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{{short description|Military event}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra}}
{{infobox military conflict
{{infobox military conflict
| conflict = '''Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra Atoll'''
| conflict = '''Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra Atoll'''
| partof = the [[Pacific Theater]] of [[World War II]]
| partof = the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]] of [[World War II]]
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| date = December 12th to 24th, 1941
| date = December 12 to 24, 1941
| place = [[Johnston Atoll|Johnston]] and [[Palmyra Atoll|Palmyra]] Atoll, Pacific Ocean
| place = [[Johnston Atoll|Johnston]] and [[Palmyra Atoll|Palmyra]] Atoll, Pacific Ocean
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| map_type =
| map_type =
| latitude =
| latitude =
| longitude =
| longitude =
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
| map_label =
| map_label =
| territory =
| territory =
| result = Inconclusive, minor damage to US installations, both islands heavily strengthened
| result = Inconclusive;
*Minor damage to U.S. installations, both islands heavily strengthened
| status =
| status =
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|United States|}} [[United States]]
| combatant1 = {{flag|United States|1912}}
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Japan|naval}} [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]
| combatant2 = {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
| combatant3 =
| combatant3 =
| commander1 = Maj. Francis Loomis, [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[Francis B. Loomis Jr.]]
| commander2 = Unknown
| commander2 = Unknown
| commander3 =
| commander3 =
| units1 = [[Marine defense battalions|1st Marine Defense Battalion]], various US Navy forces, civilian contractors
| units1 = [[1st Defense Battalion]]<br>Various U.S. Navy forces<br>Civilian contractors
| units2 = Unknown
| units2 = Unknown
| units3 =
| units3 =
| strength1 = Marine 5-inch coastal guns
| strength1 = Marine 5-inch coastal guns
| strength2 = Multiple submarines, possible surface vessels
| strength2 = Multiple submarines<br>Possible surface vessels
| strength3 =
| strength3 =
| casualties1 = One US Marine wounded, damaged military installations
| casualties1 = 1 Marine wounded<br>Damaged military installations
| casualties2 = Possible damage to Japanese ships
| casualties2 = Possible damage to Japanese ships
| casualties3 =
| casualties3 =
| notes =
| notes =
| campaignbox =
| campaignbox =
}}
}}
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{{campaignbox Hawaiian Islands Campaign}}
{{campaignbox Hawaiian Islands Campaign}}


[[Johnston Atoll|Johnston]] and [[Palmyra Atoll|Palmyra]] are two American controlled atolls located in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Johnston had been claimed for the US in 1858, Palmyra in 1859; both under the Guano Islands act. Following the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor]], Japanese navy forces attacked [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] possessions across the Pacific, including Johnston and Palmyra.
[[Johnston Atoll|Johnston]] and [[Palmyra Atoll|Palmyra]] are two atolls in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Johnston was claimed for the US in 1858 and Palmyra in 1859 under the [[Guano Islands Act]]. Following the 1941 [[Attack on Pearl Harbor]], Japanese navy forces attacked [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] possessions across the Pacific, including Johnston and Palmyra.


== Background ==
== Background ==
Both islands had been obtained through the Guano Islands Act of 1856, although Palmyra was void of Guano. The lack of guano caused Palmyra to pass through the ownership of many different groups throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Johnston and Palmyra were placed under US Navy control in 1934 by President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]. Both islands were garrisoned and Johnston served as a refueling station for passing US Navy ships. Although an airfield was under construction on Johnston, the only aircraft present on the island were Navy [[PBY]] patrol planes, usually anchored offshore.
Both islands had been obtained through the Guano Islands Act of 1856, although Palmyra was void of guano. The lack of guano caused Palmyra to pass through the ownership of many different groups throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Johnston and Palmyra were placed under US Navy control in 1934 by President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]. Both islands were garrisoned and Johnston served as a refueling station for passing US Navy ships. Although an airfield was under construction on Johnston, the only aircraft present on the island were Navy [[PBY]] patrol planes, usually anchored offshore.


