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World War II
Episode137

May 05, 2025

Moving Up the Clock: Marines Storm Enewetak

Moving Up the Clock: Marines Storm Enewetak
38:29
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The Marines barely had time to catch their breath after Kwajalein before their attention shifted northwest to Enewetak Atoll. Four islands in particular stood as crucial targets, heavily defended by thousands of Japanese troops racing to build defenses strong enough to repel any invasion. Initially, commanders planned the attack for months later, but fresh aerial reconnaissance and captured enemy maps showed that waiting would only strengthen Japanese defenses. With detailed intelligence and thousands of battle-tested Marines at their disposal, commanders swiftly made their decision: hit Enewetak immediately. As Marines stormed beaches through heavy naval bombardment and air strikes, they quickly realized they'd underestimated the enemy strength, setting the stage for one of their toughest fights yet in the Pacific.

References

  1. Chapin, J. C. (1994). Breaking the outer ring: Marine landings in the Marshall Islands. Marine Corps History and Museums Division.
  2. Combined Chiefs of Staff. (1943). Proceedings of the TRIDENT Conference, Washington, May 1943. U.S. War Department. Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943
  3. Crowl, P. A., & Love, E. G. (1955). Seizure of the Gilberts and Marshalls. U.S. Army Center of Military History. https://history.army.mil/html/books/005/5-4/index.html
  4. Dyer, G. C. (1972). The amphibians came to conquer: The story of Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner. U.S. Navy. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ACTC/index.html
  5. Gailey, H. A. (1988). The Marshall Islands: Increasing the tempo. Presidio Press.
  6. Goldberg, H. (1984). Guam: Liberation 1944. University Press of Kentucky.
  7. Heinl, R. D., Jr., & Crown, J. A. (1954). The Marshalls: Increasing the tempo. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  8. Hunt, G. P. (1946). Coral comes high. Harper & Brothers. (Memoir of Marine combat at Roi-Namur)
  9. Nalty, B. C. (1962). The United States Marines in the Marshalls Campaign (Marine Corps Historical Reference Series No. 31). Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  10. Shaw, H. I., Nalty, B. C., & Turnbladh, E. T. (1966). History of U.S. Marine Corps operations in World War II, Volume III: Central Pacific drive. Historical Division, HQMC. https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/History%20of%20U.S.%20Marine%20Corps%20Operations%20in%20WWII%20Vol%20III%20Central%20Pacific%20Drive%20PCN%2019000302300_1.pdf
  11. U.S. Army Center of Military History. (1954). The assault on Kwajalein and Majuro. Department of the Army. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Marshalls/index.html
  12. U.S. Marine Corps. (1945). Fourth Marine Division in World War II. Infantry Journal Press.

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