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About 4,000 kilometers southwest of the Hawaii Islands, the Marshall Islands represented part of the perimeter of the Japanese Pacific empire. The former German colony was given to Japan after the closure of WW1, and had since been an important part of both offensive and defensive plans of the Japanese Navy. By the end of 1943, Admiral Mineichi Koga of the Japanese Combined Fleet knew the Americans were eyeing the islands, but he could not figure out where they would strike. His difficulties were further complicated by the lack of carrier aircraft, as they were taken away from him in an attempt to reinforce land-based squadrons. With his hands tied, all Koga could do was to send his submarines out as forward observers and order the regional commander in Truk Admiral Masashi Kobayashi to reinforce the island garrisons that were most exposed to American attacks. Kobayashi shifted men to the outer islands of Jaluit, Mili, Wotje, and Maloelap. In total, Kobayashi had 28,000 troops available to him in the Marshall Islands. For a garrison that size ground fortifications were sub-par, but that was rather by design at this stage of the war, for that Tokyo had since decided that the Marshall Islands were to serve only as a part of a delay action campaign. The new defensive perimeter was to be established much closer to the home islands.

American intelligence decoded Japanese messages and detected movements for the outer islands, and decided to change the invasion plans. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the Americans were now bypassing the reinforced outer islands; they were now directly attacking Kwajalein and Eniwetok.

Prelude
Nov-Dec 1943

Rear Admiral J. H. Hoover's land-based B-24 Liberator bombers and other attack aircraft of the 7th Air Force from Ellice and Gilbert Islands attacked Mille and Maloelap as early as Nov 1943. ON 3 Dec, Rear Admiral Charles Pownall's Task Force 50 launched a carrier strike against Kwajalein with planes from four fleet carriers and two light carriers. The strike destroyed four transports and fifty Japanese aircraft, though the damage achieved little strategic importance. Upon recovery of the planes, Pownall cancelled a planned second strike against the Wotje Atoll in fear of a Japanese counterattack. The counterattack came in the form of night bombing attacks, which the Americans had no means of defense from the air since the American pilots had no night flight training. Lexington took a torpedo hit in one of the night strikes, but the entire task force would eventually return to Pearl Harbor.

Majuro atoll was named to be a forward base in preparation of the invasion. Rear Admiral Harry Hill landed the Reconnaissance Company of the V Amphibious Corps of the United States Marine Corps and the 2nd Battalion of the 106th Infantry of the US Army's 7th Infantry Division, taking the lightly defended atoll on 31 Jan without any casualties.

Battle of Kwajalein Atoll
29 Jan-3 Feb 1944

Logistical problems caused the invasion plans against the Marshall Islands to become delayed for one month, but as soon as Chester Nimitz could gather all the troop transports he needed, he launched Operation Flintlock against the Kwajalein atoll in the south. Rear Admiral Richmond Turner commanded the forces against Kwajalein Island, with Major General Charles Corlett's 7th Infantry Division of the US Army on board. Rear Admiral Richard Connolly, with Major General Harry Schmidt's 4th Marine Division, sailed the Roi-Namur Islands in the north. Rear Admiral Harry Hill's task force was designated the reserve force ready to assist any of the two invasion forces after securing Majuro. The entire operation was covered in the sky by Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher's planes from six fleet carriers and six light carriers, which was escorted by eight battleships and a full compliment of cruisers and destroyers.

Overall The Japanese garrison at the Kwajalein atoll consisted of 8,000 men, but only half of them were combat capable. The other half consisted of conscripts, laborers (many of whom were Koreans), and the Navy's aircraft support personnel. Rear Admiral Monzo Akiyama, located on Kwajalein Island, knew he lacked strong fortifications but his capability to coordinate a damaging aerial counterattack potentially could make up for his shortfalls.

The opening chapter of the invasion destroyed On 29 Jan 1944, American carrier aircraft attacked Roi-Namur, destroying 92 of the 110 Japanese aircraft that survived the pre-invasion strikes over the previous two months. Akiyama had just lost his ability to mount an effective aerial counterstrike.

The Roi-Namur invasion started smoothly on 31 Jan on five nearby small islands, but weather and inexperience in amphibious operations caused major confusion and delays during the actual landing on Roi-Namur on the next day. Nevertheless, luck stood with the Americans as Japanese resistance was much lighter than expected after the successful pre-invasion aerial and naval bombardment. The landers only faced a garrison of 300 Japanese. Roi-Namur was secured with only 51 Japanese survived out of the garrison of 3,000 men.