Johnston became noticeable to the Japanese command because of its location. Although it was too close to Hawaii to be amphibiously assaulted, it was near the major Japanese air base in the Marshall Islands. The executive officer of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion, Major Francis B. Loomis, had arrived on Johnston on December 7th, 1941. He had been returning by air from an inspection of the American outposts in the Pacific when Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He then took control of the island's garrison.
Johnston became noticeable to the Japanese command because of its location. Although it was too close to Hawaii to be amphibiously assaulted, it was near the major Japanese air base in the Marshall Islands. The executive officer of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion, Major [[Francis B. Loomis Jr.]], had arrived on Johnston on December 7, 1941. He had been returning by air from an inspection of the American outposts in the Pacific when Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He then took control of the island's garrison.


Following news of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the civilian contractors already present on Johnston began to building more emplacements for the Marines' guns and positions. Six US Navy ships were also on Johnston, practicing their use of the [[Higgins boat|Higgins Boat]] on Johnston's shore. For the next few days, their was very little activity around both islands.
Following news of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the civilian contractors already present on Johnston began building more emplacements for the Marines' guns and positions. Six US Navy ships were also on Johnston, practicing their use of the [[Higgins boat|Higgins Boat]] on Johnston's shore. For the next few days, there was very little activity around both islands.


== The Attacks ==
== The attacks ==
The first attack on the islands came on December 12th, 1941. A Japanese submarine, 8,000 yards offshore, broke the surface and and fired star shells clusters over Johnston. The Marine [[5"/51 caliber gun|5-inch guns]] tried to find the enemy submarine with it's own star shell clusters, scaring the submarine off.
The first attack on the islands came on December 12, 1941. A Japanese submarine, 8,000&nbsp;yards offshore, broke the surface and fired star shell clusters over Johnston.<ref name="Jones">{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=Terry|title=A Parting Shot - Shelling of Australia by Japanese Submarines 1942|date=2013|publisher=Casper Publications|location=Narrabeen, Australia|isbn=9780977506347|pages=317}}</ref> The US Marine crews of [[5"/51 caliber gun|5-inch coastal guns]] tried to find the submarine with star shells, after which the submarine withdrew.<ref name="Jones" />


Another attack came on the night of 15th. The US Navy supply ship, ''Burrows'', had arrived at dusk to drop off supplies meant for the Marines stranded on [[Battle of Wake Island|Wake]], and to retrieve some civilian contractors to return to Pearl Harbor. The Navy ship and the Marines on Johnston spotted a flash at sea. The first enemy shells hit Johnston and it's powerhouse, setting off a large fire that engulfed the building. The Marines and Japanese returned fire for ten minutes before the Japanese ceased fire.
On the night of December 15, a US Navy supply ship, ''William Ward Burrows'', arrived at dusk to drop off supplies for Marines stranded on [[Battle of Wake Island|Wake]], and to retrieve civilian contractors and return to Pearl Harbor. Crew members of ''Burrows'' and Marines on Johnston spotted a flash at sea. The first bracket of shells landed on Johnston, and at least one hit the powerhouse, causing a fire that engulfed the building.<ref name="Jones" /> The Marines returned fire for ten minutes until the submarine ceased firing.<ref name="Jones" />


The final attacks came on the nights of December 21st, and 22nd. The December 21st shelling was almost a repeat of the attack on December 12th. The final attack came on the 22nd. A Japanese submarine fired a star shell cluster and six shells at Johnston, knocking down a homing tower, and wounding a Marine. The Marines dueled with the Japanese submarine, and forced it to submerge.
There was a similar attack on the night of December 21.<ref name="Jones" /> A final attack came on the 22nd, when a Japanese submarine fired a star shell cluster and six shells at Johnston, knocking down a homing tower and wounding a Marine.<ref name="Jones" /> Fire from Marine-crewed coastal batteries forced the submarine to submerge.


