APPENDIX D
Chronology

The following listing of events is limited to those coming within the scope of this book, and those forecasting events to be treated in the volumes to follow.

1941
9Dec	Japanese occupy Tarawa and Makin Islands in Gilberts.
10Dec	Guam surrenders to Japanese landing force.
23Dec	Wake Island surrenders to Japanese.
1942
1Feb	U. S. carrier task forces raid Japanese positions in Gilberts and Marshalls.
30Mar	Pacific Ocean divided into Pacific Ocean Areas under Adm Nimitz, and Southwest Pacific Area under Gen MacArthur.
4-8May	Battle of the Coral Sea.
4-6Jun	Japanese are decisively defeated in main Battle of Midway.
7Aug	1st MarDiv lands on Guadalcanal and Tulagi to launch first U. S. offensive of the war.
17Aug	2d RdrBn lands from submarines at Makin Island. Raid is completed following day.
20Aug	First Marine aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
2Oct	5th DefBn occupies Funafuti, Ellice Islands.
1943
14-23Jan	Casablanca Conference to determine strategy for 1943. Agreement reached to advance toward Philippines through Central and Southwest Pacific, and to terminate hostilities only upon "unconditional surrender" of the enemy.
8Feb	Japanese complete evacuation of over 11,000 troops from Guadalcanal.
9Feb	Organized resistance on Guadalcanal ceases.
21Feb	Army troops, reinforced by Marine raiders and antiaircraft units, seize Russell Islands without opposition.
2-5Mar	Battle of Bismarck Sea. U.S. and Australian aircraft bomb Japanese destroyers and troop transports enroute to Lae, New Guinea.
15Mar	Central Pacific Force redesignated Fifth Fleet; South Pacific Force becomes Third Fleet.
26Apr	General MacArthur issues ELKTON III, superseding previous ELKTON plans. Plan calls for mutually supporting advances in South Pacific and Southwest Pacific Area toward Rabaul, Operation CARTWHEEL
12-25May	TRIDENT Conference held in Washington. General approval given to "U.S. Strategic Plan for the Defeat of Japan" calling for drive on Japan through Central Pacific.
21Jun	Elements of 4th RdrBn open Central Solomons campaign with landing at Segi Point, New Georgia.
14-24Aug	QUADRANT Conference in Quebec. CCS decide to

	attack Japan along both Central and Southwest Pacific routes.
4Sep	VAC formed under command of Maj Gen Holland M. Smith to train and control troops for amphibious landings in Central Pacific.
15Sep	2d MarDiv is formally assigned to VAC.
19Sep	TF 15 and Seventh Air Force launch coordinated attacks against Tarawa.
20Sep	4th MarDiv assigned to VAC.
24Sep	VAdm Raymond A. Spruance recommends an amphibious operation against Makin.
5Oct	CinCPac-CinCPOA issues plan for offensive in Central Pacific. D-Day for landings in Gilberts set for 19Nov43, later postponed to 20Nov.
13Oct	Photographic coverage of Makin Atoll obtained.
20Oct	Photographic coverage of Tarawa obtained.
25Oct	VAdm Spruance issues operation plan for GALVANIC, Gilberts Operation.
31Oct-7Nov	Northern Attack Force (TF 52) rehearses for GALVANIC off Hawaii. Southern Attack Force (TF 53) rehearses at Efate, New Hebrides.
1Nov	IMAC lands on Bougainville with 3d and 9th Marines and 2d RdrRegt in assault.
10Nov	Main body of Northern Attack Force for GALVANIC leaves Pearl Harbor.
12Nov	Southern Attack Force completes rehearsal and departs from New Hebrides.
19Nov	Final air bombardment of Gilberts, Marshalls, and Nauru in preparation for Gilberts invasion.
20Nov	VAC assault troops, 2d MarDiv at Tarawa and elements of 27th InfDiv at Makin, make landings in the Gilberts. Tarawa landings successful despite heavy casualties.
21Nov	Marines on Tarawa strengthen their hold on island. VAC ReconCo lands on Apamama Atoll.
22Nov	MajGen Julian Smith establishes CP on Tarawa.
22 Nov-7Dec	SEXTANT Conference held at Cairo. Tentative timetable for offensive against Japan established.
23Nov	End of organized resistance on Tarawa and Makin.
1944
3Jan	Joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51 under RAdm Turner) issues operation plan for FLINTLOCK, assault on Marshalls.
13Jan	CinCPac-CinCPOA Campaign Plan GRANITE outlines tentative operations and timetable for Central Pacific offensive. Main body of TF 53 departs San Diego.
22Jan	Main body of FLINTLOCK attack force sail from Hawaii for Marshalls.
23Jan	Attack force reserve for FLINTLOCK and Majuro Attack Group sail for target.
29-30Jan	Carrier planes and naval vessels join in final neutralization of Marshalls.
31Jan	VAC assault troops seize small islands of Kwajalein Atoll as artillery positions for main landing support. VAC ReconCo secures Majuro Atoll.
1Feb	4th MarDiv lands at Roi-Namur and 7th InfDiv at Kwajalein Island.
2Feb	7th InfDiv troops meet increased resistance. 4th MarDiv completes mop-up of Roi and capture of Namur.

