Page 602

Appendix D: Chronology

The following listing of events is limited to those coming within the scope of this book, and those forecasting events to be treated in the volumes to follow.

1941

9 Dec—Japanese occupy Tarawa and Makin Islands in Gilberts.

10 Dec—Guam surrenders to Japanese landing force.

23 Dec—Wake Island surrenders to Japanese.

1942

1 Feb—U. S. carrier task forces raid Japanese positions in Gilberts and Marshalls.

30 Mar—Pacific Ocean divided into Pacific Ocean Areas under Adm Nimitz, and Southwest Pacific Area under Gen MacArthur.

4-8 May—Battle of the Coral Sea.

4-6 Jun—Japanese are decisively defeated in main Battle of Midway.

7 Aug—1st MarDiv lands on Guadalcanal and Tulagi to launch first U. S. offensive of the war.

17 Aug—2nd RdrBn lands from submarines at Makin Island. Raid is completed following day.

20 Aug—First Marine aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

2 Oct—5th DefBn occupies Funafuti, Ellice Islands.

1943

14-23 Jan—Casablanca Conference to determine strategy for 1943. Agreement reached to advance toward Philippines through Central and Southwest Pacific, and to terminate hostilities only upon “unconditional surrender” of the enemy.

8 Feb—Japanese complete evacuation of over 11,000 troops from Guadalcanal.

9 Feb—Organized resistance on Guadalcanal ceases.

21 Feb—Army troops, reinforced by Marine raiders and antiaircraft units, seize Russell Islands without opposition.

2-5 Mar—Battle of Bismarck Sea. U.S. and Australian aircraft bomb Japanese destroyers and troop transports en route to Lae, New Guinea.

15 Mar—Central Pacific Force redesignated Fifth Fleet; South Pacific Force becomes Third Fleet.

26 Apr—General MacArthur issues ELKTON III, superseding previous ELKTON plans. Plan calls for mutually supporting advances in South Pacific and Southwest Pacific Area toward Rabaul, Operation CARTWHEEL

12-25 May—TRIDENT Conference held in Washington. General approval given to “U.S. Strategic Plan for the Defeat of Japan” calling for drive on Japan through Central Pacific.

21 Jun—Elements of 4th RdrBn open Central Solomons campaign with landing at Segi Point, New Georgia.

14-24 Aug—QUADRANT Conference in Quebec. CCS decide to attack Japan along both Central and Southwest Pacific routes.

Page 603

4 Sep—VAC formed under command of Maj Gen Holland M. Smith to train and control troops for amphibious landings in Central Pacific.

15 Sep—2nd MarDiv is formally assigned to VAC.

19 Sep—TF 15 and Seventh Air Force launch coordinated attacks against Tarawa.

20 Sep—4th MarDiv assigned to VAC.

24 Sep—VAdm Raymond A. Spruance recommends an amphibious operation against Makin.

5 Oct—CinCPac-CinCPOA issues plan for offensive in Central Pacific. D-Day for landings in Gilberts set for 19 Nov 43, later postponed to 20 Nov.

13 Oct—Photographic coverage of Makin Atoll obtained.

20 Oct—Photographic coverage of Tarawa obtained.

25 Oct—VAdm Spruance issues operation plan for GALVANIC, Gilberts Operation.

31 Oct-7 Nov—Northern Attack Force (TF 52) rehearses for GALVANIC off Hawaii. Southern Attack Force (TF 53) rehearses at Efate, New Hebrides.

1 Nov—IMAC lands on Bougainville with 3rd and 9th Marines and 2nd RdrRegt in assault.

10 Nov—Main body of Northern Attack Force for GALVANIC leaves Pearl Harbor.

12 Nov—Southern Attack Force completes rehearsal and departs from New Hebrides.

19 Nov—Final air bombardment of Gilberts, Marshalls, and Nauru in preparation for Gilberts invasion.

20 Nov—VAC assault troops, 2nd MarDiv at Tarawa and elements of 27th InfDiv at Makin, make landings in the Gilberts. Tarawa landings successful despite heavy casualties.

