Battle of Eniwetok

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With the capture of Baker, Howland, Tarawa, and Makin Islands in the Gilberts, the strategy of short steps by island hopping came to an end. It was decided after long consideration and many conferences between Amry, Navy and Air authorities to move in on the Marshalls and if possible wrest these strongholds from the Japanese in a single coordinated operation. The taking of the Marshalls in a matter of a few weeks not only threw the Japanese off-stride but constituted a tremendous saving of time and casualties in the Pacific campaign.

The enemy expected the next attacks to be made on WotJe and Maloeap, or possibly on Mili and Jaluit. However, it was decided to bypass all of these islands and strike at the very heart of the Marshalls at Kwajalein and Eniwetok. The major units selected for this task were as follows:

The 7th Infantry Division, USA

The Fourth Marine Divigion, USN

One Regimental Combat Team of the 27th Infantry Division, USA

The 7th Air Force, USAF

Task Sorce 52, USN

Task Force 53, USN

Attack Group 51.2, USN

The joint expeditionary force was commanded by Rear Admiral Turner, who also commanded Task Force 52. Task Force 53 was commanded by Rear Admiral Connelly, USN, and Attack croup 51.2, by Rear Admiral Hill.

With the Southern Attack Force (TF 52) was the Southern Landing Force consisting of the 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Corlett, and with the Northern Attack Force (TF 53) was the Northern Landing Force consisting of the 4th Marine Division, Commanded by Major General Schmidt, USMC.

With the Attack Group was the Majuro Landing Force consisting of the Second Battalion, 106th Infantry of the 27th Division, reinforced by the 5th Amphibious Reconnaisance Company, and commanded by Lt. Colonel Sheldon, USA. The Reserve Landing Force consisted of the balance of the 106th Infantry and all of the 22nd Marine Regiment under the command of Brigadier General Watson, USMC. It is this Reserve Landing Force which fought the battle of Eniwetok Atoll.

All Troops involved in this force received thorough battle conditioning training in the Hawaiian Islands. They were put through courses of instruction and practice in jungle fighting, jungle living, booby traps, demolitions, sniping, infiltration, patrolling, ambushing, and assault of Jap-type pill boxes. Battalion landing teams were instructed in the use of floating equipment and embarkation-debarkation procedures. Exercises were conducted in the attack of fortified positions involving the use of chemical mortars, flame throwers, grenades, engineer-infantry teams, and tanks. Rehearsals were held in areas approximating the conditions in the Marshalls on the island of Maui and Navy-Ground Forces coordination carefully checked.

While all these preparations for "D" Day were taking place, the Navy and Air Forces proceeded with their softening-up process on all islands upon which Japanese installations were located. Beginning on 1 January 1944, the Marshalls were bombed by Army planes from Tarawa and Makin. Daily the tempo of this bombardment was increased, and beginning with "D" Day-2, was further augmented by aircraft of the Carrier Force and by the guns of heavy cruisers which raided the islands. By "D" Day-1 there were battleships, cruisers, and air bombardment by Army and Navy planes, who joined to soften up completely the enemy located on these islands. One of these forces, the Carrier Force, was under the command of Rear Admiral Marc Mitcher. This was the famous Task Force 58 which played such an important part in driving the Japanese Navy out of the Western Pacific.

Not satisfied with merely softening up the enemy positions in the Marshalls, Army and Carrier-based-aircraft carried out bombing assignments as far west as Truk in order to attain and keep air supremacy during the battle. Proof of the successful accomplishment of their mission lies in the fact that during the assault on the Marshalls, no enemy plames were encountered on the ground or in the air. It was a demonstration of complete American air supremacy. Kwajalein was assaulted on 1 February 1944. "D" Day for Eniwetok was set for eighteen days later.

Eniwetok lies 330 miles northwest of Kwajalein. It is almost a completely circular atoll, roughly 40 miles across, and consists of some 30 small islands. The three largest islands, Engebi, Eniwetok and Parry were defended in strength by the enemy. Aerial photographs taken periodically showed that these islands were in the process of being built up into strong defense positions by the Japanese. Striking several months sooner than they expected prevented the completion of these fortifications.

