By Gordon L. Rottman

After the Guadalcanal landings, Admiral Nimitz desired to distract eastern cognizance through launching an amphibious raid elswhere. Foreshadowing Bloody Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and numerous different landings within the face of severe jap resistance, the Makin Raid taught the Marines very much.

Featuring in particular commissioned full-color art and professional research, this gripping account of the fateful Makin Raid tells the total tale, from the plan's notion to its afflicted execution and aftermath.

On August 17-18, 1942, 211 males of the USA Marine Corps' 2d Raider Battalion performed a bold amphibious raid at the Japanese-occupied Makin Island within the South Pacific. This formidable yet improper operation was once meant to divert eastern reinforcements certain for Guadalcanal, over 1,000 miles to the southwest, within the wake of the USA landings there ten days previous; the Raiders have been to ruin the seaplane base and radio station, take prisoners, and acquire intelligence. even though yielding restricted effects, it was once to be a useful try of the leading edge education and strategies hired through the Raiders, and a very important improve to nationwide morale at this tough level within the war.

Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson led the 2d Raiders into conflict; drawing idea from the exploits of the British Commandos, Carlson had built his unorthodox theories at the use of normal troops for guerrilla operations in shut collaboration along with his govt Officer, significant James Roosevelt, the President's oldest son. Carlson under pressure infiltration strategies and an egalitarian method of management and decision-making, and believed passionately in "ethical indoctrination" as a method of motivating his males. His arguable strategies will be established to the maximum by means of the escalating scenario on Makin Island.

The raid was once hailed as a valorous make the most that significantly disappointed eastern plans. there's no doubt that the troops gave their top less than tremendously tough conditions, however the battalion's management was once discovered in need of. No jap reinforcements have been diverted from Guadalcanal; the mission's objectives have been questionable, and the planners had no longer thought of the most likely long term enemy reaction. in truth, the japanese instantly applied plans to enhance distant bases that got here lower than assault and hugely elevated the defenses of Makin and Tarawa Atolls, which needed to be handled at nice fee 15 months later. whereas the raid boosted morale at domestic, the raiders could try no extra comparable submarine-delivered raids.

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Extra info for Carlson's Marine Raiders - Makin Island 1942

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On reaching the surf line the boats would cast off, deploy into a single line, and land in unison. The boats would be concealed in the foliage beyond the beach to prevent their detection by aircraft. Both companies would establish a boat guard of at least one fire group. Company A to the left (west) would land on Beach “Y” and rapidly move northwest across the island to the main lagoon-side road. It would deploy security on its left (southwest) flank and capture the west half of Butaritari Village, including the Burns Philip Store.

Three narrow small-craft passages pierce the north side’s reef. There are a few scattered islets on the east end, while the long north side reef is clear of obstacles. At the northwest corner of the atoll is the mile-long wedge-shaped Bikati Island. A limb of the reef reaches 4 miles south along the atoll’s west side. It is 10½ miles across the west side between Bikati and Flink Point on the north end of Butaritari’s eastern T. The main entrance to the lagoon is on this west side between the little Kotabu Island (aka Entrance Island) and Flink Point.

It is not known if the Japanese bombed this area because they thought Marines were still there or by happenstance. Reportedly, some snipers who had stolen into the area were hit by their own bombs. Records do not indicate how many or what types of aircraft attacked. Although they broke off their attack after 30 minutes, the submarines remained underwater during the day and ran further out to sea to prevent aircraft over the island detecting them in the clear offshore waters. Being submerged, they were not in radio contact with Carlson.

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