Marshall Islands -- Enewetak Atoll -- Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces in operations against and from the Marshall Islands

Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces
in operations against and from the Marshall Islands

Enewetak Atoll

1944

MONDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1944: B-24s from Makin Island, Gilbert Islands hit the beach defenses on Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands; P-40s on armed reconnaissance over Mille Atoll, Marshall Islands strafe a beached schooner. Operation CATCHPOLE (operations against Eniwetok and Ujelang Atolls in the Marshall Islands) is begun to occupy and defend Eniwetok Atoll, which is to furnish a striking base for operations against the Marianas Islands. During the operation, Seventh Air Force aircraft operating from newly acquired bases in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands neutralize airfields in the Marianas and continue to pound by-passed airfields in the Marshalls.
FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1944: P-40s from Makin Island bomb and strafe Jaluit and Mille Atolls. US forces land on Engebi Island in Enewetak Atoll.
SATURDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1944: B-24s from Tarawa Atoll and Makin Island pound Ponape and Kusaie Islands; B-25s from Tarawa hit Wotje Atoll while Makin-based P-40s bomb and strafe Mille Atoll. US forces land on Enewetak Island in Eniwetok Atoll.
MONDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1944: B-24s from Tarawa Atoll and Abemama Island hit Ponape and Kusaie Islands and Jaluit Atoll. B-25s from Abemama bomb Maloelap Atoll. P-40s from Makin Island hit Mille Atoll. US forces gain complete control of Enewetak Island in Eniwetok Atoll. 9th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh Air Force, arrives at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii from the US with C-47s.

FRIDAY, 10 MARCH 1944: A-24s and P-40s from Makin Island and B-25s from Tarawa Atoll attack airfields, AA positions and radio installations at Mille and Wotje Atolls. B-25s, operating out of Engebi Island in Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands (secured by invading forces on 22 Feb) for the first time, bomb Kusaie Island.
MONDAY, 13 MARCH 1944: B-25s from Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll, bomb Kusaie Island. B-25s from Abemama Island and Tarawa Atoll pound Mille Atoll. 38th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nanumea Island, Ellice Islands to Kwajalein Atoll; the squadron continues operating from Makin Island with B-24s until 22 Mar.
TUESDAY, 14 MARCH 1944: B-25s from Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll bomb Kusaie Island. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Wotje Atoll.
WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 1944: B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll fly the first Seventh Air Force mission against Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, hitting Dublon and Eten Islands before dawn; alternate targets of Oroluk Anchorage and Ponape Town are also hit. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap Atoll. By this date the A-24s, P-39s, and P-40s used against Mille and Jaluit Atolls during Operations FLINTLOCK (operations against Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls) and CATCHPOLE (operations against Enewetak and Ujelang Atolls) have returned to Oahu, Territory of Hawaii for rest and re-equipment. 27th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nanumea Island to Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s; they have been operating from Abemama Island since 26 Feb.
SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 1944: 2 B-25s from Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll bomb and strafe Ponape Island. 13 B-25s from Abemama Island bomb Jaluit Atoll while 5 from Tarawa Atoll hit the Atoll with bombs and cannon fire. 1 B-24 from Tarawa Atoll bombs Mille Atoll and photographs Mille and Majuro Atoll.
THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 1944: B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Wake Island; B-25s flying out of Enewetak Atoll hit Ponape Island; and Tarawa Atoll-based B-25s strike Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls, commencing a series of B-25 shuttle-missions between Tarawa or Makin Island and the USN's new base at Majuro Atoll which is used as the rearming base for the return strike.
FRIDAY, 24 MARCH 1944: B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb Jaluit while others, flying out of Enewetak Atoll, hit Ponape Island and Ant Island, Caroline Islands.
SATURDAY, 25 MARCH 1944: Advanced HQ Seventh Air Force in Tarawa Atoll is disbanded and the Seventh's operations in the C Pacific forward area are placed under the VII Bomber Command at Kwajalein Atoll. B-25s from Enewetak Atoll pound Ponape Island and claim 4 fighters shot down. B-25s from Abemama Island bomb Maloelap Atoll. HQ VII Bomber Command moves from Tarawa Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll.
SUNDAY, 26 MARCH 1944: Enewetak Atoll-based B-25s strike Ponape Island; B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro Atoll, and hit Jaluit again on the return flight to Tarawa.
MONDAY, 27 MARCH 1944: B-25s and B-24s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap, Mille and Wotje Atolls; B-25s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Jaluit Atoll and strafe and cannonade Ponape Island; and a single B-24 from Tarawa Atoll bombs Jabor in Jaluit Atoll.
TUESDAY, 28 MARCH 1944: B-25s from Abemama Island and Tarawa Atoll pound Jaluit, Mille and Maloelap Atolls; a single B-24 from Kwajalein Atoll, en route to Enewetak Atoll, bombs Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands; and B-24s, flying a night mission from Kwajalein, bomb targets at Truk Atoll.
WEDNESDAY, 29 MARCH 1944: B-25s from Kwajalein Atoll hit Jaluit and Rongelap Atolls; B-25s from Enewetak Atoll strike Ponape Island while others from Tarawa Atoll bomb Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls.
THURSDAY, 30 MARCH 1944: B-24s from Kwajalein and Enewetak Atolls hit Truk Atoll before dawn. B-25s from Kwajalein and Tarawa Atolls strike Wotje, Mille, Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
FRIDAY, 31 MARCH 1944: B-24s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Truk Atoll in a predawn mission. B-25s from Eniwetok hit Ponape Island while others, flying out of Tarawa Atoll, pound Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls. 431st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tarawa Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s.

