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Concept
Raid on Makin Island
Summary
The Raid on Makin Island (17–18 August 1942) was an attack by the United States Marine Corps Raiders on Japanese military forces on Makin Island (now known as Butaritari) in the Pacific Ocean. The aim was to destroy Imperial Japanese installations, take prisoners, gain intelligence on the Gilbert Islands area, and divert Japanese attention and reinforcements from the Allied landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Only the first of these objectives were achieved, but the raid did boost morale and provide a test for Raider tactics.
The raid was among the earliest American offensive ground combat operations of World War II. The force was drawn from the 2nd Raider Battalion and comprised a small battalion command group and two of the battalion's rifle companies. Because of space limitations aboard ship, each company embarked without one of its rifle sections. Headquarters Battalion, A Company, and 18 men from B Company—totalling 121 Marines—embarked aboard the submarine , and the remainder of B Company—totalling 90 men—embarked aboard . The raiding force was designated Task Group 7.15 (TG 7.15).
The Imperial Japanese Navy created the Makin Atoll Garrison in 1942. It was part of the Marshall Islands Garrison and was officially titled the 62nd Garrison Force. At the time of the Makin raid the total force opposing the American landing consisted of 71 armed personnel of the Japanese seaplane base led by Warrant Officer (Heisouchou) Kyuzaburo Kanemitsu of the Special Naval Landing Force equipped with light weapons. There were also four members of the seaplane tender base and three members of a meteorological unit. Two civilian personnel were attached to the Japanese forces as interpreters and civilian administrators.
On 17 August 1942 the Marine Raiders were launched in "Landing Craft Rubber Large" (LCRL) inflatable boats powered by small, outboard motors shortly after midnight on 17 August. At 05:13, Companies A and B of the 2nd Raider Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson, successfully landed on Makin.
Official source
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