4Feb	7th InfDiv completes capture of Kwajalein Island. RAdm Harry W. Hill given command of Task Group 51.11 with the mission of seizing Eniwetok Atoll.
7Feb	4th MarDiv concludes uneventful search of islands of northern Kwajalein Atoll.
15Feb	Eniwetok Expeditionary Group (TG 51.11 under RAdm Hill) leaves Kwajalein for Eniwetok.
17Feb	Tactical Group 1, VAC, begins landing in Eniwetok Atoll (Operation CATCHPOLE).
18Feb	22d Marines (reinforced) secure Engebi.
19Feb	Elements of 27th InfDiv and 22d Marines land on Eniwetok Island.
21Feb	Capture of Eniwetok Island completed.
22Feb	22d Marines assault and secure Parry.
12Mar	JCS direct seizure of Southern Marianas, target date 15Jun44.
20Mar	4th Marines seize Emirau in the Bismarcks. Adm Nimitz issues FORAGER Joint Staff Study setting forth the purpose of the Marianas operation.
26Apr	Expeditionary Troops operation order states mission " . . . to capture, occupy, and defend Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. . . ."
17-19May	Northern Troops and Landing Force maneuvers and rehearses at Maui and Kahoolawe, Hawaiian Islands.
25May	LSTs carrying assault elements of the 2d and 4th MarDivs depart Pearl Harbor.
29-30May	Portion of the Northern Troops and Landing Force not embarked in LSTs departs Pearl Harbor.
11Jun	Carrier planes of TF 58 begin preinvasion softening of Marianas. Northern Attack Force departs Eniwetok for Saipan.
13Jun	TF 58 continues aerial bombardment of Marianas and begins naval bombardment.
14Jun	VAC assault troops approach Saipan. Underwater demolition and minesweeping operations conducted along coast.
15Jun	2d and 4th MarDivs land on Saipan.
16Jun	VAdm Spruance postpones landing on Guam because major naval battle appears imminent. Naval surface forces begin preinvasion bombardment of Guam. Elements of 27th InfDiv land on Saipan during night 16-17Jun44. Japanese launch strong, unsuccessful, tank-infantry night attack against 6th Marines.
18Jun	4th MarDiv drives to east coast of Saipan, cutting island in two. 27th InfDiv captures Aslito airfield.
19Jun	4th MarDiv begins clearing northern part of Saipan. 27th InfDiv troops to clear Nafutan Point and south coast of Saipan.
19-20Jun	Battle of the Philippine Sea. Carrier aircraft of TF 58 engage planes from enemy carriers and inflict crippling losses.
22Jun	VAC attacks northward on Saipan.
24Jun	2d Marines reach outskirts of Garapan.
30Jun	Commanders' conference on Saipan decides landings on

