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
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.
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
Facing Page
Chart: U.S.S. Enterprise attack on the Marshall Islands. Illustrations: U. S S. Enterprise. An Enterprise antiaircraft crew. 20 Chart: U.S.S. Chester bombardment of Taroa. Illustrations: U.S.S. Chester. Hole in deck of Chester. 21 Chart: U.S.S. Northampton and U.S.S. Salt Lake City bombardment of Wotje. Illustrations: U.S.S. Northampton. U.S.S. Salt Lake City during a bombardment. 26 Chart: U.S.S. Yorktown attack on Jaluit, Makin, and Mili. Illustrations: U.S.S. Yorktown. Arming a plane. 27 Charts: Wotje, Taroa, and Roi-Namur. Illustrations: A group on the Enterprise. Kwajalien Island. 34 Chart: U.S.S. Lexington attack on Rabaul. Illustrations: Rabaul. U.S.S. Lexington. 35 Chart: Wake Island. Illustrations: Wake Island. Moist air produced curious effect around propellers of our planes. 52 Chart: Marcus Island. Illustrations: Flight deck of the Enterprise. Prisoners from Japanese boat. 53 Chart: U.S.S. Salt Lake City and U.S.S. Northampton bombardment of Wake. Illustration: Wake Island during bombardrnent. 56 Chart: U.S.S. Lexington attack on Lae and Salamaua. Illustration: Lae. 57