Background

The 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942 to stop further Japanese expansion. On August 17–18, 1942, the US Marine Corps’ 2nd Raider Battalion conducted an amphibious raid on the Japanese-occupied Makin Island in the South Pacific. This operation was intended to divert Japanese reinforcements bound for Guadalcanal, over 1,000 miles to the southwest. The Raiders were to destroy the seaplane base and radio station, take prisoners, and collect intelligence. The Raiders suffered heavy causalities and even left some Marines behind, but the raid was an invaluable test of the innovative training and tactics employed by the Raiders, and a crucial boost to national morale at this difficult stage in the war.

Contents

• Introduction
• Origins
• Initial Strategy
• The Plan
• The Raid
• Aftermath

Bottom Line Up Front

This is the first book in Osprey’s Raid Series I have read. I found it an excellent review of the raid and an great starting point for further study. Thanks to Osprey publishing and to IPMS USA for the chance to review this fine book.