After a similar first phase of capturing smaller outlying islands in the atoll on 31 Jan, the 1 Feb southern Kwajalein landings went much more smoothly. The 7th Infantry Division's men, vehicles, and equipment were unloaded with order and efficiency. Part of the reason was because most of the Japanese defenses were established on the ocean side of the island instead of the reef siding; when the defenses were constructed, the Americans had not yet achieved the ability to traverse over coral reefs. Another reason was an effective pre-landing bombardment. Commander Anthony Kimmins of the British Royal Navy observed the American landings at Kwajalein, and was amazed at the effectiveness of the pre-invasion bombardment. He said

He commented that the bombardment was "the most brilliant success" he ever witnessed.

Akiyama countered the Americans with a series of fierce infantry charges backed by strong bunkers and pillboxes when the Americans advanced. By the start of 2 Feb, only 1,500 out of the original 5,000 garrison were still alive. Much like Roi-Namur, by the time the island was secured, only 265 men survived as captured prisoners; all the rest perished. The Americans lost one for every 100 killed.

Battle of Eniwetok Atoll
17-21 Feb 1944

Eniwetok was an atoll with a series of small islands and islets offering little more than two square miles of land, but the location was strategic, for that they could provide airfields for the subsequent invasion of the Marianas. Major General Yoshimi Nishida bolstered the defenses of the main island some time before Jan 1944, but the small size of the island meant that defense in depth was nearly impossible. Any American attempt to invade the island must be stopped at the beaches, otherwise the main island of Eniwetok would be lost. The main island was guarded by 4,000 men, of which about half were of the Japanese Army and the other half various naval personnel.

The invasion, Operation Catchpole, began with a naval bombardment on 17 Feb, while 8,000 Marines and 2,000 Army infantry waited aboard transports. On the same day, the 22nd Marine Regiment commanded by Colonel John Walker on Engebi Island in the northern side of the atoll. The Engebi landing was a logistical nightmare that embarrassed Marine Corps Brigadier General Watson who oversaw the operation, though he made up his initial mistakes by securing the island at a casualty count of only 85. On 19 Feb, the 106th Infantry Regiment landed on the main island of Eniwetok after only a brief bombardment. The brief bombardment proved to be ineffective. With automatic fire cris-crossing the landing beaches, American men and equipment soon formed a congested mess, repeating the same logistical nightmare that haunted the invaders. Nevertheless, the island was secured by 21 Feb at the loss of 37 Americans; similarly, nearly the entire 800-strong Japanese garrison died. Next, Watson led his Marines (leaving the Army to occupy Eniwetok Island) to Parry Island. The landers faced similar defenses on Parry, but the logistical problems were averted by a thorough naval bombardment led by battleships Tennessee and Pennsylvania, delivering over 900 tons of explosives on the Japanese defenses before the 22nd Marine Regiment made their landing. Parry Island was secured the next day.

With the Marshall Islands under American control ten weeks ahead of schedule, Allied engineers started to construct the islands as forward bases for the next phase of the island hopping campaign toward the Japanese home islands.

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
   2 Aug 2006 01:08:33 PM
   
   An article appeared in the Atlanta Georgia paper,saying that a Georgia marine and a N.Y. marine had captured the first prisioners on the Island The Georgia boy was my brother Henry Durwood Howard. This must have been Jan. of 1944. I was a child of 4 at the time and many years have passed since my brother was killed just a few days later. In June I went to the burial site in ohau,and it has kindled an interest that I didnt even know still existed. I have tried in the last few years to locate the other man who was envolved in my brothers heroism. It would be so great to talk to someone about all of this. Thanks to whomever,
   Wylene Howard Brown
   Quitman Georgia
   
2. wylene howard brown says:
   22 Oct 2006 12:18:47 PM
   
   I am still hoping to hear from someone familiar with this situation. Wylene
3. Charles Aucoin says:
   15 Feb 2007 10:05:59 AM
   
   Does anyone have any info on PLT SGT Charles Lada KIA Roi-Namur in operation flintlock He was my uncle and I never met him although I am named after him
4. thomas j rose says:
   28 Feb 2007 06:02:54 PM
   
   my father in law fought in this battle, as well as others in this campaign. we have photos of the aftermath.
5. john biggs says:
   16 Sep 2007 06:53:26 AM
   
   My dad fought in this battle...he was in the 4th Marine div. he left the US and sailed directly to the island...This was the first for him and seven more invasions follow...And they cry because they have to extend thier tour in Iraq????
6. Anonymous says:
   24 Sep 2007 02:53:45 PM
   
   The USS Competent swept two mines at Arno Atoll in the Mashalls.They were said to be the first **** mines swept in the pacific
7. j.petkovich says:
   11 Nov 2007 10:14:11 AM
   