SUNDAY, 2 APRIL 1944: B-24s from Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands hit Truk Atoll during the night of 1/2 Apr. During the day B-25s bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
MONDAY, 3 APRIL 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll during the night of 2/3 Apr, bomb Truk Atoll. B-25s from Abemama and Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls. 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tarawa Atoll to Eniwetok Atoll with B-24s.
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1944: B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Wake Island. B-25s from Enewetak Atoll hit Ponape Island twice. B-25s from Abemama Island bomb Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro Atoll, and hit Maloelap Atoll during the return flight.
MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll (1 hits Ponape Island) while B-25s, based on Abemama Island, strike Ponape. B-25s, flying a shuttle mission between Tarawa and Majuro Atolls, pound Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls.
THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 1944: B-24s out of Enewetak Atoll strike Truk Atoll; B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro Atoll and hit Maloelap Atoll.
FRIDAY, 14 APRIL 1944: PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A single B-24, enroute from Kwajalein Atoll to Tarawa Atoll, bombs Jaluit Atoll; B-25s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Ponape Island while B-25s from Abemama Island strike Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as an arming station between strikes; Japanese bombers carry out an ineffective raid on Eniwetok Atoll. 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tarawa Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s.
SUNDAY, 16 APRIL 1944: B-25s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, strike Truk Atoll; B-25s from Abemama Island hit Maloelap and Mille Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a rearming base between the strikes.
TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 1944: First Seventh Air Force attack on the Marianas Islands takes place as B-24s escorting USN aircraft on a photographic reconnaissance mission from Enewetak Atoll bomb Saipan Island. Other B-24s staging through Eniwetok Atoll hit Truk Atoll. B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Wake Island after failing to find shipping reported in the area; and B-25s from Abemama Island bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a shuttle base between strikes.
WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll.
FRIDAY, 21 APRIL 1944: B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll hit Wotje Atoll. B-24s from Enewetak Atoll, staging through Kwajalein, bomb Truk Atoll. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Ponape Island. Abemama Island-based B-25s, using Majuro Atoll as a shuttle base, bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
MONDAY, 24 APRIL 1944: B-25s from Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll, bomb Ponape Island while others, based on Makin Island, hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.
TUESDAY, 25 APRIL 1944: Kwajalein Atoll-based B-24s, during the night of 24/25 Apr, staging through Enewetak Atoll, strike Guam Island, Marianas Islands and Truk Atoll, and during the day hit Wotje and Maloelap Atolls. This is the first AAF mission against Guam. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll bomb Ponape Island, and Makin Island-based B-25s hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.
THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 26/27 Apr. B-25s from Eniwetok follow up during the day with 3 raids on Ponape Island; Makin Island-based B-25s hit Jaluit, Wotje and Mille Atolls. 1 B-24 from Kwajalein Atoll, using Makin Island as a rearming base, bombs Jabor and Emidj and Enybor Islands, Jaluit Atoll.
SATURDAY, 29 APRIL 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Truk and Jaluit Atolls. B-25s from Makin Island also hit Jaluit Atoll .
SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 1944: 41 Kwajalein Atoll-based B-24s bomb various targets at Wake Island. 11 Makin Island-based B-25s bomb Jaluit Atoll while 8 from Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll bomb Ponape Island.

