Battle of Makin
Part of World War II, Pacific War
American troops of the 2d Battalion, 165th Infantry, struggle to shore on Yellow Beach on Butaritari Island
Date: 20 November 1943 – 24 November 1943 Location: Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands Result: American victory
Combatants
United States	Japan
Commanders
Richmond K. Turner Ralph C. Smith	Seizo Ishikawa
Strength
6, 470	400 troops, 400 labourers
Casualties
66 killed, 185 wounded	700 killed, 3 Japanese captured, 101 Korean labourers captured

The Battle of Makin was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 November to 24 November 1943 on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the use of images on this page may require cleanup, involving adjustment of image placement, formatting, size, or other adjustments. ... US landings in the Pacific, 1942–1945 The Pacific War was the part of World War II that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, 1937 to 1945. ... Troops of the 2nd Battalion, 165th Infantry, struggle to shore on Yellow Beach on Butaritari Island following a naval gunfire bombardment, 20 November 1943 Downloaded from [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Butaritari Atoll is an atoll of 10 islands in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... The Gilbert Islands are a chain of 16 atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the nation Kiribati. ... Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner (27 May 1885 – 12 February 1961) served in the United States Navy during World War II. Vice Admiral Turner, on board Eldorado Turner was born in Portland, Oregon. ... In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns, from November 1943 through February 1944, were the first offensive operations of the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Central Pacific. ... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Julian Smith Shibasaki Keiji Strength 35,000 2,600 troops, 1,000 Japanese workers and 1,200 Korean laborers Casualties 1,009 killed, 2,101 wounded 3,583 Japanese killed 1,169 Korean laborers killed 17 POWs and 129 Koreans freed The Battle of Tarawa... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Attack on Truk Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date 17 February 1944 – 18 February 1944 Place Truk, Caroline Islands Result Decisive American victory In World War II, Operation Hailstone was a massive naval air attack launched on 17 February and 18 February 1944 against the Japanese naval and air... Battle of Eniwetok Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date 17 February 1944 – 23 February 1944 Place Eniwetok Atoll, United States Japan Commanders Harry W. Hill Yoshimi Nishida Strength 2 regiments 2,000+ Casualties 339 killed or missing, 757 wounded 2,000+ dead, 16 captured The Battle of Eniwetok was... US landings in the Pacific, 1942–1945 The Pacific War was the part of World War II that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, 1937 to 1945. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the use of images on this page may require cleanup, involving adjustment of image placement, formatting, size, or other adjustments. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Butaritari Atoll is an atoll of 10 islands in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... The Gilbert Islands are a chain of 16 atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the nation Kiribati. ...

The end of the Aleutian Islands campaign and progress in the Solomon Islands, combined with increasing supplies of men and materials, gave the United States Navy the resources to carry out an invasion of the central Pacific in late 1943. Admiral Chester Nimitz had argued for this invasion earlier in 1943 but the resources were not available to carry it out at the same time as Operation Cartwheel, the envelopment of Rabaul in the Bismarck Islands. The plan was to approach the Japanese home islands by "leap-frogging": establishing naval and air bases in one group of islands to support the attack on the next. The Gilbert Islands were the first step in this chain. Combatants United States, Canada Japan Commanders Thomas C. Kinkaid (navy) Francis W. Rockwell (landings) Albert E. Brown (army) Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. ... The United States Navy (also known as USN or the U.S. Navy) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... Chester Nimitz Chester William Nimitz (February 24, 1885 – February 20, 1966) was the Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces for the United States and Allied forces during World War II. He was the United States leading authority on submarines, as well as Chief of the Navys Bureau of Navigation... The eastern part of the Territory of New Guinea, and the northern Solomon Islands; the area in which Operation Cartwheel took place, from June 1943. ... Space Radar Image of Rabaul Volcano Rabaul was the capital of East New Britain province, on New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea until 1994. ... The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the coast of New Guinea in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, named in honour of the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck and belonging to Papua New Guinea. ...

On 10 December 1941, three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 300 troops, plus laborers of the so-called Gilberts Invasion Special Landing Force had arrived off Makin Attol and occupied without resistance. Lying east of the Marshall islands, Makin would make an excellent seaplane base, extending Japanese air patrols closer to Howland Island, Baker Island, Tuvalu, also Fenix and Ellice Island, all held by the Allies and protecting the eastern flank of the japanese perimeter from an Allied attack. December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN) Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 planes 6 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 8 tankers, 23 fleet submarines, 5 midget submarines, 441 planes Casualties... Butaritari Atoll is an atoll of 10 islands in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... A DeHavilland Single Otter floatplane in Harbour Air livery. ... When spelt with a capital A, Allies usually denotes the countries supporting the Triple Entente who fought together against the Central Powers in World War I and against the Axis Powers in World War II. For more information, see the related articles: Allies of World War I and Allies of... In general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. ...

