
{\an7}PTE. PASE: We could see
the machine gun bullets
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00:06:54,956 --> 00:06:57,959
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hhitting the
water like raindrops.
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00:06:58,001 --> 00:07:00,212
{\an7}We’d see a man disappear.
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00:07:00,253 --> 00:07:03,423
{\an7}\h\h\hThen, another
man would disappear.
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00:07:03,465 --> 00:07:06,635
{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: Hatch carries
his hand-cranked 35mm camera
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00:07:06,676 --> 00:07:11,139
{\an7}\h\h\hand wades in right
beside machine gunners.
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{\an7}\h\hThey fight their way
onto the crowded beach.
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00:07:15,477 --> 00:07:18,897
{\an7}Men are pinned down in waves.
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00:07:18,939 --> 00:07:21,650
{\an7}\h\hSGT. PERRY: We ran
into a hornet’s nest.
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00:07:21,691 --> 00:07:24,027
{\an7}CPL. ROUSH: It was brutal...
\h\h\hup front and personal.
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00:07:24,069 --> 00:07:27,364
{\an7}Eyeball to eyeball.
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00:07:27,405 --> 00:07:35,246
{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: Some units have
already lost half of their men.
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00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:41,920
{\an7}What began as a smooth operation
is quickly going awry.
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00:07:41,962 --> 00:07:46,300
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hJapanese footage
reveals the unnerving truth.
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00:07:46,341 --> 00:07:49,678
{\an7}\h\hTarawa is a heavily
defended killing field,
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00:07:49,719 --> 00:07:53,556
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwith 5,000
soldiers ready to fight.
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00:07:53,598 --> 00:07:58,394
{\an7}\h\hHundreds of pillboxes, gun
nests, minefields, and bunkers
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00:07:58,436 --> 00:08:02,523
{\an7}\h\h\hdot the island -- all
surrounded by a huge seawall
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00:08:02,565 --> 00:08:08,738
{\an7}made of coral and coconut logs.
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00:08:08,780 --> 00:08:11,366
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThe Marines that have
finally made it onto the beach
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00:08:11,408 --> 00:08:17,581
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hare now trapped
against the massive wall.
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00:08:17,622 --> 00:08:19,707
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hThe Amtraks were
supposed to help the Marines
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00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:23,461
{\an7}breach these defenses.
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00:08:23,503 --> 00:08:31,428
{\an7}\hBut many remain stuck on the
reef hundreds of yards offshore.
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00:08:31,469 --> 00:08:36,808
{\an7}\h\hThose that make the beach
are often too shot up to work.
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00:08:36,850 --> 00:08:41,063
{\an7}\hThe few that do work are
unable to clear the wall.
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00:08:41,104 --> 00:08:43,023
{\an7}\h\h\h\hPTE. HARRISON: We were
using old alligator tractors,
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00:08:43,064 --> 00:08:44,566
{\an7}the first ones built.
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00:08:44,607 --> 00:08:46,484
{\an7}They were like a big tin can...
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00:08:46,526 --> 00:08:52,282
{\an7}My tractor reared up on the sea
wall, and most men fell out.
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00:08:52,323 --> 00:08:54,617
{\an7}[cannon fire]
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: The
Navy opens fire again,
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00:08:56,911 --> 00:09:02,542
{\an7}\h\hhoping to cover
the incoming troops.
130
00:09:02,584 --> 00:09:06,713
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hBut things are
going from bad to worse.
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00:09:06,755 --> 00:09:10,759
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hMarines can no
longer coordinate attacks.
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00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:12,051
{\an7}\h\h\h\hPHM. OBERMILLER: A
lot of things went wrong.
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00:09:12,093 --> 00:09:13,553
{\an7}\h\h\hThe radios got
salt water in them,
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00:09:13,595 --> 00:09:16,556
{\an7}\h\h\h\hso we didn’t
have communications.
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00:09:21,728 --> 00:09:23,230
{\an7}♪ ♪
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00:09:23,271 --> 00:09:25,565
{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: Just a few
hours into the invasion,
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00:09:25,607 --> 00:09:28,735
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hhundreds of
bodies cover the beach.
138
00:09:28,777 --> 00:09:32,114
{\an7}Tanks can’t even
get around them.
139
00:09:32,155 --> 00:09:36,242
{\an7}\h\hAmericans thought they
were prepared for Tarawa.
140
00:09:36,284 --> 00:09:43,625
{\an7}How did it come to this?
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00:09:43,666 --> 00:09:45,960
{\an7}\h\h\hBefore Tarawa,
the Allies had begun
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hto roll back the
Japanese in the Pacific.
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00:09:49,339 --> 00:09:51,842
{\an7}In June and July 1943
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00:09:51,883 --> 00:09:56,971
{\an7}\hAmericans invade the remote
Aleutian Islands near Alaska.
145
00:09:57,013 --> 00:10:00,517
{\an7}\h\hIn a few short weeks they
reclaim these barren cold lands
146
00:10:00,558 --> 00:10:06,981
{\an7}\h\h\h\hfrom Japan and regain
control of the North Pacific.
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00:10:07,023 --> 00:10:09,859
{\an7}\hIn the far flung islands
of the Southwest Pacific,
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00:10:09,901 --> 00:10:12,529
{\an7}\hGeneral MacArthur
is inching forward,
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00:10:12,570 --> 00:10:14,906
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\htargeting
strongholds through New Guinea,
150
00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:15,907
{\an7}New Britain,
151
00:10:15,949 --> 00:10:17,993
{\an7}and the Solomons.
152
00:10:18,034 --> 00:10:20,119
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFrom here,
MacArthur envisions a path
153
00:10:20,161 --> 00:10:22,246
{\an7}to liberate the Philippines
154
00:10:22,288 --> 00:10:27,794
{\an7}\h\h\hand eventually
invade Japan itself.
155
00:10:27,836 --> 00:10:31,673
{\an7}But Admiral Nimitz proposes
\hanother route to Japan --
156
00:10:31,714 --> 00:10:36,677
{\an7}\hfar bolder and demanding an
entirely new form of warfare:
157
00:10:36,719 --> 00:10:40,973
{\an7}island-hopping.
158
00:10:41,015 --> 00:10:42,934
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hNortheast of
MacArthur’s theater --
159
00:10:42,976 --> 00:10:46,021
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hstarting with
Tarawa in the Gilberts --
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00:10:46,062 --> 00:10:49,190
{\an7}\h\h\h\htiny islands become
stepping stones to leap-frog
161
00:10:49,232 --> 00:10:57,741
{\an7}through the open waters of the
Central Pacific -- to Japan.
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00:10:57,782 --> 00:11:01,119
{\an7}\h\h\h\hLed by Nimitz, the
troops set off for Tarawa,
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00:11:01,161 --> 00:11:03,538
{\an7}\h\hconfident they have
enough men and machines
164
00:11:03,580 --> 00:11:09,669
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hto easily
overrun the tiny atoll.
165
00:11:09,711 --> 00:11:11,880
{\an7}\h\hBut what should
have been a cakewalk
166
00:11:11,921 --> 00:11:14,924
{\an7}\h\h\his turning into the
bloodiest American landing
167
00:11:14,966 --> 00:11:17,343
{\an7}of the Pacific War.
168
00:11:17,385 --> 00:11:26,436
{\an7}[artillery fire]
169
00:11:26,477 --> 00:11:30,064
{\an7}NARRATOR: While troops on Tarawa
experience hell on earth,
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00:11:30,106 --> 00:11:31,816
{\an7}a smaller unit is sent to invade
171
00:11:31,858 --> 00:11:34,569
{\an7}the neighboring island of Makin.
172
00:11:34,611 --> 00:11:38,740
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hLucky for them
it’s a different world.
173
00:11:38,781 --> 00:11:41,784
{\an7}\hThe Americans outnumber
the defenders two to one,
174
00:11:41,826 --> 00:11:46,414
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand the Japanese
have few heavy weapons.
175
00:11:46,456 --> 00:11:51,044
{\an7}\h\hThey quickly secure a
large chunk of the island,
176
00:11:51,085 --> 00:11:57,633
{\an7}\h\hmeeting occasional
pockets of resistance.
177
00:11:57,675 --> 00:12:04,682
{\an7}\h\h\hBut back on Tarawa
it’s a different story.
178
00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:11,773
{\an7}For those who have survived this
far, luck may be running out.