Admiral Hill, the Commander of the Eniwetok Expeditionary Force, made his plans based on four separate phases for the operation. The first phase was to include the seizure of the two small islands, Canna and Camellia, south of Engebi, where artillery was to be installed to lay down a barrage on Engebi. This artillery was to come from the 104th Field Artillery and the Second Separate Marine Pack Howitzer Battalion. The two small islands were to be seized by the Recon Troop of the 5th Amphibious Corps.

The second phase was to be the seizure of Engebi by the 22nd Marine Regiment with the 106th Infantry in reserve.

In the third phase, the 106th Infantry was to seize both Eniwetok and Parry.

The fourth phase envisioned the completion of the capture of the remaining islands in the atoll by both the 106th Infantry and the 22nd Marines.

ASSAULT OPERATIONS

The seizure of the atoll involved amphibious assaults on three strongly defended islands. Under terms of the broad plan, these islands were to be attacked one at a time, capture to be completed before the assault on the next. The usual procedures in island campaigns were followed. The islands were subjected to heavy gun and bomb attack which was continuous from the time of the arrival of the task group until troops landed on the island. For a period of two hours immediately before the landing of troops, each island was subjected to concentrated destructive fire. Landings were made on all these islands from the lagoon beaches and in each case with two battalions abreast.

Under the plan, Engebi, Parry, and most of the minor islands were to be a Marine show; Eniwetok was to be the mission of the Army Ground Troops. "D" Day was 17 February 1944. On the morning of 17 February, the Task Force moved into the lagoon by way of Wide Passage and Deep entrance and took up their positions preparatory to the launching of the concentrated bombardment. Air strikes were correlated with the fire of heavy, medium, and light guns of Naval craft ranging from battleships to destroyers.

Action with the enemy commenced at 0700, when the INDIANAPOLIS and the PORTLAND begin laying down fire on the main islands flanking the lagoon entrances. The Japanese dod not return this fire. It was later learned they had orders not to fire on ships entering the lagoon in order that their presence on these islands would not be disclosed. After this fire was completed, the INDIANAPOLIS and PORTLAND remained outside until the lagoon could be swept for mines. Minesweeping was conducted by two sections of minesweeping vessels. The vessels were the ORACLE, SAGE, CHANDLER and ZANE. Only one mine field was located. This field was in the southern part of the lagoon, running in a east-west direction and partially covered the entrance to Wide Passage. A total of 28 mines was found. Of these, 19 were detonated by gun fire and the others sank. No ships were lost in the operation by mine explosions. After the minesweepers completed their work, the remainder of the vessels entered the lagoon and were anchored within the areas that had been cleared of mines. There was no enemy fire during this entire operation. To forestall any attempt by the Japanese to rake the decks of nearby ships with small arms fire, the combatant ships fired into shore positions with their 40-MM batteries as they passed close by the entrance islands.

Engebi was to be the first island assaulted. Fire upon this island commenced early on the morning of 17 February and continued without interruption until the morning of the following day. The COLORADO and LOUISVILLE were the first to open fire on this island, commencing at 0716. These ships fired at ranges between 4,000 and 14,000 yards. Starting about 1120, the TENNESSEE and PENNSYLVANIA commenced their bombardment and fired until 1900. During the day two air strikes were made on Engebi, bombardment from ships being discontinued during the strikes. Two small islands, about four miles east of Engebi, had been selected as the positions on which artillery would be mounted. Landings on these islands were scheduled for 1230, 17 February but because of delays were not made until 1318. The 5th Amphibious Corps Reconnaissance Company made the landings without incident and both islands were secured by 1400. The Second Separate Pack Howitzer Battalion (Marine) and the 104th Field Artillery Battalion were landed from LST's immediately following the assault teams. At 1950 that night harassing fire by these two batterics was commenced against Engebi.

It was during the landings on these small islands that several natives were found, who informed our troops that Eniwetok and Parry Islands were strongly held with about 1,000 Japanese on each lsland. The 22nd Marine Regiment had been designated to make the assault on Engebi and during the afternoon of the 17th the 1st and 2nd Battalions were transferred to their designated LST's. At 1700 a reconnaissance unit embarked in two LVT (A)'s to reconnoiter approaches to the landing beaches. Their mission was to locate and mark reefs and shoals and to spot mines. Heavy supporting fire was delivered for this operation from the TENNESSEE, PENNSYLVANIA, DcDORD and HEERMANN. This was the first unit to come under enemy fire. Some machine gun and rifle fire from the beach was directed at them. During the night one company of tanks was landed on Bogon Island in order to prevent possible escape of enemy troops from Engebi. Because of darkness and heavy seas, the company became separated and only half of the organization eventually landed on Bogon. No enemy personnel was discovered but a few fox-holes and dugouts were observed. Fire was also delivered during the afternoon of the 17th on Eniwetok and Parry Islands, because enemy activity had been observed there. This fire was delivered by the INDIANAPOLIS, PORTLAND, and later the TRATHEN. Several fires were started, presumably in Japanese installations.

