Marshalls
KWAJALEIN ATOLL
In the Southern Landing Force campaign, the 7th Division meets increased resistance, which planes, artillery, and naval gunfire help to neutralize as the division continues clearing Kwajalein. The 2nd Battalion, 184th Infantry, passing through the 3rd, advances along the lagoon side of the island on the left while the 2nd Battalon of the 32nd Infantry continues the attack on the ocean side. Overwhelming enemy strongpoints, both assault forces soon reach Carl Road, which crosses the island at the eastern end of the airfield. As the advance continues toward the next cross-island road, Nora, some 300 yards ahead, the 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry, attacking through the 2nd Battalion, crosses a tank ditch and clears a strongpoint, called Corn. Although forward elements of the division get well beyond Nora Road, a line is organized for the night short of it, the 3rd Battalion of the 32nd Infantry taking up positions in the Corn Strong Point and the 2nd Battalion of the 184th on a line 75-100 yards northeast of Carl Road.
Elements of the 7th Reconnaissance Troop land on Chauncey, where the enemy is becoming aggressive, and clear it during a sharp fire fight. The Japanese dead total 125.
In preparation for the invasion of Burton, the island is searched from a destroyer and a seaplane and pounded by artillery and naval gunfire.
In the Northern Landing Force campaign, the 4th Marine Division completes the mop up of Roi and the capture of Namur. The Marines next begin a search of the remaining islands of the northern half of the Kwajalein Atoll. On Namur, the 24th RCT with tank support attacks with BLT 3 on the left and BLT 1 on the right. Organized resistance ceases by 1215 ending the battle for southern Kwajalein except for mopping up. Maj-Gen Harry Schmidt, 4th Marine Division CG, announces the end of organized resistance on Namur at 1418. The 25th RCT is given the task of securing the other islands of the northern half of Kwajalein Atoll and begins an uneventful search for the enemy.
|