179
00:12:11,814 --> 00:12:14,567
{\an7}They can’t move.
180
00:12:14,609 --> 00:12:17,403
{\an7}\h\hThey are pinned
down by enemy fire,
181
00:12:17,445 --> 00:12:19,155
{\an7}and the reinforcements
\h\hare having trouble
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00:12:19,197 --> 00:12:23,868
{\an7}making it to the landing zones.
183
00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:26,329
{\an7}\hDuring the night the
Japanese have swum out
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00:12:26,371 --> 00:12:31,626
{\an7}\hto wrecked amphibians
and set up machine guns.
185
00:12:31,668 --> 00:12:35,172
{\an7}\h\h\h\hNow Americans turn
their guns back out to sea
186
00:12:35,213 --> 00:12:44,931
{\an7}\hto pick off their own
hijacked landing craft.
187
00:12:44,973 --> 00:12:47,559
{\an7}\h\h\h\hOn the beach, the
Japanese continue to hurl
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00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:53,189
{\an7}\h\hmassive firepower
from dug-in defenses.
189
00:12:53,231 --> 00:12:55,900
{\an7}CPL. ROUSH: The Japanese were
mostly underground all the time.
190
00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:58,069
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThen you’d go by, and
they’d come out and fire at you
191
00:12:58,111 --> 00:13:00,822
{\an7}as you were passing by.
192
00:13:00,989 --> 00:13:02,240
{\an7}You can’t imagine it...
193
00:13:02,282 --> 00:13:06,661
{\an7}It was unrealistic.
194
00:13:06,703 --> 00:13:12,417
{\an7}NARRATOR: So far 1,500 Americans
are dead, missing or wounded.
195
00:13:12,458 --> 00:13:13,834
{\an7}\h\h\h\hCPL. ROUSH: The
medics were overwhelmed.
196
00:13:13,876 --> 00:13:15,503
{\an7}\h\hThere were so many guys
that were in such bad shape
197
00:13:15,545 --> 00:13:22,677
{\an7}that many of them were marked
dead and they were still alive.
198
00:13:22,719 --> 00:13:24,137
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: Fresh
Marine reinforcements
199
00:13:24,178 --> 00:13:31,477
{\an7}finally begin to arrive.
200
00:13:31,519 --> 00:13:33,813
{\an7}\h\h\hThey have a tiny
toe-hold on the island
201
00:13:33,855 --> 00:13:38,443
{\an7}\h\hand command pockets
of the northern beaches.
202
00:13:38,484 --> 00:13:42,154
{\an7}\h\h\hAs the day winds on they
link up scattered Marine units,
203
00:13:42,196 --> 00:13:44,657
{\an7}\h\h\htake the airfield in
the center of the island,
204
00:13:44,699 --> 00:13:50,496
{\an7}and try to push across Tarawa.
205
00:13:50,538 --> 00:13:53,666
{\an7}♪ ♪
206
00:13:53,708 --> 00:13:57,337
{\an7}\hThe Marines call in
Sherman tanks to help,
207
00:13:57,378 --> 00:14:00,590
{\an7}\h\h\hthe first to see
action in the Pacific.
208
00:14:00,631 --> 00:14:03,801
{\an7}\h\h\hBut visibility
from inside is poor.
209
00:14:03,843 --> 00:14:06,304
{\an7}The relatively light 37mm guns
210
00:14:06,346 --> 00:14:11,351
{\an7}\h\hare powerless against the
strong Japanese fortifications.
211
00:14:11,392 --> 00:14:13,644
{\an7}\hAnd tank radios have
different frequencies
212
00:14:13,686 --> 00:14:17,356
{\an7}than infantry radios.
213
00:14:17,398 --> 00:14:19,525
{\an7}The Shermans are worthless.
214
00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:25,907
{\an7}\h\hOf the 14 used in the
battle, only two survive.
215
00:14:25,948 --> 00:14:27,825
{\an7}By the end of D+1,
216
00:14:27,867 --> 00:14:31,704
{\an7}\h\hMarines have split the
island’s defenses in half.
217
00:14:31,746 --> 00:14:33,289
{\an7}They’ve crossed the airstrip
218
00:14:33,331 --> 00:14:37,544
{\an7}and occupy abandoned defensive
works on the south side.
219
00:14:37,585 --> 00:14:39,462
{\an7}CPL. ROUSH: We just charged
\h\hright across the island,
220
00:14:39,504 --> 00:14:40,797
{\an7}shooting anything,
221
00:14:40,838 --> 00:14:44,800
{\an7}trying to blow up every
bunker that we went by.
222
00:14:44,842 --> 00:14:47,636
{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: But capturing
Tarawa will take a lot more
223
00:14:47,678 --> 00:14:50,306
{\an7}than just running over it.
224
00:14:50,348 --> 00:14:55,228
{\an7}SGT. HATCH: This wasn’t going
to be any 24-hour operation.
225
00:14:55,269 --> 00:14:56,979
{\an7}\h\hThere were plenty
of Japs on the island,
226
00:14:57,021 --> 00:15:02,985
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hand they had
decided to die there.
227
00:15:03,027 --> 00:15:07,490
{\an7}♪ ♪
228
00:15:07,532 --> 00:15:10,452
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: The Marines
still face an awesome task:
229
00:15:10,493 --> 00:15:13,246
{\an7}\h\h\hThey must advance
east across the island,
230
00:15:13,287 --> 00:15:17,541
{\an7}\h\hremoving each pillbox
and foxhole along the way.
231
00:15:17,583 --> 00:15:25,132
{\an7}It’s a dirty and dangerous job.
232
00:15:25,174 --> 00:15:30,638
{\an7}Marines use hand grenades and
fire to blast out the enemy.
233
00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:32,557
{\an7}\hCAPT. KERR: They would use
flamethrowers and shoot them
234
00:15:32,598 --> 00:15:36,018
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hin through the
openings into the bunker.
235
00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:37,937
{\an7}\h\hThe flames really
didn’t burn people up.
236
00:15:37,979 --> 00:15:39,898
{\an7}\hGuys would either
suffocate or run out
237
00:15:39,939 --> 00:15:42,859
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hbecause you had
sucked up all the oxygen.
238
00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:47,822
{\an7}[artillery fire]
239
00:15:47,864 --> 00:15:52,285
{\an7}\h\hNARRATOR: The battles
are ferocious and intense.
240
00:15:52,326 --> 00:15:57,998
{\an7}♪ ♪
241
00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,793
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRarely do
Americans see their enemy.
242
00:16:00,835 --> 00:16:05,256
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hBut Norm Hatch
captures one epic moment.
243
00:16:05,298 --> 00:16:06,841
{\an7}\h\hSGT. HATCH: I heard
one of the Marines yell,
244
00:16:06,883 --> 00:16:17,018
{\an7}\h"Here come the Japs," so
I just swiveled my body...
245
00:16:17,059 --> 00:16:19,228
{\an7}That’s the only time to the
best of my knowledge in the
246
00:16:19,270 --> 00:16:28,112
{\an7}\hPacific War that the enemy
is in the same frame as us.
247
00:16:28,154 --> 00:16:30,323
{\an7}NARRATOR: As D+2 grinds on,
248
00:16:30,364 --> 00:16:35,327
{\an7}\hthe Marines mop up remaining
Japanese positions, one by one.
249
00:16:35,369 --> 00:16:38,539
{\an7}The island looks blown to bits.
250
00:16:38,581 --> 00:16:43,503
{\an7}It’s like advancing
through a wasteland.
251
00:16:43,544 --> 00:16:46,338
{\an7}Snipers are everywhere.
252
00:16:46,380 --> 00:16:48,090
{\an7}They tie themselves in the trees
253
00:16:48,132 --> 00:16:50,509
{\an7}and take potshots
at the Americans.
254
00:16:50,551 --> 00:17:00,644
{\an7}[sounds of combat]
255
00:17:00,686 --> 00:17:05,733
{\an7}\h\hThe battle for Tarawa is
now a war of extermination.
256
00:17:05,775 --> 00:17:09,654
{\an7}\hThe men on land are
not the only victims.
257
00:17:09,695 --> 00:17:12,198
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hA Japanese
submarine scores a direct hit
258
00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:18,037
{\an7}.
259
00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:29,424
{\an7}\hShe sinks in 23 minutes,
and loses 687 of her men.
