Battle of Majuro

The Battle of Majuro was a military engagement that took place during WW2 Marshall Islands Allied Campaign. It was fought between Japanese troops and US forces, on January 30-31, 1944, on the small island of Majuro, in the Pacific Theater of Operation. The American landing on the island of Majuro was carried out almost simultaneously with the invasion of Kwajalein, which started on January 31. Lying 220 miles southeast of Kwajalein, Majuro would serve as an advanced air and naval base and it had to be captured first to protect and ensure the supply lines to the US forces that would invade the other islands.

Summary

Although it was lightly defended, the Japanese troops on Majuro consisted of three companies of the Special Naval Landing Forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy. These men put up a tenacious and stubborn fight. The invasion of this island began on the morning of January 30, 1944. The first US unit to land on the beach was a Marine reconnaissance company of the 4th Marine Division, V Amphibious Corps. They were followed by the 2nd Battalion from 106th Regiment of the US Army’s 7th Infantry Division. With the fire support from naval guns on US warships, it took the US troops more than 24 hours to capture Majuro as the fighting was vicious and intense.

US commanders: Major General Harry Schmidt (4th Marine Division); Major General Charles H Corlett (US Army’s 7th Infantry)

Japanese commander: General Monzo Akiyama, who got killed in action.

Below, two US marines take a break after fierce fighting on one of the Marshall islands that were conquered by the Americans