TUESDAY, 2 MAY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, during the night. During the day B-25s based on Makin Island hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands, using Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll pound Ponape Island, Caroline Islands.
THURSDAY, 4 MAY 1944: 12 B-25s, based at Makin Island, pound Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. 39 B-24s from Kwajalein and Enewetak Atolls hit Ponape Island.
FRIDAY, 5 MAY 1944: During the night of 4/5 MAY B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll stage through Enewetak Atoll and bomb Truk Atoll. During the day B-25s from Eniwetok Atoll strike Ponape Island, and 10 from Makin Island hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands, using Majuro Atoll as a rearming base between the attacks.
SATURDAY, 6 MAY 1944: B-25s from Makin Island and Kwajalein Atoll hit Wotje and Jaluit Atolls. B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, escort USN aircraft on a photo reconnaissance of Guam Island, Marianas Islands. The B-24s bomb Guam from 20,000 ft (6,096 m), scoring hits on 2 airfields and a town area and proceed to Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands to prepare for the return flight; the B-24s claim 4 enemy aircraft shot down.
SUNDAY, 7 MAY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 6/7 May. B-25s from Engebi Island hit Ponape Island during the following day. Makin Island-based B-25s bomb Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.
THURSDAY, 11 MAY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 10/11 May. During the day B-25s from Engebi Island hit Ponape Island while others, based on Makin Island, pound Jaluit Atoll.
SATURDAY, 13 MAY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll from Kwajalein Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll during the early morning hours. Other B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls, Marshall Islands. B-25s from Engebi Island hit Ponape Island.
SUNDAY, 21 MAY 1944: 53 B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb various targets in Wotje Atoll; 41 B-25s, based on Makin Island, follow up with bombing, cannonading and strafing attack on the atoll. 8 B-24s stage through Enewetak Atoll, strike Rota Island, Marianas Islands, and rearm at Los Negros Island.
SUNDAY, 28 MAY 1944: 29 B-25s stage from Enewetak Atoll, bomb Jaluit Atoll, and land at Makin Island. B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Saipan and Guam Islands, Marianas Islands; those bombing Guam turn south to Los Negros Island to rearm while the others return to Eniwetok. B-25s flying from Engebi Island bomb Mille Atoll. B-24s escort USN photo planes over the Marianas Islands. s