The sole attack on Palmyra(located 900 miles southeast of Johnston) came near dawn on December 24th, 1941. A Japanese submarine fired on Palmyra and the US Navy dredge, ''Sacramento'', which sat in the atoll's lagoon. The Japanese shells did minor damage to the ship before it was driven back under by Marine 5-inch coastal guns.
Palmyra (located 900&nbsp;miles southeast of Johnston), was attacked once, on December 24, 1941.<ref name="Jones" /> A Japanese submarine fired on Palmyra and a US Navy dredge, ''Sacramento'', which sat in the atoll's lagoon.<ref name="Jones" /> The shells did minor damage to the ''Sacramento'' before the submarine was driven back by 5-inch gunfire.<ref name="Jones" />
[[File:James M Masters Sr - a Major on Johnston Island 1942.jpg|thumb|Maj. James Masters, USMC on Johnston, 1942]]


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
[[File:James_M_Masters_Sr_-_a_Major_on_Johnston_Island_1942.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Maj. James Masters, USMC on Johnston, 1942]]Following the Japanese naval attacks on Johnston and Palmyra, both were heavily reinforced. Johnston was given more heavy guns, machine guns, and an infantry company. Similar precautions were taken with Palmyra. Although they were isolated the Marine, Navy, and civilian garrisons became the front line of Pearl Harbor's defense while it recuperated.Both islands continued to be garrisoned by Marines throughout the war.
Following the Japanese naval attacks on Johnston and Palmyra, both were heavily reinforced. Johnston was given more heavy guns, machine guns, and an infantry company. Similar precautions were taken with Palmyra. Although they were isolated, the Marine, Navy, and civilian garrisons became the front line of Pearl Harbor's defense while it recuperated. Both islands continued to be garrisoned by Marines throughout the war.



== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
'''Books'''
'''Books'''
*{{cite book|last=Hammel|first=Eric|title=Pacific Warriors: The US Marines in World War II: A Pictorial Tribute|year= 2005|publisher=Zenith Press|location=400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN|isbn=978-0-7603-2907-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Hammel|first=Eric|title=Pacific Warriors: The US Marines in World War II: A Pictorial Tribute|year= 2005|publisher=Zenith Press|location=Minneapolis, MN|isbn=978-0-7603-2097-6}}


;News articles and websites
;News articles and websites
*{{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/I/USMC-I-II-2.html|title=History of US Marine Corps Operations in World War II: Japan Strikes(The Southern Outposts)|work=Hough*Ludwig*Shaw|date=15 March 2011 |accessdate=16 July 2008 |author=Lt. Col. Frank O. Hough, Maj. Verle E. Ludwig, Henry I. Shaw}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/I/USMC-I-II-2.html|title=History of US Marine Corps Operations in World War II: Japan Strikes (The Southern Outposts)|work=Hough*Ludwig*Shaw|date=March 15, 2011 |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |author=Lt. Col. Frank O. Hough, Maj. Verle E. Ludwig, Henry I. Shaw|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225111204/http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/I/USMC-I-II-2.html|archivedate=December 25, 2013}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=12515|title=Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge|author=US Fish and Wildlife Service}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=12515|title=Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge|author=US Fish and Wildlife Service|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206224721/http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=12515|archivedate=December 6, 2013}}
{{Authority control}}
*{{cite web|http://www.historyofnations.net/oceania/palmyra.html|title=History of Palmyra Atoll|date=2005|author=History of Nations}}

*{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnston_Atoll|title=Johnston Atoll|work=Wikipedia|date=25 February 2002|author= Wikipedia}}
{{Dec41attacks}}

[[Category:1941 in the United States]]
[[Category:Battles and operations of World War II involving Japan]]
[[Category:Battles and operations of World War II involving the United States]]
[[Category:Battles and conflicts without fatalities]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1941]]
[[Category:Johnston Atoll]]
[[Category:Palmyra Atoll]]
[[Category:December 1941 events]]

Latest revision as of 15:47, 4 April 2024

Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra Atoll
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
DateDecember 12 to 24, 1941
Location
Johnston and Palmyra Atoll, Pacific Ocean
Result

