Early Raids in the
Pacific Ocean

February 1 to March 10, 1942

Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabau1,
Wake and Marcus, Lae and Salamaua

 

 

U. S. Confidential - British Secret

Publication Section, Combat Intelligence Branch

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

UNITED STATES NAVY

1943

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NAVY DEPARTMENT

Office of Naval Intelligence

Washington, D. C.

January 8, 1943.

Combat Narratives are a series of studies of United States naval operations of the current war for the information of officers. They are based upon official documents and contain not only an account of the several actions but also a series of charts and illustrations which should assist the understanding of these events.

Material printed herein is Confidential and should be guarded (1) in circulation and custody of the Narratives and (2) in avoiding discussion of their contents with or within the hearing of any others than commissioned or warrant officers.

REAR ADMIRAL, U. S. N.,
Director of Naval Intelligence.

Foreword

January 8, 1943

Combat Narratives have been prepared by the Publication Section of the Combat Intelligence Branch of the Office of Naval Intelligence for the information of the officers of the United States Navy.

The data on which these studies are based are those official documents which are suitable for a confidential publication. This material has been collated and presented in chronological order.

In perusing these narratives, the reader should bear in mind that while they recount in considerable detail the engagements in which our forces participated, certain underlying aspects of these operations must be kept in a secret category until after the end of the war.

It should be remembered also that the observations of men in battle are sometimes at variance. As a result, the reports of commanding officers may differ although they participated in the same action and shared a common purpose. In general, Combat Narratives represent a reasoned interpretation of these discrepancies. In those instances where views cannot be reconciled, extracts from the conflicting evidence are reprinted.

Thus, an effort has been made to provide accurate and, within the above-mentioned limitations, complete narrative with charts covering raids, combats, joint operations, and battles in which our Fleets have engaged in the current war. It is hoped that these narratives will afford a clear view of what has occurred, and form a basis for a broader understanding which will result in ever more successful operations.

E. J. King
ADMIRAL, U. S. N.,
Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations.

Contents

	Page
The Raid on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, February I, 1942	1
Plan of attack	3
Task Force attack plans	4
Task Force HOW	4
Task Force FOX	7
Actions:
Enterprise air group	7
Wotje bombardment group	17
Taroa bombardment group	21
Yorktown air group	27
Conclusion	33
Action off Rabaul, February 20th	35
Plan of attack	36
The action	37
Conclusion	40
The Raids on Wake and Marcus Islands, February 24th and March 4th	41
Plan of attack	41
Ship bombardment of Wake Island	44
Air bombing of Wake Island	48
Air attack on Marcus Island	53
Conclusion	55
The attack on Lae and Salamaua, March 10th	57
The attack	62
Actions:
The Lexington group	64
The Yorktown group	66
Conclusion	68
Appendix-Designations and symbols of United States ship and naval aircraft.	69