There had been a previous US attack on Makin. On 17 August 1942, 211 marines of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion under command of Colonel Evans Carlson and James Roosevelt were landed on Makin from two submarines, Nautilus (SS-168) and Argonaut (SS-166). The Japanese garrison only poses 43 men under the command of a warrant officer. The Raiders killed 83 Japanese soldiers and destroyed installations for the loss of 21 killed (mostly by air attack) and 9 captured. The prisoners were taken to Kwajalein Atoll and beheaded. The raid was intended by the Americans to confuse the Japanese about US intentions in the Pacific. However, it had the effect of alerting the Japanese to the strategic importance of the Gilbert Islands and led to their reinforcement and fortification. August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Marine Raiders on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, January 1944 The Marine Raiders were elite units established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare, particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines. ... Brigadier General Evans Fordyce Carlson (26 February 1896 - 27 May 1947) was the famed U.S. Marine Corps leader of the World War II Carlsons Raiders. ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) and his son James Roosevelt (1907-1991) in 1934. ... USS Nautilus (SF-9/SS-168), a Narwhal-class submarine and one of the V-boats, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to bear that popular ships name. ... The first USS Argonaut (SM-1/SF-7/SS-166/APS-1) was laid down as V-4 on 1 May 1925 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard. ... Infantry inspect a hole in the devasted Kwajalein Atoll Kwajalein Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), 2,100 nautical miles (3900 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, at 8. ...

After Carlson's raid, the Japanese reinforced the Gilberts, which had been left lightly guarded. Makin was garrisoned with a single company of the 5th Special Base Force, on August 1942 and work on both the seaplane base and coastal defenses of the atoll was resumed in earnest. By July 1943, the seaplane base on Makin was completed and ready to accommodate Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boat bomber, Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" hydrofighter and Aichi E13A "Jake" Recon-hydroplane. Its defenses were also completed, although they were not as extensive as on Tarawa Atoll—the main Japanese Navy air base in the Gilberts. The Chitose and 653rd Air Corps were detached and deployed here. While the Japanese were building up their defenses in the Gilberts, American forces were making plans to retake the islands. The Kawanishi H8K (二式大型飛行艇, Type 2 Large Flying Boat. ... Boeing 314 A flying boat is an aircraft that is designed to take off and land on water, in particular a type of seaplane which uses its fuselage as a floating hull (instead of pontoons mounted below the fuselage). ... The Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber is a single-crew seaplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11. ... The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name: Jake) was a longe-range reconaissance seaplane used by the Japanese Imperial Navy from 1941 to 1945. ... Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (大日本帝國海軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun) was the navy of Japan before 1945. ... Chitose (千歳) was a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It should not be confused with the earlier Japanese cruiser Chitose. ...

In June 1943, the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), to submit a plan to occupy the Marshall Islands. Initially both Nimitz and Admiral Ernest J. King the Chief of Naval Operations, wanted to attack right into heart of the Japanese outer defense perimeter, but any plan for assaulting the Marshall directly from Pearl Harbor would have required more troops and transports than the Pacific Fleet had at the time. Considering these drawbacks, and the U.S. forces lack of experience, Admirals King and Nimitz, decide to take the Marshalls in a step-by-step operation via the Ellice and Gilbert Islands. The Gilberts lay within 200 miles of the Southern Marshalls and were well within range of United States Army Air Forces B-24 aircraft based in the Ellice Islands, which could provide bombing support and long range reconnaissance for operations in the Gilberts. with a those of advantages in mind, on 20 July 1943, the joint Chiefs of Staff decided to capture the Tarawa and Abemama, atolls, in Gilberts, plus nearby Nauru Island. The operation was codenamed "Galvanic". The United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is part of the US Navy. ... The United States Pacific Command operates from suburban Honolulu in south central Oahu at the Nimitz-MacArthur Pacific Command Center. ... Admiral Ernest Joseph King (November 23, 1878 - June 25, 1956) was the Commander in Chief of the United States Navy during World War II. As such, he was Chester Nimitzs immediate superior but himself was subordinate to Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. ... Satellite image of Pearl Harbor. ... United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ... Tuvalu is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia. ... The Gilbert Islands are a chain of 16 atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the nation Kiribati. ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was a part of the U.S. Army during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ... Royal Canadian Air Force B-24 Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft, and was used by most of the Allied air forces in World War II. Designed as a heavy bomber, it served with distinction not only in that... July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... Map of the Tarawa atoll For other uses, see Tarawa (disambiguation). ... Abemama is an island in the central part of the Kiribati Group. ... The Republic of Nauru (pronounced nah-OO-roo), formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island republic in the South Pacific Ocean. ...

