@ Repfoduced from.the holdings of the National Archives,ee
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f RictficRouthwest Region
ae ke
BETIO
(m the way to Betio island by beat, a recon. of the reef was attempted to determine
tentative landing sites; however, final decisi.n will follow detail soundings.
1.
Area required and assigned pending sonceurrence of English and t. ©. state
departzents, is a rectangle (See drawing) approximately 420' x 320! with the 320!
distance parallel to the length of the island and bounded en the north by the
iJageon end on the south by the main ialand read. Aree includes a double concrete
half-subsurface bunker, 30' x 51', suitable for storage. Each bunker 19 13' x 48!
and in good repair and with 3 oq. roof epeninge for ventillation and with a concrete
floor, (Size and leeation on drawing), There are coconut trees approximately 16'
high, leid out in rowsom approximately 26' x 4C' ctre, and it will be possible to
site buildings to allow the majority of these trees to remin.
2.
Soll is very aandy with very little bhusus and the sand and leose coral over-
burden varies from 4* te 2'.
It will not be necessary tc build roads other than
s short access rosd (approx, 200') to the cam site from the main island road.
There is sufficient corel aggregkte within 400 feet of the cam site for stebilization and surfacing of access road and cayp arenes, This material is in a pile at
the readside and was originally intended for corel runway surface material by the
Japanese.
3.
(Approximately 30C cy).
Blasting will probably be required for setting of Navy cubes for septic tanks;
however, coral is generally loose and of a porous formation that is well suited to
septic tank operation. Thie system is used exclusively in the housing areas on
this island. Blasting way also be necessary to clear a path for an LET; however,
not over 50-100 et total blasting should be required for entire job.
4.
Sufficient aggregate oan be gathered from the beaches; however, the aajority
will be from 3/4" to 20 mesh.
5. BegchingFacilities
(A)
The wost desirable beeching would be on the lagoon reef with ar LST;
however, soundings taken the afternoon of 5 June, showed insufficient depth for an
LST at thie reef, The only other chance at this point would be by LC” from LSL.
The other beaching possibility by IST is for a lending on the tip of the east
mole, which extends approximately 5CC ft. frem shore on the lagoon side, but at the
opposite end of the island from the construction site. Some clearing of junked
invasion equipment, would be necessary, but there is suffieient depth ef water at
thie point. It was suggeeted that an LST enter the existing channel; however, it
was agreed by Lt. Rachart and , BReardall thst this was not feasible due to
insufficient depth of water and restricted turn-around srea, A pregere: of ceepening
this chanmel is planned for the future, but nc date for this can be eet, and it
would not be safe to plan on this work being done prior to the need for the weather
station.
ngedt
E
‘on cancelled {or cha
ty of LF.
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