Inconclusive;

  • Minor damage to U.S. installations, both islands heavily strengthened
Belligerents
 United States  Japan
Commanders and leaders
United States Francis B. Loomis Jr. Unknown
Units involved
1st Defense Battalion
Various U.S. Navy forces
Civilian contractors		 Unknown
Strength
Marine 5-inch coastal guns Multiple submarines
Possible surface vessels
Casualties and losses
1 Marine wounded
Damaged military installations		 Possible damage to Japanese ships

Johnston and Palmyra are two atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Johnston was claimed for the US in 1858 and Palmyra in 1859 under the Guano Islands Act. Following the 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese navy forces attacked Allied possessions across the Pacific, including Johnston and Palmyra.

Background

[edit]

Both islands had been obtained through the Guano Islands Act of 1856, although Palmyra was void of guano. The lack of guano caused Palmyra to pass through the ownership of many different groups throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Johnston and Palmyra were placed under US Navy control in 1934 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Both islands were garrisoned and Johnston served as a refueling station for passing US Navy ships. Although an airfield was under construction on Johnston, the only aircraft present on the island were Navy PBY patrol planes, usually anchored offshore.

Johnston became noticeable to the Japanese command because of its location. Although it was too close to Hawaii to be amphibiously assaulted, it was near the major Japanese air base in the Marshall Islands. The executive officer of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion, Major Francis B. Loomis Jr., had arrived on Johnston on December 7, 1941. He had been returning by air from an inspection of the American outposts in the Pacific when Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He then took control of the island's garrison.

Following news of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the civilian contractors already present on Johnston began building more emplacements for the Marines' guns and positions. Six US Navy ships were also on Johnston, practicing their use of the Higgins Boat on Johnston's shore. For the next few days, there was very little activity around both islands.

The attacks

[edit]

The first attack on the islands came on December 12, 1941. A Japanese submarine, 8,000 yards offshore, broke the surface and fired star shell clusters over Johnston.[1] The US Marine crews of 5-inch coastal guns tried to find the submarine with star shells, after which the submarine withdrew.[1]

On the night of December 15, a US Navy supply ship, William Ward Burrows, arrived at dusk to drop off supplies for Marines stranded on Wake, and to retrieve civilian contractors and return to Pearl Harbor. Crew members of Burrows and Marines on Johnston spotted a flash at sea. The first bracket of shells landed on Johnston, and at least one hit the powerhouse, causing a fire that engulfed the building.[1] The Marines returned fire for ten minutes until the submarine ceased firing.[1]

There was a similar attack on the night of December 21.[1] A final attack came on the 22nd, when a Japanese submarine fired a star shell cluster and six shells at Johnston, knocking down a homing tower and wounding a Marine.[1] Fire from Marine-crewed coastal batteries forced the submarine to submerge.

Palmyra (located 900 miles southeast of Johnston), was attacked once, on December 24, 1941.[1] A Japanese submarine fired on Palmyra and a US Navy dredge, Sacramento, which sat in the atoll's lagoon.[1] The shells did minor damage to the Sacramento before the submarine was driven back by 5-inch gunfire.[1]

Maj. James Masters, USMC on Johnston, 1942

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the Japanese naval attacks on Johnston and Palmyra, both were heavily reinforced. Johnston was given more heavy guns, machine guns, and an infantry company. Similar precautions were taken with Palmyra. Although they were isolated, the Marine, Navy, and civilian garrisons became the front line of Pearl Harbor's defense while it recuperated. Both islands continued to be garrisoned by Marines throughout the war.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jones, Terry (2013). A Parting Shot - Shelling of Australia by Japanese Submarines 1942. Narrabeen, Australia: Casper Publications. p. 317. ISBN 9780977506347.

Books

  • Hammel, Eric (2005). Pacific Warriors: The US Marines in World War II: A Pictorial Tribute. Minneapolis, MN: Zenith Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-2097-6.
News articles and websites


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