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    Kwajalein Atoll  Marshall Islands
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Peter Ording 2001
Location
Lat 9° 4' 60N Long 167° 19' 60E  Kwajalein Atoll is located in the Marshall Islands. Kwajalein Atoll has a Northern Atoll and Southern Atoll including Kwajalein IslandRoi-NamurEbeyeEllerShell (Ebwaj)BigelGehhGugegweMelluObella and Ennuemennet.

Wartime History
Developed by the Japanese Navy as a Naval anchorage and seaplane operating area.

Starting on February 1, 1942 targeted by U.S. aircraft including U.S. Navy (USN) carrier planes and 7th Air Force bombers until January 31, 1944 when U.S. forces landed on Kwajalein Island.

American missions against Kwajalein Atoll
February 1, 1942–February 1, 1944

During "Operation Flintlock" Kwajalein came under heavy air attack by U.S. Navy aircraft and ships. On January 31, 1944 U.S. Marines landed on the Kwajalein Island. By February 4, 1944 Kwajalein was liberated. Immediately, the island was developed into a major American base and staging area.

Today
The Kwajalein Atoll area is used by the US military bases for radar and tracking. The signs of World War II on land are almost all but erased, but underwater there are many shipwrecks and some aircraft wrecks that are popular dive sites.

Kwajalein Atoll
Kwajalein Island  largest island in Kwajalein Atoll includes Kwajalein Airfield.
Roi Island (Roi-Namur)  located at the northern edge of Kwajalein Atoll.
Ebeye Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Eller Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Shell Island (Ebwaj)  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Bigel Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Gehh Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Gugegwe Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Mellu Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Obella Island  located in Kwajalein Atoll.
Albert Island (Ennuemennet)  located at the northern edge of Kwajalein Atoll.

Northern Atoll
RO-60  grounded December 29, 1941 and demolished afterwards
Kembu Maru  sunk December 4, 1943 by carrier aircraft from the USS Lexington
Takunan Maru No. 7  sunk December 4, 1943 by carrier aircraft from the USS Lexington
Eiko Maru No. 2  sunk January 29, 1944 by USS North Carolina

Southern Atoll
Shinsho Maru  sunk July 9, 1942 off Kiiyo Channel off Southern Atoll
Asakaze Maru  sunk December 3, 1943 by carrier aircraft
Choko Maru  sunk December 4, 1943 by carrier aircraft
Shoei Maru  sunk December 19, 1943 by PBY Catalina glide bombing attack
Tateyama Maru  damaged December 4, 1943 by carrier aircraft sunk February 15, 1943 by USS Pickerel SS-177
Ikuta Maru  sunk January 12, 1944 by carrier aircraft
Akibaasan Maru (P-Buoy Wreck)  sunk January 31, 1944 by carrier aircraft
DR Wreck  sunk into Southern Atoll
Ski Area Wreck  sunk into Southern Atoll
South Pass  sunk into Southern Atoll
Ski Area Dolphin  sunk into Southern Atoll
Small Wrecks  sunk into Southern Atoll
Concrete Barge  sunk into Southern Atoll
N-Bouy Wreck  sunk into Southern Atoll
O-Bouy  sunk into Southern Atoll
G-Bouy Wreck  sunk into Southern Atoll
N-East Wreck  sunk into Southern Atoll
Prinz Eugen  sunk December 22, 1946 capsized onto Enubuj Reef.

PV-1 Ventura
Ditched on the west reef, discovered 1967.

OS2U Kingfisher
MIA February 1, 1944

OS2U Kingfisher
MIA February 1, 1944

C-47 Dakota
Crashed July 23, 1944

References
Breaking the Outer Ring: Marine Landings in the Marshall Islands

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Last Updated
December 29, 2023

 

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Atoll Map 1944
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