On 4 September 1943, the U.S. 5th Fleet's amphibious troops were designated the V Amphibious Corps and placed under Major General Holland M. Smith, U.S. Marine Corps. The V Amphibious Corps had the only two divisions, the 2nd Marine Division, based in New Zealand and the U.S. Army's 27th Infantry Division based in Hawaii. The 27th Infantry Division had been a New York National Guard unit before being called into federal service in October 1940. it was transferred to Hawaii and remained there for 1½ years before being chosen by Lt. Gen. Robert C. Richardson, the U.S. Army Commanding General in Central Pacific, to take part in the Gilbert Islands invasion. The 27th Division had 16,000 men in three regiments—the 105th, 106th and 165th Infantry Regiments, plus the 105th Field Artillery Battalion, and the 193rd Tank Battalion, under the command of Major General Ralph Smith, a veteran of World War I, who had assumed command in November 1942. He was one of the most highly respected officers in the U. S. Army at the time. In April 1943, the 27th Infantry Division had begun preparing for amphibious operations. September 4 is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years). ... The 5th Fleet of the United States Navy maintains a visible deterrent force in the Persian Gulf area. ... Holland Smith Holland McTyeire Howlin Mad Smith (April 20, 1882 – January 12, 1967) was a general in the US Marine Corps during World War II. He is sometimes called the father of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... The U.S. 2nd Marine Division is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground-force component of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the 27th Infantry Division. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Seal of the National Guard Bureau Seal of the Army National Guard Seal of the Air National Guard Seal of the National Guard Missile Defense The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air... There are at least two famous people with the name Robert C. Richardson. ... External link Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum Categories: Corporation stubs | Historical stubs | Defunct railroad companies of the United States | California railroads | Nevada railroads | Utah railroads | Historic civil engineering landmarks ... In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns, from November 1943 through February 1944, were the first offensive operations of the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Central Pacific. ... Ralph Smith (August 8, 1858 - February 17, 1917) was a Canadian politician. ... Combatants Allied Powers: British Empire France Kingdom of Italy Russian Empire Kingdom of Serbia United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria German Empire Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Nikolay II Nikolay Yudenich Radomir Putnik Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Oskar... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

While the men trained, planning for the landing operation continuing. planning for the 27th Infantry Division's role on "Operation Galvanic" (the Army portion was codenamed "Kourbash"), began in early August 1943, with the Nauru Island in the western Gilberts as the original objective. In September 1943, however, the 27th's target changed. Analysis of the trouble involved in capturing Nauru at the same time as Tarawa and Abemama, plus Holland Smith's doubts about the green 27th Infantry Division's ability to take the heavily defended island, caused Admiral Nimitz to shift the 27th's target from Nauru to Makin, in the Northeast Gilberts. The 27th Infantry Division staff learned the change of target on 28 September 1943, scrapped the original Nauru plan and began planning to capture Makin. Battle of Tarawa Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date November 20 – November 23, 1943 Place Tarawa Result American victory The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was the second time the United States was on the offensive (the Battle of... Kurbash or Kourbash (from the Arabic qurbash, a whip; Turkish qirbachi; and French courbachze), a whip or strap about a yard in length, made of the hide of the hippopotamus or rhinoceros. ... The Republic of Nauru (pronounced nah-OO-roo), formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island republic in the South Pacific Ocean. ... Map of the Tarawa atoll For other uses, see Tarawa (disambiguation). ... Abemama is an island in the central part of the Kiribati Group. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (272nd in leap years). ...

Heavy aircraft losses and the disabling of four heavy cruisers in the Solomons meant that the original Japanese plan of a strike at the American invasion fleet by forces based at Truk in the nearby Caroline Islands (South Pacific Mandate) was scrapped. The garrisons at Tarawa and Makin were left to their fate. A heavy cruiser is a type of large warship which originated with the British Hawkins class during World War I. They entered service after the war. ... The Solomon Islands is a nation in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea and is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. ... A view of Chuuk Chuuk is an island group that comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. ... Sunset at Colonia on Yap The Caroline Islands form a large archipelago of widely scattered islands in the western Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Guinea. ... The South Pacific Mandate (Nan-Yo) refers to a group of islands in Micronesia. ... Map of the Tarawa atoll For other uses, see Tarawa (disambiguation). ... Butaritari Atoll is an atoll of 10 islands in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ...

