The Shipwrecks of Roi-Namur
In the years following the publication of three editions of my book, World War II Wrecks of the Kwajalein and Truk Lagoons, new information has become available that either adds to or revamps previous observations and knowledge. This article should provide a current update.
In the years following the publication of three editions of my book, World War II Wrecks of the Kwajalein and Truk Lagoons, new information has become available that either adds to or revamps previous observations and knowledge. This article should provide a current update. The strategy of working to the west towards the Japanese Empire through the Central Pacific placed three important naval bases with significant shipping traffic in the target crosshairs of U.S. carrier planes. First of all was Kwajalein with its 6th Base Force and 24th Air Flotilla to be followed by bases at Truk and Palau. The initial carrier strikes at Kwajalein were conducted on February 1, 1942; the next offensive was a fast carrier strike on December 4, 1943, and the wrecks that resulted in the Roi-Namur anchorage and vicinity from that operation are the ones discussed here. Two carrier sub-groups from Task Force 50, TG 50.1 under Rear Admiral Pownall and TG 50.3 under Rear Admiral Montgomery, were tasked with crippling Japanese resistance to the upcoming invasion of Kwajalein by destroying enemy warships and merchant auxiliary shipping, eliminating enemy air opposition, and collecting photographic coverage of installations and beaches. Carriers (Air Group 5) and (Air Group 6) were assigned the southern atoll, Kwajalein Island area. Air Groups from carriers Essex and (Air Groups 9 and 16 respectively) were assigned shipping and aircraft targets in the northern atoll Roi-Namur Island area. planes participating included 26 F6Fs, 18 TBFs, and 28 SBDs. A total of 22 F6Fs, 24 SBDs, 19 TBFs, and the Air Group Commander in a TBF were launched from the Essex. F6Fs were assigned high-altitude cover for the planes attacking Roi-Namur. The Japanese were alerted to the approaching attack groups only minutes before arriving over Roi-Namur. When the initial strafing attacks on the airfield began, Japanese fighters and bombers were scrambling to take off. The attackers noted that the field at Roi fighters from assisting the planes which were engaging numerous Japanese planes. After destroying close to 20 enemy planes, the F6Fs where forced to flee because of the overwhelming numbers of enemy planes attacking them. When the SBD and TBF groups approached the anchorage, they reported two ships at anchor south of Roi, a -Class light cruiser” (actually the -Class light cruiser ) and an “8-10,000-ton AK” or merchantman (the 6,816-ton ). Another ten, smallish, “inter-island steamers and lighters” were also present in the anchorage. A second “-Class light cruiser” (the itself) was seen underway between 5-12 miles south of Roi heading in the direction of the North or Mellu passages attempting to exit the lagoon. The torpedo and bomber planes were able to sink the and and damage the two light cruisers despite significant anti-aircraft fire from the island and combatant ships. Japanese planes only made half-hearted attempts at retaliation attacks against these planes; the majority of the time, the Japanese pulled away and broke off their attacks without closing to effective kill ranges. The lack of communication prevented effective coordination of the fighter groups in attacking the planes present at Roi. As a result, some 40 to 60 Betty bombers and numerous fighters were left undamaged on the airfield.
