Condolences and respect. My father served at Roi- Namur, Saipan, and Iwo. He passed in 2011 at age 87. They were in quite a generation. Time doth make mortals of us all...
At 7:44 you see Marines rushing into the smoke. One guy turns back and sits down, not wanting to see what is actually happening. The smoke clears and you can see on the far right , a Japanese soldier on fire crawling out of the pit entrance to a bunker. Now I know why that guy stopped and didn’t go any further. I guess his buddies had to satisfy their curiosity. I’d seen this footage before and never caught the nuance of that moment. Something in the different behavior of the various Marines in the frame made me look closer. Amazing!!! Like watching PTSD unfold. What was their life like after the war? Did they always remember (or try to forget) this day.
In 56 my grandad joked about it in writing ( not in a callous way rather in self depreciation) but to me in person in 77 he was sober and resentful of the necessity and the trauma inflicted on him and especially on his mates.
Read 'Bones of My Grandfather.' It's the story of Sandy Bonnyman's grandson's search for his grandfather's remains on Tarawa. Excellent read that credits the above film clips as being the first time a Medal of Honor action was capture on film (other post on youtube claim this, but i was hesitant to post there and disrespect another MOH winner from modern times). Semper Fi Lt. Bonnyman!
I bet my dad was in some of this footage. He was in the wire section but told me he had also at time carried a flame thrower. His name is Earl O. Hockstedler but was called Bill (don't ask its a long story). From Hopkins, Minnesota.
Hello. The only flamethrower in action during the assault on the bunker in the video was wielded by Cpl. John Borich. There were of course other flamethrowers in action, just not in that particular assault. I am Lt. Bonnyman's grandson, fyi. Thank you.
Excellent work. Thank you. One of the finest WW2 stories with footage I've seen. This one I had missed for a long time, perhaps I usually search 'WWii, Pacific, etc'
Thanks for watching. I am heading back to Tarawa in November to film a bit more. I was there last November and should have a tour video on our page in a few weeks. I have you have had a chance to watch some of the other videos on our page.
After researching Tarawa all these years, I was under the impression that the only time we even captured the enemy on camera was a brief moment at Bonneymn's Hill, but this incredible film shows otherwise around 5:10+. WOW.
Up to this point in the war I think you are right. But I’ve seen other footage captured on Okinawa of Japanese infantry and Iwo Jima as well but there isn’t much.
The only book I read about Tarawa was Battle Cry by Leon Uris,...he depicted how the first wave hit The Red Beach 1, I know there are movies in the 50s and 60s about taking Tarawa particularly Betio, but weren't portrayed well. How I wish Hollywood would someday make a movie about Bonnyman and his men's heroism. Semper Fi.
Thanks for watching and making a comment. I would also like to see a high end film about the battle, like the HBO Series "The Pacific" Again thanks for watching.
There is footage taken of japanese snipers being shot at while they were strapped in those palm trees on Tarawa!!! Pretty scary if you were on the ground walking around!!!
Yes not sure if it was possibly 2, heading to Tarawa in November for 80th Anniversary. I will get lots of video footage. I hope you have seen the History Adventures series on Guadalcanal. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
@@SFRProductions I just discovered your videos. I too am a history buff, especially Guadalcanal and the war in the Pacific. My Great Uncle Ensign William Stevens died on the Vincennes when it was sunk August 8, 1942. Thanks for responding.
Zooming in on still photographs is not a good technique. It does not allow the viewer the chance to study the detail and get a sense of a particular scene. Instead it creates an artificial effect mimicking a film clip. Wernner Herzog used the same technique when he filmed the newest paleolithic cave painting discovery in France and the result was 100% garbage, a complete waste of film. I applaaud your effort at preserving this historical battle and honoring the memories of those who lived and died capturing Tarawa.
A lot of guys like to hang back. I wonder how small the percentage is of guys who actively "fought" the war vs. Those who were basically just a body hiding in the vicinity.