260
00:17:29,465 --> 00:17:31,425
{\an7}Truman Gill sees the tragedy
261
00:17:31,467 --> 00:17:34,553
{\an7}.
262
00:17:34,595 --> 00:17:36,347
{\an7}\h\h\hCPL. GILL: I jumped up
and saw an aircraft carrier
263
00:17:36,389 --> 00:17:39,350
{\an7}\hthat had been hit
by a big torpedo...
264
00:17:39,392 --> 00:17:41,561
{\an7}all the ammunition exploded.
265
00:17:41,602 --> 00:17:47,233
{\an7}The men were instantly killed...
266
00:17:47,275 --> 00:17:49,736
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: This strike
will count as more than 30%
267
00:17:49,777 --> 00:17:53,155
{\an7}of the total loss of American
life during the Battle.
268
00:17:53,197 --> 00:17:58,369
{\an7}[artillery fire]
269
00:17:58,411 --> 00:18:00,997
{\an7}\h\h\hA few hours later
Allied ships and planes
270
00:18:01,038 --> 00:18:13,759
{\an7}\hunload another massive
barrage onto the island.
271
00:18:13,801 --> 00:18:15,594
{\an7}It appears to pay off.
272
00:18:15,636 --> 00:18:21,267
{\an7}\h\hOnly a few pockets
of resistance remain.
273
00:18:21,309 --> 00:18:24,187
{\an7}But those pockets are fierce.
274
00:18:24,228 --> 00:18:26,272
{\an7}Here, Marines use a flamethrower
275
00:18:26,314 --> 00:18:33,822
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hagainst a
stubborn enemy stronghold.
276
00:18:33,863 --> 00:18:36,866
{\an7}\h\hNorm Hatch keeps
his camera rolling.
277
00:18:36,907 --> 00:18:49,628
{\an7}[artillery fire]
278
00:18:49,670 --> 00:18:54,008
{\an7}\h\h\hSGT. HATCH: There wasn’t
any end. You just walked away.
279
00:18:54,050 --> 00:18:57,512
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThere wasn’t
anybody left to fight.
280
00:19:01,390 --> 00:19:03,225
{\an7}\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: After
three days of fighting,
281
00:19:03,267 --> 00:19:07,146
{\an7}\h\h\h\hAmericans finally
declare the island secure.
282
00:19:07,188 --> 00:19:16,864
{\an7}♪ ♪
283
00:19:16,906 --> 00:19:20,118
{\an7}\h\h\hThe Japanese have
fought to the last man.
284
00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:26,666
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hOf their 5,000
soldiers, only 17 survive.
285
00:19:26,707 --> 00:19:33,297
{\an7}Americans take few prisoners;
most are Korean laborers.
286
00:19:33,339 --> 00:19:35,258
{\an7}\hTo guard against
concealed weapons,
287
00:19:35,299 --> 00:19:40,054
{\an7}they cut away their clothes.
288
00:19:40,096 --> 00:19:44,183
{\an7}Japan once boasted it would take
a million men a hundred years
289
00:19:44,225 --> 00:19:46,519
{\an7}to take Tarawa.
290
00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:58,405
{\an7}America proved otherwise.
\hBut at a shocking cost.
291
00:19:58,447 --> 00:20:02,284
{\an7}♪ ♪
292
00:20:02,326 --> 00:20:04,328
{\an7}\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: President
Roosevelt grants permission
293
00:20:04,370 --> 00:20:09,584
{\an7}\h\h\hto release images of
the battle to the public.
294
00:20:09,625 --> 00:20:12,086
{\an7}\hFILM NARRATOR: Each
hour is getting close.
295
00:20:12,128 --> 00:20:13,588
{\an7}\h\h\hFor three days
before we moved in,
296
00:20:13,629 --> 00:20:15,381
{\an7}\h\h\hover 4 million
pounds of explosives
297
00:20:15,423 --> 00:20:17,592
{\an7}\hhave been dropped
down on the island.
298
00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:18,884
{\an7}It didn’t seem possible
299
00:20:18,926 --> 00:20:24,473
{\an7}\h\hthat anyone could live
through that bombardment.
300
00:20:24,515 --> 00:20:25,725
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: The
film shows Americans
301
00:20:25,766 --> 00:20:31,855
{\an7}\hthe true ravages of
the war -- uncensored.
302
00:20:31,897 --> 00:20:37,236
{\an7}\h\h\h\hFILM NARRATOR:
These are Marine dead.
303
00:20:37,278 --> 00:20:42,825
{\an7}♪ ♪
304
00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:50,917
{\an7}NARRATOR: The nation is shocked.
305
00:20:50,958 --> 00:20:57,298
{\an7}\h\hA tropical island has
become a putrid graveyard.
306
00:20:57,339 --> 00:21:02,886
{\an7}\h\h\hThousands of bodies lie
decaying in the scorching heat.
307
00:21:02,928 --> 00:21:05,556
{\an7}\h\h\h\hIt takes three
days of hard fighting,
308
00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:09,102
{\an7}\hover 1,000 dead
and 2,000 wounded,
309
00:21:09,143 --> 00:21:15,066
{\an7}\h\h\hto capture an island of
less than three square miles.
310
00:21:15,107 --> 00:21:16,609
{\an7}\hFILM NARRATOR: This is
the price we have to pay
311
00:21:16,650 --> 00:21:19,027
{\an7}for a war we didn’t want.
312
00:21:19,069 --> 00:21:20,612
{\an7}\hAnd before it’s over
there’ll be more dead
313
00:21:20,654 --> 00:21:26,451
{\an7}on other battlefields.
314
00:21:26,494 --> 00:21:32,250
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: The
film wins an Oscar.
315
00:21:32,291 --> 00:21:40,424
{\an7}Tarawa leaves the public shaken,
and the military under fire.
316
00:21:40,466 --> 00:21:43,928
{\an7}The newly secured airfields
\h\h\hprove highly valuable,
317
00:21:43,969 --> 00:21:46,763
{\an7}but the cost was too great.
318
00:21:46,806 --> 00:21:50,601
{\an7}\h\h\h\hIsland hopping has
failed its first big test.
319
00:21:50,643 --> 00:22:02,446
{\an7}\h\hFor war planners, it’s
back to the drawing board.
320
00:22:02,488 --> 00:22:06,993
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThey redesign the
plan, from top to bottom.
321
00:22:07,034 --> 00:22:11,205
{\an7}[artillery fire]
322
00:22:11,247 --> 00:22:15,334
{\an7}Troops train under live fire,
323
00:22:15,376 --> 00:22:18,963
{\an7}\hlearn how to use
upgraded weapons,
324
00:22:19,004 --> 00:22:26,553
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hand experiment
with new landing craft.
325
00:22:26,595 --> 00:22:30,307
{\an7}\h\h\hThe failures of Tarawa
also spark a new concept --
326
00:22:30,349 --> 00:22:33,185
{\an7}Underwater Demolition Teams,
327
00:22:33,227 --> 00:22:36,814
{\an7}\h\h\ha precursor to
the U.S. Navy SEALS.
328
00:22:36,856 --> 00:22:41,903
{\an7}\h\h\h\h180 men join the
first training program.
329
00:22:41,944 --> 00:22:44,738
{\an7}\h\h\hThey practice underwater
reconnaissance and demolition
330
00:22:44,780 --> 00:22:52,037
{\an7}\hto clear the path
for future assaults.
331
00:22:52,079 --> 00:22:55,624
{\an7}\h\h\hOther ideas push
America to think big.
332
00:22:55,666 --> 00:22:59,587
{\an7}\h\hThe new Essex-class
carrier joins the force.
333
00:22:59,628 --> 00:23:01,505
{\an7}It is faster, larger,
334
00:23:01,547 --> 00:23:04,633
{\an7}\h\hand carries almost
100 fighter planes --
335
00:23:04,675 --> 00:23:14,768
{\an7}\h\henough to support a
distant island invasion.
336
00:23:14,810 --> 00:23:16,270
{\an7}Equipped with better radar,
337
00:23:16,312 --> 00:23:19,106
{\an7}\hit can detect enemy
planes farther away --
338
00:23:19,148 --> 00:23:24,362
{\an7}giving it more confidence
\h\hin the wide open seas.
339
00:23:24,403 --> 00:23:26,280
{\an7}SN. JONES: Finally it could
go deeper in enemy territory
340
00:23:26,322 --> 00:23:28,157
{\an7}than any other carrier had been
341
00:23:28,198 --> 00:23:32,703
{\an7}\h\h\hsince the Japanese
had struck Pearl Harbor.