Following the usual pre-landing procedures, an intense bombardment and air strike look place on Engebi beginning at 0843 on 18 February. Two battalions of Marines landed and overcame enemy resistance very quickly. By 1600 the Island was reported secured. During the attack by the Marines on Engebi, elements of the 5th Amphibious Corp Recon Company and the Scout Company were methodically occupying the smaller islands along the reefs. Japanese resistance of Engebi, although ferocious, was marked by an obvious lack of preparation. Numerous underground shelters and coral lined pill boxes were found as were sniper positions in coconut trees. However, so rapid was the Marine advance that few requests were made upon the ships for call fires.

In the attack on Engebi our losses wore 78 killed, 166 wounded, and 7 missing, for a total of 251. The number of Japanese dead buried on Engebi was 934. Sixteen prisoners were taken.

So heavy and accurate was the Navy and air bombardment that observers stated destruction was greater than that which had occurred on Kwajalein. Practically all structures above ground were demolished. A prisoner stated that about half the defenders were killed or wounded prior to the landings.

During the afternoon of 18 February, advance preparations were made for the attack on Eniwetok Island. The 106th Regimental Combat Team of the 27th Division was designated to make this assault. Eniwetok was attacked on the morning of 19 February but because of strong enemy resistance, heavy jungle growth, and accurate enemy fire, this island was not secured until the evening of the 21st. The 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Marine Regiment, which was the reserve for the 106th RCT, was landed early in the afternoon of the 19th to aid the Infantry Battalion, which was attacking to the south. It was this Battalion of Marines which struck and won the main Japanese defensive position on the island.

Naval gun fire which supported this day and night operation came from the PORTLAND, INDIANAPOLIS, TRATHEN, HOEL, and HAGGARD. Our losses on Eniwetok Island were 34 killed, 94 wounded, and 3 missing, for a total of 131. 700 Japanese were buried on the island and 25 prisoners were taken.

Because progress on Eniwetok Island was slow, it was decided on 20 February to delay the attack on Perry Island in order that reorganization of combat troops could be accomp]ished. According to plans, Parry Island was subjected to continuous bombardment from the afternoon of 17 February until the morning of the 22nd of February, the time of the landings. The following ships participated in this bombardment: TENNESSEE, PENNSYLVANIA, COLORADO, INDIANAPOLIS, LOUISVILLE, PORTLAND, HALL, AYLWIN, MacDONOUGH, MONAGAHN, JOHNSTON, McCORD, and HAILEY. It was reinforced by the fire of the Pack Howitzer Battalion from Japtan Island located just north of Parry.

As in the case of Engebi and Eniwetok, an air strike was made just before the assault troops landed. The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 22nd Marines were selected for the assault and proceeded to the lagoon beach approximately in the center of Parry. The first wave met some opposition at the beach from rifle and mortar fire but casualties were small. Troops advanced rapidly about 100 yards after which the advance slowed down; however, about l315 the north end of the island was in our hands. At 1330 a coordinated attack was launched to the south by two battalions. Full use was made of artillery, Naval gun fire, and tanks. In spite of dense jungle growth, the attack moved foward at the rapid rate of about 250 yards per hour throughout the day. At 1924 the island was declared secured but mopping up operations continued throughout the night and until about 1000 the following morning.

During the night fighting, star shell illumination was maintained over the island continuously. This illumination proved to be very effective, in one instance revealing a party of Japanese in the act of launching a counterattack. These Japanese were quickly annihilated. Our losses on Parry were 57 killed, 261 wounded, and 16 missing, for a total of 334. 1,027 Japanese were buried on the island.

From 17 February until 22 February various Navy and Army units made successful landings on the smaller islands such as Bokonaarappu, Aomon, Muzinbaarikki, and Runnitto. By evening of the 23rd, Eniwetok Atoll was won.
  
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