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Article: The assault on Kwajalein Atoll. (Originated from Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- February 1, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Kwajalein atoll is a 50-mile wide triangular formation of some 97 islets enclosing the world's largest lagoon. It is located roughly in the center of the Marshall Islands. The Army's 7th Infantry Division was assigned Kwajalein island while the 4th Marine Division was sent against Roi and Namur, two small islets connected by a causeway. In all, 42,500 American troops would assault 8,500 Japanese defenders.
Because of the bloody experience at Tarawa two months earlier, maximum power was to be applied. It had been learned the hard way that pillboxes could only be knocked out by direct hits from large armor-piercing shells or by heavy bombs. Seven pre-war battleships were to ...