VMB-613 Primary Base of Operations

Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll

Kwajalein Atoll: Kwajalein Atoll is made up of approximately 100 small islands on the encompassing reefs with a total land area of about 5.6 square miles.  The lagoon, the world’s largest, stretches 75 nautical miles from the northwest to the southeast and has a total surface area of 1,100 square miles.  The two main islands in the atoll are Kwajalein Island at the southern tip, and the twin islands of Roi-Namur at the northernmost point.  Kwajalein was ceded by Germany to the Japanese in 1914 and quickly became a major center for Japanese naval activity in the Marshall Islands.  Due to its strategic importance to the Japanese as well as its large deep-water lagoon, its seizure became of prime importance to U.S. Naval planners.  During February 1944 the islands of Roi and Namur were assaulted and captured by elements of the 4th Marine Division, while the island of Kwajalein was captured by the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division.  Following their capture, SeaBees improved and extended the runways on both Roi and Kwajalein in order to make them usable for fighter, dive-bomber and medium bomber aircraft.  In 1945 Kwajalein became the home base for VMB-613 and remained such through the end of the war.

Roi-Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll

Kwajalein Atoll: Kwajalein Atoll is made up of approximately 100 small islands on the encompassing reefs with a total land area of about 5.6 square miles.  The lagoon, the world’s largest, stretches 75 nautical miles from the northwest to the southeast and has a total surface area of 1,100 square miles.  The two main islands in the atoll are Kwajalein Island at the southern tip, and the twin islands of Roi-Namur at the northernmost point.  Kwajalein was ceded by Germany to the Japanese in 1914 and quickly became a major center for Japanese naval activity in the Marshall Islands.  Due to its strategic importance to the Japanese as well as its large deep-water lagoon, its seizure became of prime importance to U.S. Naval planners.  During February 1944 the islands of Roi and Namur were assaulted and captured by elements of the 4th Marine Division, while the island of Kwajalein was captured by the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division.  Following their capture, SeaBees improved and extended the runways on both Roi and Kwajalein in order to make them usable for fighter, dive-bomber and medium bomber aircraft.  In 1945 Kwajalein became the home base for VMB-613 and remained such through the end of the war.

VMB-613 Forward Operating Base

Eniwetok Island, Eniwetok Atoll

Eniwetok Atoll: Eniwetok Atoll lies 330 nautical miles northeast of Kwajalein.  At its widest point the circular lagoon is 17 miles east to west and 21 miles north to south.  The atoll consists of 30 small islands, mostly located on the eastern half of the lagoon.  The main islands are Parry, Engebi, and Eniwetok.  The atoll has two deep-water passages, one north of Parry Island and one at the southern tip of Eniwetok.  These deep water passages and the large lagoon made Eniwetok Atoll and excellent anchorage for the US Navy.  Eniwetok Atoll was initially occupied by the Japanese.  The atoll was invaded and captured by Marines of the 1st Amphibious Brigade during February of 1944.  Following its capture, SeaBees improved the Japanese airstrip on Engebi and constructed a new airstrip for bombers with a 7,000 foot runway on Eniwetok Island.  A temporary cemetery was established on Japtan Island for American casualties.  This is where Private William M. Farley, who was killed on the February 6, 1945 strike over Ponape, was buried.  The airstrip on Eniwetok was frequently used by VMB-613 for strikes and snooper flight over Ponape as well as hunter-killer missions.

VMB-613 Forward Operating Base

Majuro Island, Majuro Atoll

Majuro Atoll: Majuro Atoll is located approximately 225 nautical miles southeast of Kwajalein, between the Japanese-held atolls of Mille and Maloelap.  The atoll consists of 64 islands and was only occupied by six Japanese when it was seized by the Reconnaissance Company of the 5th Amphibious Corps on January 31, 1945.  Following its capture, an airstrip for fighters and dive-bombers was constructed on Dalap Island, located on the eastern tip of the atoll.  This airstrip was also used by VMB-613 for harassing strikes against the Japanese garrison on Mille Atoll.

VMB-613 Forward Operating Base

Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll

Tarawa Atoll: Tawara Atoll is located in the Gilbert Islands, south and slightly east of the Marshall Islands.  Tarawa’s principal island of Betio was assaulted and captured by the Marine Corps in November of 1943 following three brutal days of fighting.  Following the capture of Betio, the airstrip was improved and immediately became operational for American dive-bombers and fighter aircraft.  Due to its location to the Japanese occupied islands of Ocean and Nauru to the southwest, its airfield became a base of operations in July 1945 for VMB-613 when reconnaissance and snooper flights to these islands became part of the squadron’s patrol area. 

Japanese Airstrip and Base

Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll

Maloelap Atoll: Maloelap Atoll is located about 226 nautical miles east of Kwajalein and remained under Japanese control until its surrender by Admiral S. Kamada of the Imperial Japanese Navy on September 6, 1945.  The atoll consists of 71 islands the principal of which is Taroa Island, located at the eastern most point.  The facilities on Taroa were extensive and consisted of an airstrip with two runways, 380 buildings, power stations, command and air operations centers, ammunition bunkers, work shops, and a large pier.  Two radar sites were also located on the atoll, and with their 50-mile range they provided a ten-minute warning of impending attack.  Defensive weapons included the standard array of naval costal defense, dual-purpose, and anti-aircraft weapons.  Initially garrisoned by 3,900 troops, only 34 percent survived.