   My dad, Sam Petkovich, fought in this invasion and was wounded. He was taken to Pearl Harbor to recover. Dad passed away just three years (2004) but I have photos and a certificate Domain of Neptunus Rex ( a pirate document of sorts) that the marines signed giving the name of the ship and the date, January 25th, 1944.
8. arogers says:
   11 Mar 2008 01:43:37 PM
   
   My father, P. Mims Rogers, was a Major with the 7th Infantry and fought in this battle under General Corlett, and I have a picture of them together. I would love any information about this battle.
9. Jamie LeClair says:
   25 Nov 2008 10:43:30 AM
   
   If anyone has information on PLTSGT Herbie "Frenchy" LeClair please call. Unit was VAC 5th Amphib Corps Recon Company with LT Harvey Weeks when they captured the **** Warrent Officer on Majuro. My uncle transported him back to the ship USS Kane. 320-629-3212
10. Tom says:
    9 Apr 2010 03:08:25 AM
    
    I have a photograph of my father, Captain Maguire, MD, with Mag. Gen Corlett on Kwajalein.
    The number in the bottom tight corner is W-CPA-44-106-AV.
    Can anyone translate that and how is it possible to look up in Army Archives?
    Thanks,
    Tom
11. Doris says:
    22 Apr 2010 04:07:01 AM
    
    My father told me he fought in Marshell Island in 1944?, he recieved the bronze star what I dont know. I have a picture of him and a buddy in their MP unifrom taken in
    South Pacific. He was in Army infantry, thats all I know would love to know more.
    His name Roy Patton.
12. mark wheeless says:
    24 Apr 2010 09:06:11 AM
    
    My dad Tommy Oran Wheeless was in the army 1939-45. he passed in 1994. he recieved 3 purple hearts, i believe he fought on the marshall islands.
13. Cecilia L. Fabos-Becker says:
    4 May 2010 12:02:41 AM
    
    After a long effort, I finally obtained my father's USMC records of his service in WWII--or what's left of them or available. There's a big gaping hole instead of details for the period between Feb. 25, 1944 and August, 1945 and then again until 1946 when he was sent to San Diego. This "hole" begins with him being sent "into the field" on Feb. 25, 1944 via "Cape Victory" (a troop ship made by Consolidated Steel, Wilmington DE. He was in the Provisional Signal Corps, Service Battalion, 5th Amphib.. He verbally told me and my brother that he'd been at Peleliu, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He told my brother he was captured on Okinawa and escaped on his second try. After the first try the Japanese skinned his best friend alive and made him watch. We believe he had been promoted at one point from Cpl. to Sgt, sometime in 1944 and busted back to Cpl after what he did to the Japanese who killed his friend. However, we have only a few verbal bits from my late father. The most he ever talked about his experiences was about 10-15 minutes and only about four times that any of us can remember. He was still having occasional "bad dreams" etc. that he wouldn't discuss but sent him at last to a psychologist in the last couple of years before he died in 2005. I wish the VA had provided that service when he spent the first six years of my life avoiding the contiguous 48 states, cities, noise, etc.--and his family, or when he finally "came home" he had such anger management issues that he nearly killed me twice--before I was 8 years old. If anyone recognizes the name John George Fabos, out of the Signal Corp for the Service Battalions in the 5th Amphib. Corps, please let me know, especially if you know anything about what all he did, when and where. We have nothing in the "declassified" record we were given. He did have several medals, etc. and all were stolen in a burglary of his late parents' house when it had passed to a cousin, while she was in a nursing home, after a traffic accident. I didn't even receive a record of his medals from the National Archives. As I said, there is this big hole in his records.
    
    Cecilia L. Fabos-Becker, San Jose, CA
    celia.lfsbecker@sbcglobal.net
14. sola says:
    4 May 2010 03:30:26 AM
    
    Amazing Flintlock operation.
    My question why the boss of landing force in Kwajalein (south) is Army General ? Not Marine General ?
    
    Thanks
    Sola
15. Gunnar Bersos says:
    8 Jul 2010 11:24:30 AM
    
    I hope anonymous of item #6 will email me I was there and would like to talk to him
16. Gunnar Bersos says:
    8 Jul 2010 08:25:15 PM
    
    Looking for any of the crew of the Competent who were at the Palau Islands September 1944
17. Stephen Stafford says:
    27 Aug 2010 11:07:38 PM
    
    My father, Donald Edward Stafford, was shot down and crashed into the lagoon. His plane was a B-26. He was rescued by natives. He spent the next year in Hawaii recovering from his wounds and was headed to Guam aboard ship when the war ended.
    This is all I know.
    I would like to know what unit he would have been with during the Marshall islands campaign and any other info that some one could provide.
    
    Thank You

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