THE CAPTURE OF
MAKIN
20 - 24 November 1943

book cover photo: Capture of Makin:20-24 November 1943

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
UNITED STATES ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1990

First printed by the Historical Division, War Department, for the American Forces in Action series, 1946

CMH Pub 100-2

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402


Foreword to CMH Edition

The Capture of Makin (20-24 November 1943) is one of a series of fourteen studies of World War II operations originally published by the War Department's Historical Division and now returned to print as part of the Army's commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of that momentous clash of arms. These volumes, prepared by professional historians shortly after the events described, provide a concise summary of some of the major campaigns and battles fought by American soldiers. The skillful combination of combat interviews with primary sources, many of which are now lost, gives these unassuming narratives a special importance to military historians. The careful analysis of key operations provides numerous lessons for today's military students.

I am pleased that this entire group of studies will once again be available. I urge all military students and teachers to u se them to enhance our collective awareness of the skill, leadership, daring, and professionalism exhibited by our military forebears.

Washington, D.C.
15 September 1989

HAROLD W. NELSON
Colonel, FA
Chief of Military History


Foreword

In a nation at war, teamwork by the whole people is necessary for victory. But the issue is decided on the battlefield, toward which all national effort leads. The country's fate lies in the hands of its soldier citizens; in the clash of battle is found the final test of plans, training, equipment, and-above all-the fighting spirit of units and individuals.

AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION SERIES presents detailed accounts of particular combat operations of United States forces. To the American public, this record of high achievement by men who served their nation well is presented as a preface to the full military history of World War II. To the soldiers who took part in the operations concerned, these narratives will give the opportunity to see more clearly the results of orders which they obeyed and of sacrifices which they and their comrades made, in performance of missions that find their weaning in the outcome of a larger plan of battle.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Chief of Staff

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Historical Division
Washington 25, D.C.
18 February 1946

The first full-scale effort to recover from the Japanese some of their strongholds in the Central Pacific was the expedition to the Gilbert Islands in November, 1943. Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard furnished components of the expeditionary forces. The Army elements were commanded by Maj. Gen. Ralph C. Smith. They comprised the 27th Infantry Division Task Force, derived principally from that division but with many provisional units attached. The Capture of Makin narrates the Army's part of the campaign, which was the prelude to later advance among the Marshall Islands.

This study is based upon a first narrative prepared in the field from military records and from notes and interviews recorded during the operation by Lt. Col. S. L. A. Marshall. His manuscript has been edited and partially rewritten with the help of additional documentation by Maj. John M. Baker and Dr. George F. Howe. Although in published form the book contains no documentation, the original manuscript, fully documented, is on file in the War Department. One photograph (p. 113) is by the U. S. Coast Guard; the aerials (pp. 10, 38, 51, 52, 58, 78, 82, 102, 114) are by the U. S. Navy. All others were taken by the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Readers are urged to send directly to the Historical Division, War Department, Washington 25, D.C., comments, criticism, and additional information which may be of value in the preparation of a complete and definitive history of the operation at Makin.

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Contents
  Page
INTRODUCTION 1
PREPARING THE ATTACK  
     The Planning Begins 7
     Makin Atoll 9
     The Tactical Plan 16
     Training and Equipping the Attacking Force 21
THE ASSAULT FROM THE WESTERN BEACHES  
     The Approach 29
     The Assault Begins 34
     The 1st BLT Advances 41
     The 3d BLT Advances 44
     Conditions at the Beach 47
TAKING THE WEST TANK BARRIER  
     Landings at Yellow Beach 51
     The Mission of the 2d BLT 64
     From Yellow Beach to the West Tank Barrier 69
     Advance to the West Tank Barrier from the West 75
     Holding Action to the East 81
     Situation at the Close of D Day 87
THE DRIVE EASTWARD  
     The First Night 93
     Preparing the Second Day's Attack 95
     The Second Day's Advance 100
     The Second Night 107
     The Advance Beyond the Bight 111
     "Saki Night" 118
     The Island's Tip Is Reached 121
THE END OF THE MAKIN EXPEDITION  
     Preparations for Departure 125
     Reembarkation 128
     Mopping Up 130
CONCLUSION 132
ANNEX NO. 1: ABBREVIATIONS 136

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Illustrations
  Page
Maj. Gen. Ralph C. Smith 6
Butaritari 10
Alligators at Makin 19
Western Beaches 34
Landing Barges Circle 35
Red Beach 2 38
Troops on Red Beach 1 39
Terrain Torn Up 43
A Flank Patrol 45
Infantry Moves Along Main Island Highway 48
Western Half of Yellow Beach Area 51
Yellow Beach Under Attack 52
Causeway of King's Wharf 55
Terrain Near the West Tank Barrier 58
Storming Yellow Beach 60
Second Wave Approaching Yellow Beach 61
Engineers at Yellow Beach 63
Section of Antitank Trench 66
Command Post Message Center 70
Well-Concealed Pillboxes 73
Antitank Gun Emplacements 74
Light Tanks 76
West Tank Barrier 78
Action From Eastern Half of Yellow Beach 82
Fox Holes on Yellow Beach 88
Battalion Medical Aid Station 90
Enemy Dual-Purpose Gun 94
Medium Tanks Shelling King's Wharf 96
Observation Tower 102
Many Bomb Shelters 103
Japanese Radio Transmitting Station 104
Interior of Enemy Radio Station 105
Third Battalion 113
East Tank Barrier 114
Japanese Tankette 116
Tanks Return From Eastern Butaritari 122
A Japanese Prisoner 125
Column Marching Toward Yellow Beach 128
Airfield Construction Equipment 130

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Maps
No.   Page
1. Central and South Pacific x
2. The Gilberts and The Marshalls 2
3. Makin Atoll 8
4. Butaritari Island 13
5. Attack from the West 14
6. The First Night on Butaritari 86
7. The Second Day's Advance 100
8. Reaching the Eastern Tip 110
9. Main Defensive Area of Butaritari Inside back cover
9a. Attack from the Lagoon (Overlay) Inside back cover

Charts
No.   Page
1. 27th Division Task Force (5206) at Makin 22
2. Loading Plan 26
3. Organization for Makin Expedition 32

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MAP NO. 1

map no.1: Central and South Pacific

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page created 9 November 2001


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