Watch Crusade in the Pacific: Attack in the Central Pacific - Makin and Tarawa

Crusade in the Pacific: Attack in the Central Pacific - Makin and Tarawa is a documentary film that centers on the United States' military campaign against Japan during World War II. The movie is part of the Crusade in the Pacific series that covers the events of the war in the Pacific. The documentary begins by providing context on how the United States became involved in the war and the strategic importance of the Central Pacific area. It then focuses on the two battles that took place in the Central Pacific during the early stages of the war: the Battle of Makin and the Battle of Tarawa.

The Battle of Makin was an amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Butaritari, located in the Gilbert Islands. The attack was carried out by the United States Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and elements of the US Army's 27th Infantry Division. The documentary provides a detailed account of the planning and execution of the assault, including the use of amphibious vehicles and the challenges of fighting in a jungle environment. The battle resulted in the capture of the island and the destruction of Japanese installations.

The Battle of Tarawa was a larger and more intense battle that took place on the island of Betio, located in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The documentary covers the offensive launched by the United States Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Division against heavily fortified and entrenched Japanese defenders. The battle was notable for the high number of casualties on both sides, with over 1,000 Americans and 4,000 Japanese killed. The documentary portrays the brutal nature of the fighting and the logistical challenges faced by the US military in transporting troops and supplies to the island.

Throughout the film, footage of the battles is interspersed with interviews from veterans who participated in the campaigns. The interviews provide insight into the challenges faced by troops on the ground and the emotions that they experienced during the battles. The veterans also describe the broader strategic context of the campaigns and the importance they had in turning the tide of the war in the Pacific.

Overall, Crusade in the Pacific: Attack in the Central Pacific - Makin and Tarawa is a powerful and informative documentary that provides a detailed account of the early battles of the Pacific campaign. The film effectively conveys the scale of the fighting and the bravery of the soldiers who participated in the campaigns while also highlighting the logistical and strategic challenges faced by the US military. The use of personal interviews with veterans adds a poignant element to the documentary and helps to humanize the individuals who fought in the war.