342
00:23:32,745 --> 00:23:34,205
{\an7}NARRATOR: Another
type of carrier --
343
00:23:34,246 --> 00:23:35,664
{\an7}the Independence class --
344
00:23:35,706 --> 00:23:37,374
{\an7}also enters the scene.
345
00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:43,047
{\an7}[artillery fire]
346
00:23:43,088 --> 00:23:45,299
{\an7}\h\hIt’s actually a
converted cruiser --
347
00:23:45,341 --> 00:23:50,012
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hsmaller, but
faster than the Essex.
348
00:23:50,054 --> 00:23:54,183
{\an7}\h\hThey operate in groups
to concentrate firepower.
349
00:23:54,224 --> 00:23:56,977
{\an7}Nimitz and the Allies are
hoping these new flat-tops
350
00:23:57,019 --> 00:24:01,899
{\an7}\h\h\h\hwill be the key to
island-hopping’s success.
351
00:24:01,941 --> 00:24:04,277
{\an7}\h\hBoth the Essex and
Independence carriers
352
00:24:04,318 --> 00:24:10,908
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hwill launch a new
airplane -- The F6F Hellcat.
353
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:14,787
{\an7}They are specially modified to
deal with their prime adversary
354
00:24:14,828 --> 00:24:18,790
{\an7}-- the Japanese Zero.
355
00:24:18,832 --> 00:24:20,917
{\an7}It’s 30 miles per hour faster,
356
00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:26,340
{\an7}\hwith better armor
and more firepower.
357
00:24:26,382 --> 00:24:29,468
{\an7}But improvements
don’t stop here.
358
00:24:29,510 --> 00:24:31,721
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hAfter their
testy start at Tarawa,
359
00:24:31,762 --> 00:24:35,766
{\an7}\hAmericans completely
overhaul the Amtraks.
360
00:24:35,808 --> 00:24:38,686
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hSporting a new
design, they’re faster.
361
00:24:38,727 --> 00:24:40,103
{\an7}More protected.
362
00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:42,314
{\an7}And deadlier.
363
00:24:42,356 --> 00:24:48,571
{\an7}Some have howitzer rockets to
blast Japanese fortifications.
364
00:24:48,612 --> 00:24:52,908
{\an7}They’ll be stronger,
but harder to drive.
365
00:24:52,950 --> 00:24:56,078
{\an7}SGT. GRAY: They started putting
armor plating on our tractors.
366
00:24:56,120 --> 00:24:59,040
{\an7}They would just cut a little
\hslot for you to look out.
367
00:24:59,081 --> 00:25:05,671
{\an7}\h\h\hYou couldn’t see much,
only straight ahead of you.
368
00:25:05,713 --> 00:25:08,883
{\an7}\hNARRATOR: Sherman tanks
-- another Tarawa flop --
369
00:25:08,924 --> 00:25:12,469
{\an7}also get an overhaul.
370
00:25:12,511 --> 00:25:16,682
{\an7}\h\h\hThey have better radios,
and a telephone on the outside
371
00:25:16,724 --> 00:25:20,895
{\an7}\h\h\h\hso infantry can
talk to the crew inside.
372
00:25:20,936 --> 00:25:26,400
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThey have more
armor, and bigger guns.
373
00:25:26,442 --> 00:25:29,904
{\an7}\h\hAnd some have a
totally new weapon.
374
00:25:29,945 --> 00:25:32,823
{\an7}Fire.
375
00:25:32,865 --> 00:25:34,784
{\an7}Americans wonder
if flamethrowers
376
00:25:34,825 --> 00:25:39,621
{\an7}can destroy what traditional
\h\h\h\hfirepower could not.
377
00:25:39,663 --> 00:25:46,003
{\an7}[artillery fire]
378
00:25:46,045 --> 00:25:47,505
{\an7}With this new machinery,
379
00:25:47,546 --> 00:25:54,219
{\an7}the US hopes to finally flex
its muscle over the Pacific.
380
00:25:54,261 --> 00:25:58,223
{\an7}\hBut it’s all in
the hands of boys.
381
00:25:58,265 --> 00:26:00,225
{\an7}Guys barely out of high school
382
00:26:00,267 --> 00:26:05,397
{\an7}\h\htrain for a life
they never expected.
383
00:26:05,439 --> 00:26:09,693
{\an7}\h\hDoug Aitken recalls the
rough waters off California:
384
00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:12,071
{\an7}ENS. AITKEN: We went for a few
weeks up and down the coast --
385
00:26:12,112 --> 00:26:14,239
{\an7}for training.
386
00:26:14,281 --> 00:26:15,783
{\an7}I think it was better known as,
387
00:26:15,824 --> 00:26:18,118
{\an7}\h\h"Get rid of your
seasickness, guys."
388
00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:19,912
{\an7}I was sick as a dog wondering
389
00:26:19,953 --> 00:26:24,583
{\an7}\hwhy in the world did
I ever join the Navy.
390
00:26:24,625 --> 00:26:28,254
{\an7}NARRATOR: Each landing
team learns the ropes,
391
00:26:28,295 --> 00:26:33,801
{\an7}net climbing and disembarking.
392
00:26:33,842 --> 00:26:36,053
{\an7}\hThey receive a week
of amphibious training
393
00:26:36,095 --> 00:26:42,184
{\an7}\hand rehearse with simulated
naval gunfire and air support.
394
00:26:42,226 --> 00:26:44,228
{\an7}\hPTE. BAYE: We did some
training with Amtraks...
395
00:26:44,269 --> 00:26:46,897
{\an7}That was a scary thing.
396
00:26:46,939 --> 00:26:49,275
{\an7}Here you are going off
the end of an LST ramp
397
00:26:49,316 --> 00:26:52,611
{\an7}and the nose diving
down into the water,
398
00:26:52,653 --> 00:26:54,738
{\an7}\h\h\hyou’re wondering how
much water can we take on
399
00:26:54,780 --> 00:26:56,991
{\an7}before we’d start sinking...
400
00:26:57,032 --> 00:27:02,079
{\an7}♪ ♪
401
00:27:02,121 --> 00:27:04,874
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: The troops
practice hand to hand combat,
402
00:27:04,915 --> 00:27:07,709
{\an7}\hjungle attacks, and
fire their weapons --
403
00:27:07,751 --> 00:27:10,045
{\an7}all with live ammunition.
404
00:27:10,087 --> 00:27:11,589
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hSGT. MUMME: You’d be
surprised the people in there
405
00:27:11,630 --> 00:27:13,799
{\an7}that got hurt in basic training.
406
00:27:13,841 --> 00:27:15,718
{\an7}They didn’t give a damn.
407
00:27:15,759 --> 00:27:18,929
{\an7}"Hell, we’re at war. Shape up."
408
00:27:18,971 --> 00:27:21,474
{\an7}That’s how they put us in shape.
409
00:27:21,515 --> 00:27:23,726
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: After a
final briefing, they load up
410
00:27:23,767 --> 00:27:31,483
{\an7}\h\h\h\hfor a 2,000-mile
trip across the Pacific.
411
00:27:31,525 --> 00:27:34,987
{\an7}\hFor most, it’s the farthest
they’ve ever been from home --
412
00:27:35,028 --> 00:27:39,741
{\an7}on the way to their first war.
413
00:27:39,783 --> 00:27:41,201
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hST. BRUNTON: The
commander inherited a bunch of
414
00:27:41,243 --> 00:27:44,913
{\an7}green, untested, untried,
\huntrained people like me
415
00:27:44,955 --> 00:27:46,832
{\an7}into operating his ship.
416
00:27:46,874 --> 00:27:48,834
{\an7}I was just a kid when I went in.
417
00:27:48,876 --> 00:27:54,340
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI had never been
anyplace, hadn’t done anything.
418
00:27:54,381 --> 00:27:56,133
{\an7}\h\h\hSGT. PERRY: It was
easy for us country boys
419
00:27:56,175 --> 00:27:58,386
{\an7}\hbecause we were
used to hard work.
420
00:27:58,427 --> 00:28:00,012
{\an7}But some of the city boys,
421
00:28:00,053 --> 00:28:05,183
{\an7}\hyou would hear them
crying in their bunks.
422
00:28:05,225 --> 00:28:11,189
{\an7}NARRATOR: It’s a 10-day voyage.
