The purpose of the second attack by the US military on Makin Atoll was different, because the purpose of the first attack was to divert the attention of the Japanese army and attract some of the Japanese supply forces to carry out a diversion raid, so that the amphibious landing operations on Guadalcanal and Tulagi could be carried out smoothly.

Now, in November 1943, the Second Battle of Makin Atoll began, and the U.S. military aimed to capture the Gilbert Islands and Nauru Islands, as well as the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, and Bonaparte Islands, as well as the Central Caroline Islands, Palau, Yap, and Mariana Islands, including Truk Island.

However, because Nauru Island is not a coral island, the cliffs on the island, the dense forests, and the beach area are also very narrow, which is not conducive to the US military to carry out amphibious landing operations at all.

So Nimitz, at Spruance's suggestion, decided to first seize the Nimmakin Atoll and convert the seaplane on the island into a bomber airfield, and then assist the American amphibious landing force to capture their next target, the Gilbert Islands.

In fact, the U.S. military did this because the Japanese army in 1943 had realized that after they lost Yamamoto 56 and a large number of main aircraft carriers, their naval strength was much inferior to before, and there was no way to fight head-to-head with the U.S. military

For this reason, the strategic focus of the US military has changed from taking the initiative to fighting in a strategic defensive phase.

The Japanese now plan to convert the islands they have occupied into defensive fortresses; The Japanese army not only deployed a large number of troops on the islands, but also built a relatively large number of airfields between the islands, and tried to integrate these islands into a solid sea aircraft carrier to resist and prevent the large-scale counterattack and landing of the US army.

Therefore, when the 165th Regiment and the 105th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army successfully landed, the Japanese army knocked out many hidden beachhead locations on the front line by the U.S. Army.

However, when the U.S. forces used the 7.62 mm machine guns of the LVT-1 amphibious personnel carriers to strafe fire, the Japanese used several times the strength of the force, as well as a large number of Japanese rifles, machine guns, and anti-landing artillery to assist in firing, to prevent the U.S. troops from continuing to land and advance inland.

"Kill, give! Kill to ......"

In the midst of the blood-red eyes of the Japanese army captain Jiro Sato, wielding a command knife, roaring frantically; The sound of his counterattack resounded throughout the beachhead in an instant.

At the same time, the American machine gunners and personnel carriers who opened fire for fire detection were one after another; One by one, they were killed and destroyed on the beachhead.

"Fast tank support, we must not let those Japanese troops continue to suppress our advance, and destroy their machine gun positions and artillery positions for me!"

The new commander of the 165th Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Kelly, watched the increasing casualty rate of the troops under his command; He also gritted his teeth and roared angrily.

Immediately following his angry counter-orders, Lieutenant Edward Gallagher immediately commanded his six M3 medium tanks to attack the last Japanese beachhead along the beach at sea.

However, before they could open fire, the US naval artillery group had already taken the lead in facing those Japanese positions, and once again rained down an overwhelming and powerful high-explosive bomb group.

"Boom! Rumble ......"

As the earth shook with the deafening sound of shelling, the entire Japanese position, which had just been fiercely counterattacking, was instantly blown up with smoke and dust, dust flew all over the sky, flames soared into the sky, and the terrible screams continued for a long time......

"Fight back! Counter ......"

But the Japanese captain Jiro Sato, who was very lucky not to be killed or injured by the explosion, roared wildly and fought back.

"Boom! Rumble! Boom ......"

It's just that he didn't shout for long before he was hit by the tank guns of the US M3 medium tank group that had been killed in front of him.

Later, in the sound of powerful explosions, the Japanese army captain Jiro Sato was also blown into stumps and thrown into the sky, and then fell down and fell on the sand, staining the ground red.

"Yaga! Damn Yankee! Shoot me back, shoot back right away! We want to avenge His Excellency Captain Jiro Sato! ”

When the Japanese army captain Jiro Sato was blown to pieces by the US tank gun, the adjutant Koki Akiyama suddenly roared angrily.

Immediately, he led a large group of machine gunners and anti-tank gunners to counterattack the M3 medium tank groups of the American army.

However, when they counterattacked, they had to brave the threat of shelling by American naval guns, and they continued to suffer casualties.

At this time, Rear Admiral Shibasaki Keiji had also learned from his operational staff officer Uta Jun that the U.S. forces had launched the second Battle of Majin Atoll, and that many troops had successfully landed and were engaged in fierce battles with the Japanese troops defending the island.

"What about our naval fleet? Didn't they send a flight unit to support Makin Atoll? ”

As soon as he learned about this, Rear Admiral Keiji Shibasaki asked anxiously.

"Our naval fleet is not in the vicinity, and even if they have to come to Makin Atoll, it will take a long time, and they may not be able to reach Makin Atoll smoothly and carry out support operations!"

"Because the U.S. military is now not only deploying a large number of air fleets to carry out bombing raids in the Makin Atoll, the Gilbert Islands and Nauru Islands, and the Marshall Islands; Moreover, there are two U.S. aircraft carrier fleets stationed on the sea route around Makin Atoll, and if they encounter our Imperial Navy fleet, they will immediately engage in sniper operations! ”

Combat staff officer Yu Dajun replied truthfully with a solemn face.

"And what about our airport in Makin Atoll? Did combat planes take off there to fight back against the invading American troops? ”

Rear Admiral Keiji Shibasaki asked irritably.

"Yes! But now it is being attacked by a large number of US carrier-based aircraft and long-range bomber groups, and now it is difficult to protect itself, and I am afraid that there is no way to assist the defenders on the island to kill those US amphibious landing combat units that have come to attack! ”

Combat staff officer Yu Dajun replied helplessly.

"Yaga! These damn US troops! ”

Hearing this, Rear Admiral Keiji Shibasaki suddenly roared angrily.

"So what do we do now? Your Excellency, Major General! ”

Operational Staff Officer Woo Dajun asked worriedly.

"What else can I do? Immediately ask when the HNA troops will be able to come to us for support, and find a way to send me more troops to support Majin Atoll! ”

"We must not lose the airfields there, or we will lose air supremacy in the Gilbert Islands and Nauru!"

"Without air supremacy, this war will have a great disadvantage for us, even a fatal disadvantage! So I would never let that happen! ”

After hearing this, Rear Admiral Keiji Shibasaki suddenly roared in a violent temper.

"Yes! Your Excellency, Lieutenant General! ”

Combat staff officer Udajun immediately nodded in agreement.

Immediately, he went to follow the orders of Rear Admiral Keiji Shibasaki to find a way to transfer troops to support the Majin Atoll against the American army; and an urgent request for help from the Japanese Navy in the vicinity.