21 Nov—Marines on Tarawa strengthen their hold on island. VAC ReconCo lands on Apamama Atoll.

22 Nov—MajGen Julian Smith establishes CP on Tarawa.

22 Nov-7 Dec—SEXTANT Conference held at Cairo. Tentative timetable for offensive against Japan established.

23 Nov—End of organized resistance on Tarawa and Makin.

1944

3 Jan—Joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51 under RAdm Turner) issues operation plan for FLINTLOCK, assault on Marshalls.

13 Jan—CinCPac-CinCPOA Campaign Plan GRANITE outlines tentative operations and timetable for Central Pacific offensive. Main body of TF 53 departs San Diego.

22 Jan—Main body of FLINTLOCK attack force sail from Hawaii for Marshalls.

23 Jan—Attack force reserve for FLINTLOCK and Majuro Attack Group sail for target.

29-30 Jan—Carrier planes and naval vessels join in final neutralization of Marshalls.

31 Jan—VAC assault troops seize small islands of Kwajalein Atoll as artillery positions for main landing support. VAC ReconCo secures Majuro Atoll.

1 Feb—4th MarDiv lands at Roi-Namur and 7th InfDiv at Kwajalein Island.

2 Feb—7th InfDiv troops meet increased resistance. 4th MarDiv completes mop-up of Roi and capture of Namur.

Page 604

4 Feb—7th InfDiv completes capture of Kwajalein Island. RAdm Harry W. Hill given command of Task Group 51.11 with the mission of seizing Eniwetok Atoll.

7 Feb—4th MarDiv concludes uneventful search of islands of northern Kwajalein Atoll.

15 Feb—Eniwetok Expeditionary Group (TG 51.11 under RAdm Hill) leaves Kwajalein for Eniwetok.

17 Feb—Tactical Group 1, VAC, begins landing in Eniwetok Atoll (Operation CATCHPOLE).

18 Feb—22nd Marines (reinforced) secure Engebi.

19 Feb—Elements of 27th InfDiv and 22nd Marines land on Eniwetok Island.

21 Feb—Capture of Eniwetok Island completed.

22 Feb—22nd Marines assault and secure Parry.

12 Mar—JCS direct seizure of Southern Marianas, target date 15 Jun 44.

20 Mar—4th Marines seize Emirau in the Bismarcks. Adm Nimitz issues FORAGER Joint Staff Study setting forth the purpose of the Marianas operation.

26 Apr—Expeditionary Troops operation order states mission “ ... to capture, occupy, and defend Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. ...”

17-19 May—Northern Troops and Landing Force maneuvers and rehearses at Maui and Kahoolawe, Hawaiian Islands.

25 May—LSTs carrying assault elements of the 2nd and 4th MarDivs depart Pearl Harbor.

29-30 May—Portion of the Northern Troops and Landing Force not embarked in LSTs departs Pearl Harbor.

11 Jun—Carrier planes of TF 58 begin preinvasion softening of Marianas. Northern Attack Force departs Eniwetok for Saipan.

13 Jun—TF 58 continues aerial bombardment of Marianas and begins naval bombardment.

14 Jun—VAC assault troops approach Saipan. Underwater demolition and minesweeping operations conducted along coast.

15 Jun—2nd and 4th MarDivs land on Saipan.

16 Jun—VAdm Spruance postpones landing on Guam because major naval battle appears imminent. Naval surface forces begin preinvasion bombardment of Guam. Elements of 27th InfDiv land on Saipan during night 16-17 Jun 44. Japanese launch strong, unsuccessful, tank-infantry night attack against 6th Marines.

18 Jun—4th MarDiv drives to east coast of Saipan, cutting island in two. 27th InfDiv captures Aslito airfield.

19 Jun—4th MarDiv begins clearing northern part of Saipan. 27th InfDiv troops to clear Nafutan Point and south coast of Saipan.

19-20 Jun—Battle of the Philippine Sea. Carrier aircraft of TF 58 engage planes from enemy carriers and inflict crippling losses.