423
00:28:11,231 --> 00:28:15,610
{\an7}Soldiers pass the time getting
briefed on their targets...
424
00:28:15,652 --> 00:28:17,737
{\an7}getting to know each other...
425
00:28:17,779 --> 00:28:21,992
{\an7}and preparing for a time-tested
ritual of naval bonding --
426
00:28:22,034 --> 00:28:24,912
{\an7}hazing.
427
00:28:24,953 --> 00:28:26,830
{\an7}When a ship crosses the equator,
428
00:28:26,872 --> 00:28:31,377
{\an7}\h\hnew troops endure
the Neptune Ceremony.
429
00:28:31,418 --> 00:28:35,213
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThis transforms a new
recruit into a trusty sailor.
430
00:28:35,255 --> 00:28:39,050
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIn Navy slang, a
Polliwog becomes a Shellback.
431
00:28:39,092 --> 00:28:46,433
{\an7}♪ ♪
432
00:28:46,475 --> 00:28:50,062
{\an7}\hNaval officer John Herchak
-- dressed as a chaplain --
433
00:28:50,103 --> 00:28:52,147
{\an7}USS Knox
434
00:28:52,189 --> 00:28:58,153
{\an7}and films the folly
with his own camera.
435
00:28:58,195 --> 00:29:00,030
{\an7}There is often a beauty contest,
436
00:29:00,072 --> 00:29:01,407
{\an7}and each department must present
437
00:29:01,448 --> 00:29:07,412
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hat least one
contestant in swimsuit drag.
438
00:29:07,454 --> 00:29:10,749
{\an7}\h\h\h\hPresiding over the
ceremony is King Neptune,
439
00:29:10,791 --> 00:29:13,752
{\an7}ruler of the high seas.
440
00:29:13,794 --> 00:29:17,256
{\an7}MM. EARP: They shave you, they
make you go up to King Neptune,
441
00:29:17,297 --> 00:29:22,052
{\an7}and he’s got this great big dong
and you have to go kiss it.
442
00:29:22,094 --> 00:29:25,347
{\an7}\h\h\h\h... They cut your
hair and paint it yellow.
443
00:29:25,389 --> 00:29:27,600
{\an7}\h\h\hSN. RIPPER: Damn, the
things those guys did to us.
444
00:29:27,641 --> 00:29:28,809
{\an7}It was unbelievable.
445
00:29:28,850 --> 00:29:30,143
{\an7}We were black and blue,
446
00:29:30,185 --> 00:29:38,235
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand I was sure glad
when that day was over with.
447
00:29:38,277 --> 00:29:40,571
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: For now
it’s all fun and games,
448
00:29:40,612 --> 00:29:43,323
{\an7}despite the painful hazing.
449
00:29:43,365 --> 00:29:46,159
{\an7}But as they steam
directly into war,
450
00:29:46,201 --> 00:29:53,500
{\an7}\hreal pain is just
beyond the horizon.
451
00:29:53,542 --> 00:29:56,253
{\an7}\h\hNEWSREEL: In the shadow of
the pyramids near Cairo, Egypt,
452
00:29:56,295 --> 00:29:58,214
{\an7}\hin the heart of
the Muslim world,
453
00:29:58,255 --> 00:30:00,924
{\an7}\hthe leaders of China, Great
Britain and the United States
454
00:30:00,966 --> 00:30:04,136
{\an7}\hmeet face to face
for the first time.
455
00:30:04,177 --> 00:30:07,639
{\an7}\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: At the Cairo
Conference in November of 1943,
456
00:30:07,681 --> 00:30:09,099
{\an7}the three heads of state
457
00:30:09,141 --> 00:30:16,732
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hagree to the overall
plan for the defeat of Japan.
458
00:30:16,773 --> 00:30:17,983
{\an7}America will maintain
459
00:30:18,025 --> 00:30:22,947
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\ha two-pronged
approach across the Pacific.
460
00:30:22,988 --> 00:30:26,533
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hMacArthur will
advance from New Guinea,
461
00:30:26,575 --> 00:30:31,789
{\an7}\h\h\h\hisolating Japanese
strongholds in the South.
462
00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:38,128
{\an7}Nimitz will keep island-hopping
up the Central Pacific.
463
00:30:38,170 --> 00:30:40,714
{\an7}\h\hAfter the capture of
Tarawa in the Gilberts,
464
00:30:40,756 --> 00:30:45,469
{\an7}\h\h\h\hthe next step is the
low-lying Marshall Islands.
465
00:30:45,510 --> 00:30:54,102
{\an7}The first stop -- Kwajalein.
466
00:30:54,144 --> 00:30:59,441
{\an7}\h\h\hAmerica steams west with
new tools, and a new strategy.
467
00:30:59,483 --> 00:31:01,485
{\an7}\hThe key commanders
who fought on Tarawa
468
00:31:01,526 --> 00:31:05,363
{\an7}\h\h\hhave absorbed
their lessons well.
469
00:31:05,405 --> 00:31:11,453
{\an7}They now know amphibious warfare
requires more of everything:
470
00:31:11,495 --> 00:31:19,753
{\an7}more shelling, more landing
craft, and more air support.
471
00:31:19,795 --> 00:31:23,007
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hIn late November,
airplanes launched from Tarawa
472
00:31:23,048 --> 00:31:27,135
{\an7}\hbegin to zero in
on the Marshalls.
473
00:31:27,177 --> 00:31:34,768
{\an7}[aircraft and artillery sounds]
474
00:31:34,810 --> 00:31:43,152
{\an7}\hAmerican bombers drop more
than 111 tons of explosives.
475
00:31:43,193 --> 00:31:46,113
{\an7}Here, a fighter locks
onto a prime target --
476
00:31:46,154 --> 00:31:55,246
{\an7}a Japanese airfield.
477
00:31:55,288 --> 00:31:58,249
{\an7}The onslaught continues
for two months, knocking
478
00:31:58,291 --> 00:32:03,505
{\an7}virtually every Japanese
plane out of commission.
479
00:32:10,679 --> 00:32:14,308
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hBut Japanese film
reveals the hidden truth --
480
00:32:14,349 --> 00:32:17,686
{\an7}\h28,000 ground troops
await the Americans --
481
00:32:17,727 --> 00:32:21,064
{\an7}23,000 more than Tarawa.
482
00:32:21,106 --> 00:32:25,402
{\an7}♪ ♪
483
00:32:25,444 --> 00:32:27,279
{\an7}Long and crescent-shaped,
484
00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:32,158
{\an7}\hKwajalein is the largest
coral atoll in the world.
485
00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,369
{\an7}\h\hThe targets are the
main island of Kwajalein
486
00:32:34,411 --> 00:32:36,872
{\an7}at the southern tip
487
00:32:36,913 --> 00:32:43,002
{\an7}\h\h\hand the island of
Roi-Namur the next day.
488
00:32:43,044 --> 00:32:45,004
{\an7}Since they’re 40 miles apart,
489
00:32:45,046 --> 00:32:49,300
{\an7}\h\hthe assault requires
two separate campaigns.
490
00:32:49,342 --> 00:32:52,595
{\an7}\h\hThe plan -- hit
Kwajalein on Day 1.
491
00:32:52,637 --> 00:32:59,894
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hThen attack
Roi-Namur the next day.
492
00:32:59,936 --> 00:33:03,189
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hAs they approach
Kwajalein on February 1st,
493
00:33:03,231 --> 00:33:10,989
{\an7}the enemy is nowhere in sight,
and the bomb damage is surreal.
494
00:33:11,031 --> 00:33:14,368
{\an7}CMD. KIMMINS: I have never seen
such a shambles in my life.
495
00:33:14,409 --> 00:33:16,536
{\an7}\hThe beach was a mass
of highly colored fish
496
00:33:16,578 --> 00:33:22,793
{\an7}\h\hthat had been thrown up
there by nearby explosions.
497
00:33:22,834 --> 00:33:24,377
{\an7}NARRATOR: One soldier confesses,
498
00:33:24,419 --> 00:33:27,297
{\an7}\h"The entire island looked
as if it had been picked up
499
00:33:27,339 --> 00:33:34,680
{\an7}20,000 feet and then dropped."
500
00:33:34,721 --> 00:33:36,890
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hAs Americans
sneak up to Kwajalein,
501
00:33:36,932 --> 00:33:41,145
{\an7}\h\hthere is barely a
whimper of crossfire.
