Digging up facts

Letters

Digging up facts on war relics

Dr Spenneman (PIM Feb 92) may sport the label chief archaeologist in Majuro, but he certainly reveals a dismal sense of knowledge of the real facts of war relic archaeology as it specially applies to the atoll islands of the Central Pacific.

Stan Gajda, to whom Spenneman directs somewhat sarcastic criticism, is keenly aware of the need (from the expatriate viewpoint) for a War Museum on Betio, and thus the relics which he has located and labelled are collected for that purpose. His efforts for the approval of such a museum have been unsuccessful.

The good Doctor should realise that only he Americans, British and similar peoples ire interested in preserving the history of

he Pacific Campaign. Understandably,

he people of Kiribati couldn’t care less ibout the preservation of wartime artefacts junk, to them) which lies above and below he sands of Red Beach Betio, or any other sland.

If Dr Spenneman visits these atolls, he /ould view with disbelief and finally horror his own words about Gajda’s efforts) the omestic use that rusted weapons of war re subjected to. Specifically, rifle barrels lake cheap cooking pot holders, shell cases lake a fence, and unrecognisable pieces of ircraft do nicely for toilet covers. Would >r Spenneman praise this as preserving uthentic war history?

It is fine to preserve on-site locations such > Pompeii in Italy, or even the underwater :lics of Truk. At least the Truk ships are :adily identifiable, and visiting diving ithusiasts can enjoy the underwater enery. it is my bet, however, that the ruk people are pretty disinterested in past ar history, except for the golden oppor

tunity to make a few bucks from the tourists.

Dr Spenneman would have the relics of Betio rot to dust, to crumble and disappear forever by the turn of the century. This, all in the name of on-site archaeological integrity a totally idealistic and mis placed viewpoint.

Stan Gajda’s efforts and skills in resto ration of the relics of Betio deserve the highest recognition, yet we all know that his museum will never be built. After Gajda’s departure, would Dr Spenneman seriously suggest that these priceless pieces

of history be literally consigned to the toilet house?

Put in perspective, the recovered relics cover a couple of table tops and weigh maybe 100 kilograms. There is thousands of tons of the stuff turning to dust below Betio.

I say thank you Stan Gajda for your efforts and idealism to preserve a fraction of the history of the 76 hours of the Betio Battle.

John Jackson

Tullamarlne Australia (Written during a visit to Tarawa)