Aftermath

Island warfare  has a dreamlike aspect to it. Picturesque vacation-like destinations being turned into post-apocalyptic wastelands.Hillenbrand describes the aftermath of the battle at Funafuti:"Finally, the still fell silent. A few men, shaking, stood up. As they walked among the wreckage, another B-24 blew up, the explosion accelerated  by its 2,300 gallons of fuel, 3,000 pounds of bombs, and a cache of a .50-caliber ammunition " (112).  Complete and utter ravaging of the island and then total silence . The effect that must have on your mind is inconceivable.