It's an interesting thought; I've read about battles where it was usually only about 10% or less of the soldiers who did the killing, the rest just followed orders and went along the unit's movements. But these 10% seemingly killed as if it was nothing but a videogame. At new given orders they were the first to jump into action and didn't stop killing until the battle was over while many other's looked for any possible reason not to do anything. This was a cavalry regiment in the Napoleonic wars. I always looked upon soldiers as robots before; like they all acted the same and pulled the same weight etc (because they had the same training),. but it's far from true: some people are just killers, who kills effortlessly, while other's are not. This is not something that is trained to be before going out in combat; it's something that is even before. I bet 10% of the people watching this TH-cam video would fit in this category, while 90% of us, or more, don't.
@@Leaffordes When have any of you two losers fought in any wars? I've been in combat and have seen guys freeze up. It happens to people even if they've been a part of the 10% you're referring to. You never know when your mind just "taps out". At least these men went over. You two did nothing.
@@williampierce4513 I'm sorry to hear that your mind tapped out in combat. My country does not fight any wars as of now; there's no reason for me to go anywhere.
@@Leaffordes My mind did not tap out. Your country does not fight wars because it's "men" are too busy crying in youtube comments about things they know nothing of. Fuck off, clown.
@@williampierce4513 Simmer down there, sparky. No need for you to get all emotional; it's hard to believe you've actually seen combat if you can't even handle comments on TH-cam. My original comment was based on actual descriptions written by soldiers of a certain regiment, it's not me writing about my fictional war-experiences. Finally, "I was a soldier" doesn't mean anything; if you're an idiot, you're an idiot-no matter if you've seen combat or not.
My father was there. He never talked about it. He passed in 2010 at age 95.
Edward Bruce Laney.
Condolences and respect. My father served at Roi- Namur, Saipan, and Iwo. He passed in 2011 at age 87. They were in quite a generation. Time doth make mortals of us all...
@@manilajohn0182 my father was on tinian saipan and Iwo too the greatest generation
@@MrScottt7 Greatest respect for your father...
Awesome footage so much more than the edited clips shown in other movies.
At 7:44 you see Marines rushing into the smoke. One guy turns back and sits down, not wanting to see what is actually happening. The smoke clears and you can see on the far right , a Japanese soldier on fire crawling out of the pit entrance to a bunker. Now I know why that guy stopped and didn’t go any further. I guess his buddies had to satisfy their curiosity. I’d seen this footage before and never caught the nuance of that moment. Something in the different behavior of the various Marines in the frame made me look closer. Amazing!!! Like watching PTSD unfold. What was their life like after the war? Did they always remember (or try to forget) this day.
In 56 my grandad joked about it in writing ( not in a callous way rather in self depreciation) but to me in person in 77 he was sober and resentful of the necessity and the trauma inflicted on him and especially on his mates.
Read 'Bones of My Grandfather.' It's the story of Sandy Bonnyman's grandson's search for his grandfather's remains on Tarawa. Excellent read that credits the above film clips as being the first time a Medal of Honor action was capture on film (other post on youtube claim this, but i was hesitant to post there and disrespect another MOH winner from modern times). Semper Fi Lt. Bonnyman!
it's not disrespectful if it's true. thanks for the information.
I bet my dad was in some of this footage. He was in the wire section but told me he had also at time carried a flame thrower. His name is Earl O. Hockstedler but was called Bill (don't ask its a long story). From Hopkins, Minnesota.
Hello. The only flamethrower in action during the assault on the bunker in the video was wielded by Cpl. John Borich. There were of course other flamethrowers in action, just not in that particular assault. I am Lt. Bonnyman's grandson, fyi. Thank you.
Pony are you the same grandson on ww2 podcasts video? I just listened and now I’m looking up videos
@@35thkilo I was on the WW2 podcast, yes. Not sure about the video, but I've been on all kinds of stuff, so, could be.
@@35thkilo And yes, my grandfather is Alexander Bonnyman Jr., killed at Tarawa and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
@@35thkilo Yes, probably!
Excellent work. Thank you. One of the finest WW2 stories with footage I've seen. This one I had missed for a long time, perhaps I usually search 'WWii, Pacific, etc'
Superb work sir. Thank-you for posting.
Thanks for watching. I am heading back to Tarawa in November to film a bit more. I was there last November and should have a tour video on our page in a few weeks. I have you have had a chance to watch some of the other videos on our page.