502
00:33:41,186 --> 00:33:43,855
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThe Japanese are
defending the ocean side,
503
00:33:43,897 --> 00:33:47,692
{\an7}\h\hbelieving the reef side is
too shallow for landing craft.
504
00:33:47,734 --> 00:33:51,613
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBut the new
Amtraks make it possible.
505
00:33:51,655 --> 00:33:56,994
{\an7}\hThe Japanese are caught
defending the wrong beach.
506
00:33:57,035 --> 00:34:01,498
{\an7}\hThe landings go off with
the precision of a drill.
507
00:34:01,540 --> 00:34:07,004
{\an7}\h\h\hThey clear the
island in four days.
508
00:34:07,045 --> 00:34:11,091
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOn Roi-Namur,
Japanese are also overwhelmed.
509
00:34:11,132 --> 00:34:17,388
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOf 3,500
defenders, only 51 survive.
510
00:34:17,430 --> 00:34:24,437
{\an7}\hThe islands are
secured in a day.
511
00:34:24,479 --> 00:34:27,565
{\an7}\h\h\h\hAmerica sweeps aside
the embarrassment of Tarawa
512
00:34:27,607 --> 00:34:30,110
{\an7}with a glowing victory.
513
00:34:30,151 --> 00:34:33,446
{\an7}\h\hHeavy machinery will pave
America’s new stepping stone
514
00:34:33,488 --> 00:34:38,076
{\an7}in the Pacific.
515
00:34:38,118 --> 00:34:44,875
{\an7}The men celebrate their triumph.
516
00:34:44,916 --> 00:34:51,256
{\an7}\h\h\hA dip in the surf helps
clean off the Kwajalein dirt.
517
00:34:51,298 --> 00:34:56,136
{\an7}\hAdmiral Nimitz himself comes
to inspect the island in person
518
00:34:56,177 --> 00:35:02,809
{\an7}\h\hand congratulate the
troops on their success.
519
00:35:02,851 --> 00:35:12,486
{\an7}But they might be even more
impressed by who comes next.
520
00:35:12,527 --> 00:35:14,696
{\an7}Now that the island is secure,
521
00:35:14,738 --> 00:35:19,952
{\an7}America deems it
safe for nurses.
522
00:35:19,993 --> 00:35:21,119
{\an7}Women in the Pacific
523
00:35:21,161 --> 00:35:24,956
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\haren’t allowed
anywhere near combat areas.
524
00:35:24,998 --> 00:35:26,541
{\an7}Little more than a year ago,
525
00:35:26,583 --> 00:35:34,424
{\an7}\h\h\h\h77 nurses were taken
prisoner in the Philippines.
526
00:35:34,466 --> 00:35:38,637
{\an7}\hSo on Kwajalein, nurses
are under a tight watch --
527
00:35:38,678 --> 00:35:43,808
{\an7}\hfenced-in quarters, strict
curfews, and armed escorts.
528
00:35:43,850 --> 00:35:45,727
{\an7}MARGARET: Conditions
were very primitive.
529
00:35:45,769 --> 00:35:48,730
{\an7}\h\h\hThere were 24 nurses
and millions of mosquitoes
530
00:35:48,772 --> 00:35:51,858
{\an7}all living in one tent.
531
00:35:51,900 --> 00:35:54,361
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hKATHRYN: We
worked seven to seven,
532
00:35:54,402 --> 00:35:56,946
{\an7}and we rotated for night duty.
533
00:35:56,988 --> 00:36:01,618
{\an7}We didn’t get a day off.
534
00:36:01,660 --> 00:36:03,036
{\an7}NARRATOR: They work hard...
535
00:36:03,078 --> 00:36:05,414
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand make the most of
whatever downtime they have
536
00:36:05,455 --> 00:36:08,166
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hin their
temporary tropical home.
537
00:36:08,208 --> 00:36:15,841
{\an7}♪ ♪
538
00:36:15,882 --> 00:36:19,719
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hSo far 60,000
nurses serve far and wide
539
00:36:19,761 --> 00:36:22,973
{\an7}on America’s war fronts.
540
00:36:23,014 --> 00:36:25,808
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hBut women are
doing more than nursing.
541
00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:32,273
{\an7}\hEvery service branch is
making room for new roles.
542
00:36:32,315 --> 00:36:39,197
{\an7}\hSome jobs are familiar,
but others are brand new.
543
00:36:39,239 --> 00:36:47,164
{\an7}♪ ♪
544
00:36:47,205 --> 00:36:52,669
{\an7}By now, close to half a million
women are working in factories.
545
00:36:52,711 --> 00:36:59,468
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThey’re building
bombs, weapons, and aircraft.
546
00:36:59,509 --> 00:37:02,429
{\an7}\h\hThe Willow Run Ford
factory outside Detroit
547
00:37:02,470 --> 00:37:05,014
{\an7}saw few women before the war.
548
00:37:05,056 --> 00:37:11,104
{\an7}Now thousands of them are
building the B-24 bomber.
549
00:37:11,146 --> 00:37:13,315
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThey pick up
where the men left off
550
00:37:13,356 --> 00:37:20,321
{\an7}\h\h\hand stay on pace to
build one bomber an hour.
551
00:37:20,363 --> 00:37:29,956
{\an7}They operate cranes, assemble
parts and install wiring.
552
00:37:29,998 --> 00:37:34,920
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hWomen prove they can
build airplanes from scratch.
553
00:37:34,961 --> 00:37:42,760
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBut who will
deliver them to the army?
554
00:37:42,802 --> 00:37:47,682
{\an7}When a shortage of pilots hits
the Army air force in 1943...
555
00:37:47,724 --> 00:37:56,942
{\an7}the WASPS are born. Women
Air Force Service Pilots.
556
00:37:56,983 --> 00:37:59,652
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLed by top
aviator Jackie Cochran,
557
00:37:59,694 --> 00:38:03,656
{\an7}WASPS are trained at Avenger
Field in Sweetwater, Texas,
558
00:38:03,698 --> 00:38:06,826
{\an7}\h\h\hmaking it the first
coed military flying field
559
00:38:06,868 --> 00:38:09,454
{\an7}in US history.
560
00:38:09,496 --> 00:38:11,373
{\an7}LORRAINE: We went through the
same training as the men did,
561
00:38:11,414 --> 00:38:12,874
{\an7}ground school in the morning.
562
00:38:12,916 --> 00:38:16,753
{\an7}And flying in the afternoon,
primary, basic, advanced...
563
00:38:16,795 --> 00:38:21,258
{\an7}\hnight flying and
instrument flying.
564
00:38:21,299 --> 00:38:23,092
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: But
wartime films reveal
565
00:38:23,134 --> 00:38:26,429
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hthey can’t quite
escape the old stereotypes.
566
00:38:26,471 --> 00:38:28,848
{\an7}\h\hFILM NARRATOR: Though each
girl is a pilot when she comes,
567
00:38:28,890 --> 00:38:31,309
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hshe must adjust
herself to a new technique,
568
00:38:31,351 --> 00:38:34,604
{\an7}and hairdos are sacrificed.
569
00:38:34,646 --> 00:38:37,107
{\an7}\h\h\hTime out for the daily
sunbaths, storing up energy
570
00:38:37,148 --> 00:38:39,984
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hagainst the grueling
training of minds and bodies,
571
00:38:40,026 --> 00:38:44,656
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hwhile the tremendous
responsibilities that lie ahead.
572
00:38:44,697 --> 00:38:46,824
{\an7}Six American beauties.
573
00:38:46,866 --> 00:38:50,078
{\an7}\h\hTwelve, for there’s a
pilot and copilot in each.
574
00:38:50,119 --> 00:38:54,624
{\an7}NARRATOR: The news spreads fast
and the rumors start flying.
575
00:38:54,666 --> 00:38:56,585
{\an7}\h\hDuring the first
week at Sweetwater,
576
00:38:56,626 --> 00:38:58,253
{\an7}more than 100 male pilots
577
00:38:58,294 --> 00:39:00,797
{\an7}make unnecessary forced landings
578
00:39:00,839 --> 00:39:03,383
{\an7}just to have a look
at the young women.
579
00:39:03,424 --> 00:39:06,135
{\an7}\h\h\h\hSoon the place is
barred from all outsiders
580
00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:10,807
{\an7}and becomes known as
"Cochran’s convent."
