Boxcloth PTO (id:#65624)

(Quick 6 Scenario Pack IV ID: Q20)   [next]   [previous]

Otto Island, Apamama Atoll 1943-11-23 (9 others)

Overview:

'Boxcloth' was the US seizure of Apamama atoll in the Gilbert islands group of the central Pacific Ocean (20/23 November 1943). In the middle part of October 1943, the Apamama Atoll appeared to be unoccupied by the Japanese, and the V Amphibious Corps Reconnaissance Company was given the task of reconnoitering Apamama to establish whether or not it was occupied. If occupied in strength, elements of the 6th Marines were to assault the atoll on 26 November 1943. Loaded aboard the sub­marine Nautilus, the 68 marines and 10 engineers of the company travelled first to Tarawa and then to Apamama. The submarine was errantly attacked and damaged by a US destroyer while on its way, but was able to proceed and arrived off Apamama during the afternoon of 20 November. The company landed by rubber boat on the western side of Joe at 04.45 on the following morning: it had intended to land on John just to the east, but the current swept the company slightly to the west. The company then moved across John, in the process engaging a Japanese patrol. As they approached from Orson on 23 November, the Marines found 23 Japanese entrenched on the southern end of Otto Island, All of the gaps between the islands and islets between Apamama and Joe could be forded without difficulty at low tide, so the Marines moved to cross to Otto and take out the Japanese.

Defender: Japanese (Detachment from the 3rd Special Naval Landing Force)  

Errata (source)