The invasion fleet, Task Force 52 (TF 52) commanded by Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner left Pearl Harbor on 10 November 1943. The landing force consisted of units of the U.S. 27th Infantry Division commanded by Major General Ralph C. Smith. Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner (27 May 1885 – 12 February 1961) served in the United States Navy during World War II. Vice Admiral Turner, on board Eldorado Turner was born in Portland, Oregon. ... November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 51 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the 27th Infantry Division. ...

On the eve of invasion, the Japanese garrison on Makin Atoll's main island, Butaritari, consisted of 798 men: 284 troops of the 3rd Special Base Force (Makin Detachment), 100 aviation land personnel, 276 men of the 4th Fleet Construction Unit, all commanded by Lt.j.g. Seizo Ishikawa. Most of aviation or Japanese and Korean labor units had little or no combat training and were not assigned weapons or a battle station, and the number of trained combat troops on Makin was no more than 300 soldiers. Butaritari Atoll and part of Makin (upper right) Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ...

Butaritari's land defenses were centered around the lagoon shore, near the seaplane base in the central part of island. There were two tank barrier systems: The west tank barrier extended from the lagoon two-thirds of the way across Butaritari, was 12 to 13 feet wide and 15 feet deep, and was protected by one anti-tank gun in a concrete pillbox, six machine gun positions, and 50 rifle pits. The east tank barrier, 14 feet wide and 6 feet in depth, stretched from the lagoon across two-thirds of island and bent westward with log antitank barricades at each end. it was protected by a double apron of barbed wire and an intrincate system of gun enplacements and rifle pits. Map of Makin Downloaded from [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Butaritari Atoll and part of Makin (upper right) Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... A bunker is a defensive warfare fortification to protect oneself. ... A selection of forms of barbed wire. ...

A serie of strongpoints was established along Butaritari's ocean side, with 8-inch coastal defenses guns, three 37 mm anti-tank gun positions, 10 machine gun emplacements and 85 rifle pits. The Japanese expected the invasion to come on the ocean side of Butaritari, following the example of Carlson's raid in 1942, and established their defenses two miles from where the raid had taken place. Without aircraft, ships, or hope of reinforcement or relief, the outnumbered and outgunned defenders could only hope to delay the coming American attack for as long as possibly. Butaritari Atoll and part of Makin (upper right) Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... Butaritari Atoll and part of Makin (upper right) Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ...

Air operations against Makin began on 13 November, with USAAF B-24 bombers of the Seventh Air Force from Ellice. Grumman FM-1 "Wildcat" fighters escorted Douglas SBD "Dauntless" dive bombers and Grumman TBF "Avengers" from escort carriers USS Liscome Bay, Coral Sea and Corregidor; following by 8-inch support guns from fire support ship Minneapolis (CA-36) and other war vessels and troops began to go ashore at two beaches at 08:30 on 20 November. November 13 is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 48 days remaining. ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was a part of the U.S. Army during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ... Royal Canadian Air Force B-24 Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft, and was used by most of the Allied air forces in World War II. Designed as a heavy bomber, it served with distinction not only in that... The Seventh Air Force (7 AF) is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) under the Pacific Air Forces major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force. ... The Grumman F4F Wildcat was the standard carrier-based fighter of the United States Navy for the first year and a half of World War II. An improved version built by General Motors (the General Motors FM Wildcat) remained in service throughout the war, on escort carriers where newer, larger... The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navys main scout bomber and dive bomber from mid-1940 until 1943, when it was replaced by the SB2C Helldiver. ... A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy. ... The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was an American torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and used by a large number of air forces around the world. ... USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Liscome Bay in Alaskas coast. ... USS Anzio (CVE-57), originally classfied as auxiliary aircraft carrier ACV-57, was laid down on 12 December 1942 by the Kaiser Shipbuilding Co. ... USS Corregidor (CVE-58) was laid down as Auguilla Bay (AVG-58) was reclassified ACV-58, 20 August 1942 and launched as Corregidor on 12 May 1943 by Kaiser Co. ... The second USS Minneapolis (CA‑36) was laid down 27 June 1921 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched 6 September 1933; sponsored by Miss Grace L. Newton; and commissioned 19 May 1934, Capt. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Largely as a result of the earlier U.S. Marine raid on Makin, the Japanese had garrisoned Butaritari as a seaplane base with a total strength of about 800 men by the time of the 27th Division landings. The actual combat strength was considerably less, however, since most of the troops were construction workers from Korea or ground crews assigned to service the seaplanes. Japanese combat troops numbered only about 300, and their prepared defenses were minimal. The defensive perimeter around the seaplane base on Butaritari Island consisted mainly of dual-purpose 8-cm. guns and a few machine guns. The island also boasted two tank-barrier systems, one on each side of the seaplane base around King's Wharf. Although not particularly formidable, these barriers stretched across the narrow island.