THURSDAY, 1 JUNE 1944: B-25s from Enewetak Atoll hit Ponape Island, Caroline Islands.
SATURDAY, 3 JUNE 1944: B-24s staging through Enewetak Atoll, strike Truk Atoll in a pre-dawn raid; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Nauru Island.
SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 1944: During the night B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, hit Truk Atoll; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, follow with a daylight raid on Ponape Island.
MONDAY, 5 JUNE 1944: B-25s from Makin Island, hit Nauru Island; B-24s from Enewetak Atoll escort photo aircraft over Guam Island, Marianas Islands, bomb the island, and proceed to Los Negros Island for rearming. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll strike Ponape Island.
TUESDAY, 6 JUNE 1944: B-24s returning to Enewetak Atoll from Los Negros Island (where they rearmed after bombing Guam Island the previous day) hit Ponape Island.
THURSDAY, 8 JUNE 1944: During the night of 7/8 Jun, B-24s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island. B-25s from Makin Island follow up during the day with a strike against Nauru Island.
FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 1944: During the night of 8/9 Jun B-24s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Truk Atoll.
SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island during the night of 9/10 Jun. B-25s from Makin Island hit Nauru Island during the day.
SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 1944: B-24s from Enewetak Atoll hit Truk Atoll during the night of 11/12 Jun. B-25s follow with a raid against Ponape Island during the morning.
MONDAY, 12 JUNE 1944: Enewetak Atoll-based B-24s hit Truk Atoll during the night of 11/12 Jun and again during the day.
TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 1944: An attack during the night of 12/13 Jun by B-24s from Enewetak Atoll against Truk Atoll and Ponape Island is followed by a daylight attack by Makin Island-based B-25s against Nauru and Ponape Islands.
SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 1944: B-24s stage through Enewetak Atoll to bomb Truk Atoll.
MONDAY, 19 JUNE 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, strike Truk Atoll. B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll pound Ponape Island.
THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll from Kwajalein Atoll, hit Truk Atoll; 1 bombs Ponape Island.
FRIDAY, 23 JUNE 1944: Enewetak Atoll-based B-24s strike Truk Atoll. B-25s from Engebi Island pound Ponape Island. During the evening, B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll also attack Ponape Island.
TUESDAY, 27 JUNE 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, pound Truk Atoll.
THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 1944: B-24s, staging, through Enewetak Atoll, pound Truk Atoll .

SATURDAY, 1 JULY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll hit Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, during the night of 1/2 Jul and follow up with another raid during the day. .
MONDAY, 3 JULY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll.
TUESDAY, 4 JULY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, pound Truk Atoll.
SATURDAY, 8 JULY 1944: During the night of 7/8 Jul B-24s stage through Enewetak Atoll and bomb Truk Atoll; more B-24s follow with another raid during the day.
MONDAY, 10 JULY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, pound Truk Atoll during the night of 9/10 Jul and again during the day.
WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 1944: During the night of 11/12 Jul B-24s stage through Enewetak Atoll to bomb Truk Atoll; during the day B-24s hit Truk Atoll again. P
SATURDAY, 15 JULY 1944: B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, hit Truk Atoll.
MONDAY, 17 JULY 1944: 48 B-25s from Makin Island stage through Engebi Island, Enewetak Atoll to bomb Ponape Island; 47 of the B-25s (1 aborts) attack airfield facilities, AA positions, and other targets throughout the island.
TUESDAY, 18 JULY 1944: In the Marshall Islands, 5 B-24s, flying out of Kwajalein Atoll, hit Wotje Atoll. 25 B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, attack Truk Atoll.
FRIDAY, 21 JULY 1944: P-47s attack enemy forces on Tinian Island. 28 B-24s, staging through Enewetak Atoll, pound Truk Atoll.
SUNDAY, 23 JULY 1944: B-24s staging through Enewetak Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll while others, flying out of Kwajalein Atoll, hit Wotje Atoll.
MONDAY, 24 JULY 1944: B-25s from Engebi Island bomb Ponape Island.
WEDNESDAY, 26 JULY 1944: B-25s from Engebi Island attack Ponape Island.

SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1944: Enewetak Atoll-based B-24s bomb Truk Island.
THURSDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1944: B-24s from Enewetak Atoll bomb Truk Island .
MONDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1944: 28 Enewetak Atoll-based B-24s bomb Truk Island.
MONDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1944: During the night of 25/26 Sep Kwajalein Atoll-based B-24s stage through Enewetak Atoll on a strike at shipping at Truk Island; failing to locate the primary targets the B-24s bomb Tol, Eten, Param, and Moen Islands while others hit Wake Island during the night of 25/26 Sep.
FRIDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1944: B-24s from Enewetak Atoll pound Truk Island.

Sources: AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1961,
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973.

[European History] [Enewetak Atoll]

CONTACT:
Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, P.O.Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia.
e-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au

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