581
00:39:10,849 --> 00:39:13,727
{\an7}\hNearly 1,100 women
earn their wings --
582
00:39:13,768 --> 00:39:20,149
{\an7}\h\h\hthe first women to fly
American military aircraft.
583
00:39:20,191 --> 00:39:21,776
{\an7}They take test flights,
584
00:39:21,818 --> 00:39:25,030
{\an7}\h\h\hferry planes from
factories to air bases,
585
00:39:25,071 --> 00:39:30,451
{\an7}and fly simulated
strafing missions.
586
00:39:30,493 --> 00:39:32,912
{\an7}\h\h\h\hWomen log more
than 60 million miles
587
00:39:32,954 --> 00:39:36,791
{\an7}flying every type of airplane.
588
00:39:36,833 --> 00:39:42,714
{\an7}Many will end up in the
skies over the Pacific.
589
00:39:42,755 --> 00:39:45,675
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hBETTY: I flew 43
different types of aircraft.
590
00:39:45,717 --> 00:39:47,469
{\an7}There were a lot of
men who didn’t think
591
00:39:47,510 --> 00:39:53,433
{\an7}\h\hwomen could fly military
planes, but we showed them.
592
00:39:53,474 --> 00:39:57,770
{\an7}♪ ♪
593
00:39:57,812 --> 00:40:02,233
{\an7}\hNARRATOR: World War
II is everybody’s war.
594
00:40:02,275 --> 00:40:04,944
{\an7}But only a few have
the power to decide
595
00:40:04,986 --> 00:40:12,202
{\an7}where the war will go next.
596
00:40:12,243 --> 00:40:13,327
{\an7}For Admiral Nimitz,
597
00:40:13,369 --> 00:40:16,372
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hit’s been a
steep learning curve.
598
00:40:16,414 --> 00:40:20,043
{\an7}Tarawa was a debacle, but the
lessons applied at Kwajalein
599
00:40:20,084 --> 00:40:23,045
{\an7}were a stunning success.
600
00:40:23,087 --> 00:40:24,630
{\an7}Now Nimitz wants to press on
601
00:40:24,672 --> 00:40:27,049
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwith his
island-hopping campaign.
602
00:40:27,091 --> 00:40:30,469
{\an7}But General MacArthur
still isn’t convinced.
603
00:40:30,511 --> 00:40:33,139
{\an7}\h\h\h\hGEN. MACARTHUR: Island
hopping with extravagant losses
604
00:40:33,181 --> 00:40:36,726
{\an7}and slow progress is not my idea
605
00:40:36,768 --> 00:40:41,356
{\an7}of how to end the war as soon
and as cheaply as possible.
606
00:40:41,397 --> 00:40:42,857
{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR: Instead
MacArthur wants to keep
607
00:40:42,899 --> 00:40:46,569
{\an7}the pressure on in
the South Pacific.
608
00:40:46,611 --> 00:40:49,405
{\an7}\hDubbed "Operation
Cartwheel," his plan
609
00:40:49,447 --> 00:40:52,700
{\an7}\his to gain footing on
the New Guinea coast...
610
00:40:52,742 --> 00:40:57,247
{\an7}\hmove up the ladder of the
Solomons to Bougainville...
611
00:40:57,288 --> 00:40:58,790
{\an7}and isolate Rabaul,
612
00:40:58,831 --> 00:41:06,881
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hthe strongest
Japanese base in the area.
613
00:41:06,923 --> 00:41:11,177
{\an7}\hJapanese footage reveals
Rabaul’s awesome defenses.
614
00:41:11,219 --> 00:41:16,224
{\an7}♪ ♪
615
00:41:16,265 --> 00:41:19,602
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hKnown as the "Pearl
Harbor of the South Pacific,"
616
00:41:19,644 --> 00:41:24,566
{\an7}\h\hit houses five airfields,
hundreds of anti-aircraft guns,
617
00:41:24,607 --> 00:41:29,779
{\an7}and more than 100,000 troops.
618
00:41:29,821 --> 00:41:32,782
{\an7}\hHere the Japanese have
built a mighty fortress,
619
00:41:32,824 --> 00:41:38,330
{\an7}and they won’t back down easily.
620
00:41:38,371 --> 00:41:44,335
{\an7}\h\h\hBut American planes
buzz overhead, undeterred.
621
00:41:44,377 --> 00:41:52,635
{\an7}The Japanese brace themselves.
622
00:41:52,677 --> 00:41:56,347
{\an7}\h\h\h\hBy the winter of 1943,
MacArthur has his sights set on
623
00:41:56,389 --> 00:42:01,644
{\an7}the large island of Bougainville
in the northern Solomons.
624
00:42:01,686 --> 00:42:04,189
{\an7}\hFrom there he can
easily strike Rabaul
625
00:42:04,230 --> 00:42:11,237
{\an7}\h\hand silence Japan’s
air power in the region.
626
00:42:11,279 --> 00:42:12,781
{\an7}A force of 14,000
627
00:42:12,822 --> 00:42:17,535
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hsets out to attack
Bougainville on November 1st.
628
00:42:17,577 --> 00:42:20,371
{\an7}\h\hThe Japanese call in their
heavy cruisers and destroyers
629
00:42:20,413 --> 00:42:24,125
{\an7}from Rabaul.
630
00:42:24,167 --> 00:42:26,753
{\an7}The US Navy is shorthanded.
631
00:42:26,794 --> 00:42:28,045
{\an7}Many ships are tied up
632
00:42:28,087 --> 00:42:34,844
{\an7}\h\hwith island-hopping
in the Central Pacific.
633
00:42:34,886 --> 00:42:37,597
{\an7}\h\h\h\hIn a desperate move,
they put the new generation
634
00:42:37,638 --> 00:42:46,355
{\an7}of Essex and Independence
\h\hcarriers to the test.
635
00:42:46,397 --> 00:42:48,900
{\an7}Bombers join the mission.
636
00:42:48,941 --> 00:42:57,408
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hThey eliminate
their targets one by one,
637
00:42:57,450 --> 00:43:04,082
{\an7}damaging ships and two-thirds
of the Japanese planes.
638
00:43:04,123 --> 00:43:06,417
{\an7}\hAmerica’s first big
attack from a carrier
639
00:43:06,459 --> 00:43:12,757
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hsucceeds in
crippling Japan’s air power.
640
00:43:12,799 --> 00:43:18,138
{\an7}\h\hBougainville finally
falls into Allied hands.
641
00:43:18,179 --> 00:43:26,437
{\an7}\h\h\hBut Americans won’t stop
until they neutralize Rabaul.
642
00:43:26,479 --> 00:43:34,862
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThe raids and the
strafing missions continue.
643
00:43:34,904 --> 00:43:38,116
{\an7}Many of these are staged from
a handful of small airbases
644
00:43:38,157 --> 00:43:43,245
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hcarved out of the
mountainous New Guinea jungle.
645
00:43:43,287 --> 00:43:46,540
{\an7}This one belongs to the
345th Bombardment group,
646
00:43:46,582 --> 00:43:53,380
{\an7}\h\hotherwise known
as the Air Apaches.
647
00:43:53,422 --> 00:43:56,175
{\an7}\h\h\hThese are Captain
John Hanna’s home movies
648
00:43:56,217 --> 00:44:01,013
{\an7}\h\h\hwhich have never
been broadcast before.
649
00:44:01,055 --> 00:44:02,640
{\an7}He captures camp life --
650
00:44:02,682 --> 00:44:07,228
{\an7}\h\h\htime-killing rituals
like chess and horseshoes.
651
00:44:07,270 --> 00:44:11,191
{\an7}\hIt’s how many of them
relax before a mission.
652
00:44:11,232 --> 00:44:16,779
{\an7}And a big one is coming.
653
00:44:16,821 --> 00:44:19,490
{\an7}The 345th aims for Kavieng,
654
00:44:19,532 --> 00:44:21,909
{\an7}\h\ha key link in the
Japanese supply chain
655
00:44:21,951 --> 00:44:30,001
{\an7}that runs all the
way out to Rabaul.
656
00:44:30,042 --> 00:44:32,670
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hAmericans will aim
squarely for the supply dumps
657
00:44:32,712 --> 00:44:41,638
{\an7}in a risky low-level attack.
