Contents
Chapter Page Foreword iii Introduction 1 Preparing the Attack 7 The Planning Begins 7 Makin Atoll 9 The Tactical Plan 16 Training and Equipping the Attacking Force 21 The Assault From the Western Beaches 29 The Approach 29 The Assault Begins 34 The 1st BLT Advances 41 The 3d BLT Advances 44 Conditions at the Beach 47 Taking the West Tank Barrier 51 Landings at YELLOW Beach 51 The Mission of the 2d BLT 64 From YELLOW Beach to the West Tank Barrier 69 Advance to the West Tank Barrier from the West 75 Holding Action to the East 81 Situation at the Close of D Day 87 The Drive Eastward 93 The First Night 93 Preparing the Second Day's Attack 95 The Second Day's Advance 100 The Second Night 107 The Advance Beyond the Bight 111 "Saki Night" 118 The Island's Tip Is Reached 121 The End of the Makin Expedition 125 Preparations for Departure 125 Reembarkation 128 Mopping Up 130 Conclusion 132 Annex No. 1 Abbreviations 136
Maps No. Page 1 Central and South Pacific x 2 The Gilberts and The Marshalls 2 3 Makin Atoll 8 4 Butaritari Island 13 5 Attack from the West 14 6 The First Night on Butaritari 86 7 The Second Day's Advance 100 8 Reaching the Eastern Tip 110 9 Main Defensive Area of Butaritari Inside back cover 9a Attack from the Lagoon (Overlay) Inside back cover
Charts No. Page 1 27th Division Task Force (5206) at Makin 22 2 Loading Plan 26 3 Organization for Makin Expedition 32