Battle of Makin

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

Soldiers of the US Army's 2nd Battalion, 165th Infantry, struggle to shore on Yellow Beach on Butaritari Island.
Date20 – 24 November 1943
Location3°04′12″N 172°47′20″E / 3.0700°N 172.7890°E / 3.0700; 172.7890
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States
 Gilbert and Ellice Islands
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Richmond K. Turner
Ralph C. Smith
Seizo Ishikawa
Units involved
27th Infantry Division Gilberts Invasion Special Landing Force
Strength
6,470 soldiers
3 escort carriers
4 old battleships
4 heavy cruisers
16 destroyers
9 transports & landing ships
400 soldiers
400 Japanese and Korean labourers
3 light tanks
4 anti-tank guns
1 submarine
Casualties and losses
821 killed
(755 Navy, 66 Army)
185 wounded
1 escort carrier sunk
1 battleship lightly damaged
395 killed
17 soldiers captured
129 Korean labourers captured
1 submarine damaged

The Battle of Makin was an engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 to 24 November 1943 on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.