Japanese Airstrip and Base

Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll

Jaluit Atoll: Jaluit Atoll is located 243 nautical miles south of Kwajalein.  The atoll, including its principal island of Emidj, remained under Japanese control until it was surrendered on September 5, 1945.  Under the command of Rear Admiral Masuda, Emidj Island served as the main Japanese seaplane base in the Marshall Islands.  Like the other Japanese-held islands it was heavily bombed and effectively isolated from re-supply.  Defenses included 60 anti-aircraft guns and coastal defense guns.  By virtue of strict discipline and top soil shipped from Ponape which permitted the cultivation of vegetables, 67% of its garrison of 2,500 survived the war.

Japanese Airstrip and Base

Wotje Island, Wotje Atoll

Wotje Atoll: Wotje Atoll is located about 164 nautical miles east of Kwajalein and remained under Japanese control until its surrender on September 4, 1945.  Wotje Atoll consists of 72 separate islands, the largest being Wotje Island.  Its lagoon, one of the largest in the Marshall Islands, is approximately 297 square miles in area.  The facilities on Wotje included an airstrip with two runways, two hangars, a seaplane ramp, a service repair area, and a radar installation.  Defenses consisted of typical shore defense weapons located primarily on the ocean side, and anti-aircraft weapons.  Under the command of Captain Yoshimi of the Imperial Japanese Navy, it was garrisoned by approximately 3,300 troops of which only 37 percent survived. 

Japanese Airstrip and Base

Mille Island, Mille Atoll

Mille Atoll: Mille Atoll is located 95 nautical miles south of Majuro and has the largest land area in the Ratak Chain.  Held by the Japanese until the end of the war, an airfield consisting of three runways was located on the main island of Mille.  The atoll was heavily fortified with 122 dual-purpose and coastal defense guns.  Additional facilities included the normal radar facilities, a weather station, and a radio direction station.  A local revolt by native islanders during the war was brutally suppressed by the Japanese occupation force.  Under the command of Captain Masanori Shiga of the Imperial Japanese Navy, approximately 2,500 of its 5,100 man garrison survived the war.

Japanese Airstrip Number 2

Ponape Island

Ponape Island: Ponape is a mountainous island of volcanic origin located in the East Caroline Islands.  It is 337 nautical miles southwest of Eniwetok Atoll and is roughly 12 miles by 14 miles in size with mountains rising to 2,300 feet.  Receiving over 400 inches of rain per year streams, rivers and waterfalls are abundant throughout the island.  Ponape is surrounded by a coral barrier reef that contains 25 inlets and serves to protect the island, allowing for mangrove swamps on the shore line.  Occupied and fortified by the Japanese with numerous coastal defense and anti-aircraft weapons of all types, its defenses proved to be a formidable challenge to attacking forces.  Also located on the island were  Japanese airstrips at Nan Pohn Mal and Palikir and a seaplane base at one of the barrier islands with a ramp facing the calm water side of the reef.  It remained occupied by the Japanese until it was surrendered on September 11, 1945.

Japanese Base

Kusaie Island

Kusaie Island: Kusaie is located about 330 nautical miles southeast of Ponape and consists of one large mountainous island with an area of about 65 square miles.  The rugged interior is usually inaccessible and its highest mountain is 1,800 feet above sea level.  Between Mount Finkol and Mount Mutunte lies a broad valley which divides the island.  At each end of the valley, a deep harbor is located – Okat Harbor on the west coast, and Lele Harbor on the east.  Kusaie became part of the Japanese Empire in 1914 when it was ceded by Germany and remained occupied by the Japanese through the end of the Second World War.

Japanese Airstrip and Base

Nauru Island

Nauru Island: The island of Nauru is part of the Gilbert Island group and is located approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of Tarawa Atoll.  Nauru is a raised  atoll with a surrounding reef that is visible at low tide.  There are no harbor facilities.  Nauru's circumference is roughly 12 miles, giving it a land mass of about eight square miles.  Prior to World War II Nauru was administered by Australia following its seizure from Germany in 1914.  In August 1942 Nauru was occupied by the Japanese who promptly began to exploit Nauru's phosphate mining facilities with Chinese slave labor and native islanders pressed into service.  The Japanese also constructed an airstrip which became operational in 1943.  Nauru was defended with the usual array of coastal defense and dual purpose guns manned by a garrison of about 2,500 men.  Nauru remained occupied until the end of the war.

Japanese Base

Ocean Island

Ocean Island: The island of Ocean is part of the Gilbert Island group and is located approximately 225 nautical miles southwest of Tarawa Atoll.  Ocean is a raised  atoll with a maximum elevation of 300 feet and a land mass of about three square miles.  An Australian possession prior to World War II, Ocean was occupied by approximately 500 Japanese troops in August of 1942.  Following the deportation of all but 150 native islanders to be used as forced labor, Ocean was then fortified with the usual gun emplacements to oppose any landing attempts.  Ocean remained occupied until the end of the war.  Just prior to its surrender, the Japanese garrison executed virtually all of the remaining native islanders in an attempt to eliminate witnesses to other atrocities committed there.