	21Jul44. Conclusion of battle for central Saipan.
2Jul	2d Marines seize Garapan. Japanese fall back to final defense line in northern Saipan.
6Jul	Southern Attack Force begins naval bombardment of Guam.
9Jul	Saipan declared secure. Japanese garrison of about 22,000 is virtually destroyed.
12Jul	FMFPac activated with LtGen Holland M. Smith as commander.
14Jul	Joint Staff Study for Operation STALEMATE (invasion of the Palaus) issued.
20Jul	Volume of aerial attacks against Guam reaches peak. Naval bombardment continues. Preinvasion air and naval bombardment of Tinian also in progress.
21Jul	IIIAC assault troops land on Guam. 3d MarDiv and 1st ProvMarBrig push inland and by nightfall hold two beachheads. Elements of 77th InfDiv also go ashore.
22Jul	Softening up of Tinian continues. Marines repel counterattacks on Guam and continue advance inland.
24Jul	4th MarDiv lands on Tinian and secures beachhead.
25Jul	4th MarDiv expands beachhead on Tinian. Japanese unsuccessfully counterattack IIIAC positions on Guam.
26Jul	2d MarDiv lands on Tinian. 1st ProvMarBrig opens attack to clear Orote Peninsula on Guam.
28Jul	Marines on Tinian continue rapid advance against light resistance from retreating enemy.
30Jul	Marines capture Tinian town and compress Japanese into southern tip of island. MajGen Geiger issues orders for pursuit of enemy northward on Guam.
1Aug	Organized enemy resistance ends on Tinian.
10Aug	End of organized Japanese resistance on Guam, though hundreds of Japanese remain to be mopped up.
15Aug	IIIAC, having completed its operations in the Marianas, is committed to invasion of the Palaus.
15Sep	JCS decide to invade Central rather than Southern Philippines and advance target date for invasion of Leyte from 20Dec to 20Oct44. 1st MarDiv lands on southwest shore of Peleliu Island.
17Sep	81st InfDiv, as part of IIIAC, lands on Angaur.
30Sep	Peleliu, Angaur, Ngesebus, and Kongauru declared occupied.
9Oct	Third Fleet bombards Marcus Island.
14Oct	VAC directed to prepare plans for Iwo Jima operation.
20Oct	U. S. Army troops invade Leyte.
24-26Oct	Battle of Leyte Gulf which ends in U. S. naval victory.
25Nov	CinCPOA issues operation plan for invasion of Iwo Jima. Tentative date 3Feb 45.
1945
9Jan	Sixth Army invades Luzon.
13Feb	Final rehearsals for Iwo Jima operation concluded off coast of Tinian.
19Feb	Assault troops of VAC land on Iwo Jima.
26Mar	End of Japanese resistance on Iwo Jima.
1Apr	Tenth Army, including IIIAC, lands on Okinawa.
7Apr	Battle of East China Sea. Japanese fleet units heading

	toward Okinawa are intercepted by planes of TF 58.
25May	JCS direct invasion of Japan, scheduled for 1Nov45.
14Jun	JCS order commanders in Pacific to prepare plans for immediate occupation of Japan.
22Jun	End of organized resistance on Okinawa.
16Jul	Atomic bomb successfully tested at Los Alamos, New Mexico.
6Aug	Tinian-based B-29 drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
9Aug	Tinian-based B-29 drops atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Russia invades Manchuria.
12Aug	Soviet troops move into Korea.
15Aug	Offensive action against Japan halted.
30Aug	4th Marines go ashore at Yokosuka. Army troops land at Atsugi airfield.
2Sep	Japanese sign instrument of surrender in Tokyo Bay.