After researching Tarawa all these years, I was under the impression that the only time we even captured the enemy on camera was a brief moment at Bonneymn's Hill, but this incredible film shows otherwise around 5:10+.
WOW.
Is the soldier running through that explosion like a scene from a movie a Japanese soldier?
@@user-oj9qn4nd5oI bet so, he was holding a long Japanese rifle with fixed bayonet
Up to this point in the war I think you are right. But I’ve seen other footage captured on Okinawa of Japanese infantry and Iwo Jima as well but there isn’t much.
Thankyou so much I always wanted to see more of this assault
Awesome job SFR……
Great work!
6:26 "Okay just saw that guy get his head shot off, I'm just going to start filming over here."
That Japanese soldier was already
dead & bullet riddled before the machine gunner blasted and separated his head from his shoulders!!
The only book I read about Tarawa was Battle Cry by Leon Uris,...he depicted how the first wave hit The Red Beach 1, I know there are movies in the 50s and 60s about taking Tarawa particularly Betio, but weren't portrayed well. How I wish Hollywood would someday make a movie about Bonnyman and his men's heroism. Semper Fi.
Thanks for watching and making a comment. I would also like to see a high end film about the battle, like the HBO Series "The Pacific" Again thanks for watching.
There is footage taken of japanese snipers being shot at while they were strapped in those palm trees
on Tarawa!!!
Pretty scary if you were on the ground walking around!!!
so technically the first medal of honor captured on camera?
Where was the bunker entrance?
Yes not sure if it was possibly 2, heading to Tarawa in November for 80th Anniversary. I will get lots of video footage. I hope you have seen the History Adventures series on Guadalcanal. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
@@SFRProductions I just discovered your videos. I too am a history buff, especially Guadalcanal and the war in the Pacific. My Great Uncle Ensign William Stevens died on the Vincennes when it was sunk August 8, 1942. Thanks for responding.
Zooming in on still photographs is not a good technique. It does not allow the viewer the chance to study the detail and get a sense of a particular scene. Instead it creates an artificial effect mimicking a film clip. Wernner Herzog used the same technique when he filmed the newest paleolithic cave painting discovery in France and the result was 100% garbage, a complete waste of film.
I applaaud your effort at preserving this historical battle and honoring the memories of those who lived and died capturing Tarawa.
A lot of guys like to hang back.
I wonder how small the percentage is of guys who actively "fought" the war vs. Those who were basically just a body hiding in the vicinity.
It's an interesting thought; I've read about battles where it was usually only about 10% or less of the soldiers who did the killing, the rest just followed orders and went along the unit's movements. But these 10% seemingly killed as if it was nothing but a videogame. At new given orders they were the first to jump into action and didn't stop killing until the battle was over while many other's looked for any possible reason not to do anything. This was a cavalry regiment in the Napoleonic wars.
I always looked upon soldiers as robots before; like they all acted the same and pulled the same weight etc (because they had the same training),. but it's far from true: some people are just killers, who kills effortlessly, while other's are not. This is not something that is trained to be before going out in combat; it's something that is even before.
I bet 10% of the people watching this TH-cam video would fit in this category, while 90% of us, or more, don't.
@@Leaffordes When have any of you two losers fought in any wars? I've been in combat and have seen guys freeze up. It happens to people even if they've been a part of the 10% you're referring to. You never know when your mind just "taps out". At least these men went over. You two did nothing.
@@williampierce4513 I'm sorry to hear that your mind tapped out in combat. My country does not fight any wars as of now; there's no reason for me to go anywhere.
@@Leaffordes My mind did not tap out. Your country does not fight wars because it's "men" are too busy crying in youtube comments about things they know nothing of. Fuck off, clown.
@@williampierce4513 Simmer down there, sparky. No need for you to get all emotional; it's hard to believe you've actually seen combat if you can't even handle comments on TH-cam. My original comment was based on actual descriptions written by soldiers of a certain regiment, it's not me writing about my fictional war-experiences.
Finally, "I was a soldier" doesn't mean anything; if you're an idiot, you're an idiot-no matter if you've seen combat or not.