Raid on Makin Island

Raid on Makin Island
Part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign of the Pacific Theater (World War II)

U.S. Marines return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on board the American submarine Nautilus following the Makin Island raid, 26 August 1942.
Date17–18 August 1942
Location
Makin Island (now Butaritari), Pacific Ocean
3°09′N 172°50′E / 3.150°N 172.833°E / 3.150; 172.833
Result American strategic victory
Belligerents
 United States
 Gilbert and Ellice Islands
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Casualties and losses
  • 19 killed
  • 17 wounded
  • 9 captured (later executed)
  • 2 missing
  • 46 killed
  • 2 flying boats destroyed
  • 2 small boats sunk[1]
Raid on Makin Island is located in Pacific Ocean
Raid on Makin Island
Location within Pacific Ocean

The Raid on Makin Island (17–18 August 1942) was an attack by the United States Marine Corps Raiders on Japanese military forces on Makin Island (now known as Butaritari) in the Pacific Ocean. The aim was to destroy Imperial Japanese installations, take prisoners, gain intelligence on the Gilbert Islands area, and divert Japanese attention and reinforcements from the Allied landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Only the first of these objectives were achieved, but the raid did boost morale and provide a test for Raider tactics.

  1. ^ (Morison, Coral Sea, Midway, and Submarine Actions, pp. 235–241).