The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
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Rongelap (166.89E 11.16N) is a large atoll in the northwestern Marshalls. It is located about 120 miles (200 km) east of Bikini and 190 miles (300 km) north of Kwajalein. The small atoll of Ailinginae is located a short distance to its southwest. Rongelap has a lagoon with room for 1000 ships, which could be reached through seven passes up to 13 fathoms deep. There was room for a small airstrip on Rongelap Island on the southeast corner of the atoll.
The island was reconnoitered by a company of 2/22 Marine Regiment on 2-3 April 1944. The Marines found that the Japanese had already evacuated the atoll.
References
Heinl and Crown (1954; accessed 2013-7-5)
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