Majuro

Majuro (171.216E 7.133N) was a large atoll in the Marshall Islands consisting of 64 islets surrounding a lagoon with an area of 114 square miles. The largest islet, at two square miles, could have accommodated an air strip, but the Japanese chose to develop other nearby atolls instead. Many of the indigenous peoples were conscripted to Jaluit.

At the insistance of Spruance, Majuro was seized as a fleet anchorage at the beginning of the Kwajalein campaign, on 31 January 1944, against negligible opposition. Spruance had become concerned that the planned areas for refueling at sea would be subject to attack by land-based aircraft, and wished to use the atoll as a secure base for refueling. The invasion force was commanded by Harry Hill and consisted of a heavy cruiser, two escort carriers, two minesweepers, a transport and a destroyer-transport. The assault force was a single battalion landing team from 106 Regiment. The new base became operational just two days later, in part because the Japanese had abandoned considerable equipment that was put to good use by the garrison force. Airstrips were construced on Dalap and Darrit islets on the east side of the atoll. The Dalap strip was 5800 feet (1770m) long and was operational by 12 February 1944, by which time there were 5000 men at the atoll.

Majuro became a major forward base for the fast carrier forces thereafter.

References

Miller (1991)

Morison (1951)
Wildenberg (1996)

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