Bringing colour to the bloody battle of Tarawa: Never before seen pictures reveal the horrifying length US soldiers went to capture Pacific Islands from the Japanese in WWII (11 Pics)

These previously unseen colourised photos show the lengths which US soldiers went to during America's attempts to capture several Pacific Islands from the Japanese during the Second World War.

A captured Japanese soldier is surrounded by American troops in full uniform and brandishing their rifles. The amazing colourised photos show the lengths which US soldiers went to during America's attempts to capture several Pacific Islands from the Japanese during the Second World War

Cpl Robert E Voorhees standing while carrying supplies during the Battle of Tarawa at Red Beach, Bieto, Tarawa. A number of other US troops lay on the beach as others sit and chat. The images were published today to mark the anniversary of the America's drive across the region

A group of fighters, led by a Marine with a wounded hand, charging from the shore around opened barbed-wire entanglement to battle firmly entrenched Japanese in pillboxes on Tarawa. The photos were restored by colouriser Royston Leonard, from Cardiff

US Marines try to make advance against Japanese positions during the invasion of Tarawa in late November 1943. The troops talk to each other and duck for cover to avoid oncoming Japanese bullets

Moving off the ramp of a Coast Guard-manned landing craft, Marines move ashore onto Tarawa. America's heavy bombardment of the island paved the way for the US to make significant gains in the area and forced Japanese forces to flee one island at a time

US Marines wading through surf from landing boats and barges to the beach during the invasion of Tarawa. The US laid siege to the Tarawa Atoll between November 20 and November 23, and was America's first offensive in the Pacific region

This image shows the more human side to soldiers, who kneels down to give a scared kitten peeping out of a tank's track a drink of water following America's assault on the Tarawa Atoll

US Marine Corps assault party storm a Japanese stronghold on top of a mound. Japanese forces fought until the last man, with just one officer and 16 troops of the 3,500 plus enlisted men surrendering

Marines alongside an LVT-1 Alligator on Tarawa. The island was one of the less heavily defended islands but was part of a tactical ploy by Japan so they could station more men at other islands in the area

165th Infantry assault wave attacking Butaritari, Yellow Beach Two, find it slow going in the coral bottom waters. Japanese machine gun fire from the right flank makes it more difficult for them. The US paid a heavy price for their victory in Tarawa, with more than 1,000 killed and a further 2,000 wounded.