658
00:44:41,679 --> 00:44:44,098
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThere were once
plans to invade Kavieng,
659
00:44:44,140 --> 00:44:46,309
{\an7}\h\h\h\hbut MacArthur is
saving his ground forces
660
00:44:46,350 --> 00:44:56,193
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hfor an eventual
invasion of the Philippines.
661
00:44:56,235 --> 00:44:57,945
{\an7}\h\hThe Allies will
try to neutralize it
662
00:44:57,987 --> 00:45:02,617
{\an7}with air power alone.
663
00:45:02,658 --> 00:45:10,541
{\an7}Captain Hanna films
the action himself.
664
00:45:10,583 --> 00:45:16,130
{\an7}\h\hBullets fly from nose
guns with telltale sparks.
665
00:45:16,172 --> 00:45:22,053
{\an7}\hBursts of anti-aircraft fire
litter the sky above the harbor.
666
00:45:22,094 --> 00:45:31,645
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThey aim for Japanese
planes, fuel, and cargo ships.
667
00:45:31,687 --> 00:45:38,235
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hFlying in formation
through the smoke is chaotic.
668
00:45:38,277 --> 00:45:47,411
{\an7}\h\hOne plane almost drops its
bombs on another one below it.
669
00:45:47,453 --> 00:45:50,498
{\an7}\hOn the way out, they spot
a listing Japanese freighter
670
00:45:50,539 --> 00:45:57,171
{\an7}and try to finish it off.
671
00:45:57,213 --> 00:45:59,424
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hIn this daring
raid, Americans cripple
672
00:45:59,465 --> 00:46:07,765
{\an7}\h\ha linchpin of the
Japanese supply chain.
673
00:46:07,807 --> 00:46:09,183
{\an7}These low-lying raids
674
00:46:09,225 --> 00:46:13,521
{\an7}\h\hsucceed in putting a
stranglehold on Rabaul.
675
00:46:13,562 --> 00:46:16,273
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThe Japanese supply
chain is eventually severed,
676
00:46:16,315 --> 00:46:20,319
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand 100,000 Japanese
troops on Rabaul are stuck,
677
00:46:20,361 --> 00:46:25,658
{\an7}left to wither on the vine.
678
00:46:25,700 --> 00:46:29,537
{\an7}\hGeneral MacArthur is finally
moving closer to his target --
679
00:46:29,578 --> 00:46:31,747
{\an7}the Philippines.
680
00:46:31,789 --> 00:46:35,710
{\an7}\h\h\hHe continues his advance
along the coast of New Guinea.
681
00:46:35,751 --> 00:46:38,170
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hMeanwhile, the
island-hopping campaign
682
00:46:38,212 --> 00:46:42,049
{\an7}continues in the
Central Pacific.
683
00:46:42,091 --> 00:46:44,635
{\an7}\hAfter his victory
at Kwajalein, Nimitz
684
00:46:44,677 --> 00:46:49,390
{\an7}eyes the harbor and airstrip
\hon the atoll of Eniwetok.
685
00:46:49,432 --> 00:46:51,643
{\an7}But it’s protected -- by Truk,
686
00:46:51,684 --> 00:46:59,275
{\an7}\h\h\hone of Japan’s strongest
remaining bases in the pacific.
687
00:46:59,317 --> 00:47:01,903
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWith four
airstrips and 400 planes,
688
00:47:01,944 --> 00:47:07,450
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hTruk could make the
Eniwetok invasion a nightmare.
689
00:47:07,491 --> 00:47:09,952
{\an7}\h\hTwo days before
landing on Eniwetok,
690
00:47:09,994 --> 00:47:14,916
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h300 fighter planes
launch off the Essex carriers.
691
00:47:14,957 --> 00:47:20,921
{\an7}♪ ♪
692
00:47:20,963 --> 00:47:26,677
{\an7}\h\hTracers flying, they take
dead aim on Truk’s airfields.
693
00:47:26,719 --> 00:47:37,188
{\an7}\h\h\hThirty separate strikes
deliver unrelenting pressure.
694
00:47:37,229 --> 00:47:38,981
{\an7}Each one is more powerful
695
00:47:39,023 --> 00:47:45,655
{\an7}\h\h\hthan the Japanese
strike at Pearl Harbor.
696
00:47:45,696 --> 00:47:53,996
{\an7}\h\h\h\hAmericans take out 250
planes and forty naval ships.
697
00:47:54,038 --> 00:48:00,836
{\an7}♪ ♪
698
00:48:00,878 --> 00:48:03,130
{\an7}Truk is silenced.
699
00:48:03,172 --> 00:48:12,431
{\an7}\h\hNever again will Japan use
it as a major operating base.
700
00:48:12,473 --> 00:48:19,355
{\an7}\h\h\hThe skies are cleared
for an assault on Eniwetok.
701
00:48:19,397 --> 00:48:26,487
{\an7}♪ ♪
702
00:48:26,529 --> 00:48:32,493
{\an7}More than 10,000 men
approach the target.
703
00:48:32,535 --> 00:48:35,538
{\an7}For two days American
ships blast the island
704
00:48:35,579 --> 00:48:37,706
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwhile the
invasion force waits --
705
00:48:37,748 --> 00:48:45,130
{\an7}and hopes the enemy is buckling.
706
00:48:45,172 --> 00:48:51,428
{\an7}\h\h\hOn the beach,
resistance is light.
707
00:48:51,470 --> 00:48:54,431
{\an7}There are only a few thousand
defenders on the island.
708
00:48:54,473 --> 00:48:57,267
{\an7}But it won’t be a picnic.
709
00:48:57,309 --> 00:49:03,315
{\an7}[gunfire]
710
00:49:03,357 --> 00:49:07,611
{\an7}\h\hJapan also took
lessons from Tarawa.
711
00:49:07,653 --> 00:49:10,406
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hHere they built
pillboxes just as strong,
712
00:49:10,448 --> 00:49:13,117
{\an7}\h\h\hbut now they’re
connected underground.
713
00:49:13,159 --> 00:49:19,874
{\an7}[gunfire]
714
00:49:19,915 --> 00:49:22,126
{\an7}\h\h\h\hTroops caught in
these spiderweb networks
715
00:49:22,168 --> 00:49:24,587
{\an7}are shot at from all sides
716
00:49:24,628 --> 00:49:34,179
{\an7}as the Japanese rapidly shift
from one foxhole to another.
717
00:49:34,221 --> 00:49:37,891
{\an7}Progress is slow.
718
00:49:37,933 --> 00:49:43,313
{\an7}\h\hIt takes four days for the
Americans to clean up Eniwetok.
719
00:49:43,355 --> 00:49:47,067
{\an7}♪ ♪
720
00:49:47,109 --> 00:49:55,117
{\an7}262 soldiers lie dead -- while
Japan loses more than 2,000.
721
00:49:55,159 --> 00:49:57,828
{\an7}It’s another victory for Nimitz.
722
00:49:57,870 --> 00:50:02,124
{\an7}The Marshall Islands are
finally in Allied hands.
723
00:50:02,166 --> 00:50:09,048
{\an7}The Japanese are stung, but not
stagnant. They will respond.
724
00:50:09,089 --> 00:50:10,299
{\an7}With the capture
of the Marshalls
725
00:50:10,341 --> 00:50:12,218
{\an7}10 weeks ahead of schedule,
726
00:50:12,259 --> 00:50:16,221
{\an7}\h\hAmericans ratchet up their
entire effort in the Pacific.
727
00:50:16,263 --> 00:50:20,726
{\an7}\h\h\hThey build more naval
bases, more fortifications,
728
00:50:20,768 --> 00:50:22,812
{\an7}and more airfields.
729
00:50:22,853 --> 00:50:26,940
{\an7}\hThey make bold plans
to move more quickly.
730
00:50:26,982 --> 00:50:29,276
{\an7}\h\h\h\hAmericans proved
that a frontal invasion
731
00:50:29,318 --> 00:50:36,075
{\an7}from the water onto a fortified
beachhead is possible.
732
00:50:36,116 --> 00:50:42,998
{\an7}\hAmphibious assaults
are now coming of age.
733
00:50:43,040 --> 00:50:45,584
{\an7}\hIsland hopping will
soon become synonymous
734
00:50:45,626 --> 00:50:49,588
{\an7}with the Pacific War.
735
00:50:49,630 --> 00:50:55,636
{\an7}\h\h\hBut the next step is
far bigger, a lot farther,
736
00:50:55,678 --> 00:50:59,473
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand will be a
test unlike any other.
87704
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