22 Jun—VAC attacks northward on Saipan.

24 Jun—2nd Marines reach outskirts of Garapan.

30 Jun—Commanders’ conference on Saipan decides landings on

Page 605

—21 Jul 44. Conclusion of battle for central Saipan.

2 Jul—2nd Marines seize Garapan. Japanese fall back to final defense line in northern Saipan.

6 Jul—Southern Attack Force begins naval bombardment of Guam.

9 Jul—Saipan declared secure. Japanese garrison of about 22,000 is virtually destroyed.

12 Jul—FMFPac activated with LtGen Holland M. Smith as commander.

14 Jul—Joint Staff Study for Operation STALEMATE (invasion of the Palaus) issued.

20 Jul—Volume of aerial attacks against Guam reaches peak. Naval bombardment continues. Pre-invasion air and naval bombardment of Tinian also in progress.

21 Jul—IIIAC assault troops land on Guam. 3rd MarDiv and 1st ProvMarBrig push inland and by nightfall hold two beachheads. Elements of 77th InfDiv also go ashore.

22 Jul—Softening up of Tinian continues. Marines repel counterattacks on Guam and continue advance inland.

24 Jul—4th MarDiv lands on Tinian and secures beachhead.

25 Jul—4th MarDiv expands beachhead on Tinian. Japanese unsuccessfully counterattack IIIAC positions on Guam.

26 Jul—2nd MarDiv lands on Tinian. 1st ProvMarBrig opens attack to clear Orote Peninsula on Guam.

28 Jul—Marines on Tinian continue rapid advance against light resistance from retreating enemy.

30 Jul—Marines capture Tinian town and compress Japanese into southern tip of island. MajGen Geiger issues orders for pursuit of enemy northward on Guam.

1 Aug—Organized enemy resistance ends on Tinian.

10 Aug—End of organized Japanese resistance on Guam, though hundreds of Japanese remain to be mopped up.

15 Aug—IIIAC, having completed its operations in the Marianas, is committed to invasion of the Palaus.

15 Sep—JCS decide to invade Central rather than Southern Philippines and advance target date for invasion of Leyte from 20 Dec to 20 Oct 44. 1st MarDiv lands on southwest shore of Peleliu Island.

17 Sep—81st InfDiv, as part of IIIAC, lands on Angaur.

30 Sep—Peleliu, Angaur, Ngesebus, and Kongauru declared occupied.

9 Oct—Third Fleet bombards Marcus Island.

14 Oct—VAC directed to prepare plans for Iwo Jima operation.

20 Oct—U. S. Army troops invade Leyte.

24-26 Oct—Battle of Leyte Gulf which ends in U. S. naval victory.

25 Nov—CinCPOA issues operation plan for invasion of Iwo Jima. Tentative date 3 Feb 45.

1945

9 Jan—Sixth Army invades Luzon.

13 Feb—Final rehearsals for Iwo Jima operation concluded off coast of Tinian.

19 Feb—Assault troops of VAC land on Iwo Jima.

26 Mar—End of Japanese resistance on Iwo Jima.

1 Apr—Tenth Army, including IIIAC, lands on Okinawa.

7 Apr—Battle of East China Sea. Japanese fleet units heading toward Okinawa are intercepted by planes of TF 58.

Page 606

25 May—JCS direct invasion of Japan, scheduled for 1 Nov 45.

14 Jun—JCS order commanders in Pacific to prepare plans for immediate occupation of Japan.

22 Jun—End of organized resistance on Okinawa.

16 Jul—Atomic bomb successfully tested at Los Alamos, New Mexico.

6 Aug—Tinian-based B-29 drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

9 Aug—Tinian-based B-29 drops atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Russia invades Manchuria.

12 Aug—Soviet troops move into Korea.

15 Aug—Offensive action against Japan halted.

30 Aug—4th Marines go ashore at Yokosuka. Army troops land at Atsugi airfield.

2 Sep—Japanese sign instrument of surrender in Tokyo Bay.