Wartime History
While moored in Makin Lagoon at King's Wharf on Makin Island, this flying boat was strafed by F6F Hellcat on September 18, 1942. After being disabled, the engines and equipment was removed by the Japanese.

During the battle of Makin eighteen Japanese took up defensive positions inside the wreck. On November 21, 1943 M4 Sherman tanks fired at the wreckage to eliminate the defenders.

Wreckage
This wreck remained largely intact. The nose section was missing since the 1970s. Today, it has collapsed and is lying with the wings on the sand.

Stan Gajda adds:
"High tide goes about half way up the fuselage sides and at low tide you can walk around it. The rear part of the keel is nearby upside-down."

References
After The Battle Issue 15: page 29-30, back cover

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