Battle of Makin
Butaritari (Makin Atoll), Kiribati
What happened
US Army and Marine forces under Richmond K. Turner and Ralph C. Smith fought the small Japanese garrison of Makin Atoll. Japan had occupied Makin in December 1941 and built a seaplane base there. On 20 November 1943, US troops landed on the atoll's beaches. After about four days of fighting, the US commander reported 'Makin taken'.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was part of the first step in the US 'island hopping' campaign toward Japan. It removed a Japanese base used for long-range patrols.
What came next
On 24 November a Japanese submarine sank the US escort carrier Liscome Bay near Makin, causing most of the American losses. Makin is now part of the nation of Kiribati.
Did you know?
The writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his family stayed on Butaritari in 1889.
Timeline
- 14 July 1889Robert Louis Stevenson arrives on Butaritari.
- 10 December 1941Japan occupies Makin.
- August 1942US Marine raiders attack Makin.
- 20-23 November 1943US forces capture Makin.
- 24 November 1943The USS Liscome Bay is sunk.