The initial landings on RED Beach went pretty much according to plan with the assault troops moving rapidly inland after an uneventful trip on the ocean side of the island. Their progress off the beach was slowed only by an occasional sniper and the need to negotiate their way around the debris and water-filled craters left by the air and naval bombardment. The troops on YELLOW Beach, however, experienced a rather different reception.

As the landing craft approached YELLOW Beach from the lagoon, they began to receive small-arms and machine-gun fire from the island's defenders. The assault troops were also surprised to learn that even though they were approaching the beach at high tide as planned, a miscalculation of the depth of the lagoon caused their small boats to go aground, forcing them to cover the final 250 yards to the beach in waist-deep water. Although equipment and weapons were lost or water-soaked, only three men were killed approaching the beach, mainly because the defenders had elected to make their final stand not at the waterline, but farther inland along the tank barriers.

The invasion plan was conceived in the hope of luring the enemy into committing most of its forces to oppose the first landings on RED Beach and thereby allow the troops landing on YELLOW Beach to attack from the rear. The enemy, however, did not respond to the attack on RED Beach and withdrew from YELLOW Beach with only harassing fires, leaving the troops of the 27th Division no choice but to knock out the fortified strongpoints one by one. Two days of determined fighting reduced enemy resistance to the point that the issue was no longer in doubt. After clearing the entire atoll, the 27th Division commander, Maj. Gen. Ralph C. Smith, reported on 23 November, "Makin taken." In the end the most difficult problem in capturing Makin, as one might have expected, was coordinating the actions of the two separate landing forces, a problem made more difficult because the defenders did not respond as had been anticipated.

As the landing craft approached YELLOW Beach from the lagoon, they began to receive small-arms and machine-gun fire from the island's defenders. The assault troops were also surprised to learn that even though they were approaching the beach at high tide as planned, a miscalculation of the depth of the lagoon caused their small boats to go aground, forcing them to cover the final 250 yards to the beach in waist-deep water. Although equipment and weapons were lost or water-soaked, only three men were killed approaching the beach, mainly because the defenders had elected to make their final stand not at the waterline, but farther inland along the tank barriers.

The invasion plan was conceived in the hope of luring the enemy into committing most of its forces to oppose the first landings on RED Beach and thereby allow the troops landing on YELLOW Beach to attack from the rear. The enemy, however, did not respond to the attack on RED Beach and withdrew from YELLOW Beach with only harassing fires, leaving the troops of the 27th Division no choice but to knock out the fortified strongpoints one by one. Two days of determined fighting reduced enemy resistance to the point that the issue was no longer in doubt. After clearing the entire atoll, the 27th Division commander, Maj. Gen. Ralph C. Smith, reported on 23 November, "Makin taken." In the end the most difficult problem in capturing Makin, as one might have expected, was coordinating the actions of the two separate landing forces, a problem made more difficult because the defenders did not respond as had been anticipated.

The complete occupation of Makin took four days and actually cost more in naval casualties than in ground troops. Despite its great superiority in men and weapons, the 27th Division had considerable difficulty subduing the island's small defensive force.

As compared to an estimated 395 killed in action, American combat casualties numbered 218 (66 killed and 152 wounded), a ratio of 6 to 1. But when the American losses incurred during the sinking of the escort carrier Liscome Bay on 24 December by a Japanese submarine are included, the loss balance tips toward the other side. Counting the 642 sailors who went down with the carrier, American casualties exceeded the strength of the entire Japanese garrison on Makin.

The complete occupation of Makin took four days and actually cost more in naval casualties than in ground troops. Despite its great superiority in men and weapons, the 27th Division had considerable difficulty subduing the island's small defensive force.

As compared to an estimated 395 killed in action, American combat casualties numbered 218 (66 killed and 152 wounded), a ratio of 6 to 1. But when the American losses incurred during the sinking of the escort carrier Liscome Bay on 24 December by a Japanese submarine are included, the loss balance tips toward the other side. Counting the 642 sailors who went down with the carrier, American casualties exceeded the strength of the entire Japanese garrison on Makin.

External links

• US Army Campaigns of World War II: Central Pacific 1941–1943
• Animated History of The Battle of Makin