RARE WWII \"SECRET\" 4th Marine Division D-Day Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Island Map For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

---

RARE WWII \"SECRET\" 4th Marine Division D-Day Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Island Map:
$8500.00

Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A. and a full historical researched write-up

SHOWS Operation Burlesque-Camouflage. D-DAY LANDING BEACHES OF GREEN 2 AND GREEN 1, RED 3, RED 2, & RED 1.

This extremely rare and museum-grade WWII Operation Burlesque-Camouflage D-Day invasion map is marked “SECRET” and shows all the D-Day landing beaches of Roi-Namur Island (Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands). Burlesque, Camouflage, and Carillon were the codenames used for Roi, Namur, and Kwajalein.

This SECRET map comes from a Pacific Theater bring-back collection with all SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, and RESTRICTED 4th Marine Division maps.

This map is similar to the “SECRET” BIGOT series produced for the D-Day invasion of Normandy and June 6th, 1944, and the BIGOT series produced for the Invasion of Southern France. This invasion map shows the intensive planning that went behind this operation as it lays out all of the beach heads as well as all of the Japanese pillboxes and strategic strongpoints.

The 4th Marine Division under Major General Harry Schmidt was to assault Roi-Namur, and the Army 7th Infantry Division under Major General Charles H. Corlett would attack Kwajalien. After these islands were taken, there was one more objective in the Marshalls: Eniwetok Atoll. This was targeted for attack some three months later by a task force comprised of the 22d Marine Regiment (called in the Corps the \"22d Marines\") and most of the Army\'s 106th Infantry Regiment. Brigadier General Thomas E. Watson, USMC, would be in command. As a preliminary to these priority operations, the occupation of another atoll in the eastern Marshalls was planned. This objective was Majuro, which would serve as an advanced air and naval base and safeguard supply lines to Kwajalein 220 miles to the northwest. Because it was believed to be very lightly defended, only the Marine V Amphibious Corps Reconnaissance Company and the 2d Battalion, 106th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division were assigned to capture Majuro. To support all of these thrusts there would be a massive assemblage of U.S. Navy ships: carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and an astonishingly varied array of transports and landing craft. These warships provided a maximum potential for intensive pre-invasion aerial bombing and ship-to-shore bombardment; the increased tonnage in high explosives, the lengthened duration of the softening-up process. and the pinpointing of priority enemy targets were all lessons sorely learned from the inadequate preparatory shelling which had contributed to the steep casualties of Tarawa. For the Marshalls, there were altogether 380 ships carrying 85,000 men.

In late 1943, the U.S. Combined Chiefs of Staff decided to plan an attack on the Marshall Islands as part of the ongoing island-hopping campaign in the Pacific. Recent victories at Makin and Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands facilitated the construction of airbases and ports to supply the next ‘jump’ en route to the Japanese home islands.

The Marshalls were part of Japan’s outer ring of defenses and were reinforced with nearly 30,000 troops in strong defensive positions. The Allied assault began in late January 1944, and focused on the Kwajalein Atoll in the heart of the island group. The largest landmasses were Kwajalein Island and the linked island of Roi-Namur, the latter shown on this map that was created a month before the attack began.

Marked SECRET this map overlay provides a detailed overview of Japanese defenses amid the inhospitable terrain. (Burlesque, Camouflage, and Carillon were the codenames used for Roi, Namur, and Kwajalein).

During World War II, the Pacific Theatre witnessed some of the most intense and strategic battles between Allied and Axis forces. Among these, the Burlesque and Camouflage Islands Carillon Atoll in the Marshall Islands played a significant role in the D-Day invasion of the Fifth Amphibious Force by the Fourth Marine Division. Despite being marked \"SECRET,\" this assault map holds invaluable historical significance, shedding light on the complex operations that took place during the Allied campaign in the Pacific.

I. The Carillon Atoll and its Strategic Importance:

Carillon Atoll, part of the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific, is composed of numerous islands, among which are the Burlesque and Camouflage Islands. The atoll\'s strategic location made it an important target for both the Allied and Axis powers during World War II. Its possession would enable better control of the surrounding regions and offer valuable forward bases for further military offensives.

II. Development of the Assault Map Overlay:

The production of the assault map overlay for the northern attack force of the Fourth Marine Division was a meticulously planned operation. This map was created to provide the Marines with crucial intelligence regarding the terrain, enemy defenses, and potential obstacles they might encounter during the D-Day invasion.

Military intelligence personnel, cartographers, and reconnaissance units worked tirelessly to gather data, survey the islands, and analyze aerial and satellite imagery. They combined this information to create a detailed and accurate map overlay that would guide the Marines through the invasion process.

III. The D-Day Invasion of the Fifth Amphibious Force:

The D-Day invasion of the Fifth Amphibious Force on the Burlesque and Camouflage Islands took place in 1944. The operation was part of a larger strategic campaign aimed at weakening the Japanese hold on the Pacific and securing vital positions for future offensives.

The assault began with a comprehensive naval bombardment, where Allied ships and aircraft bombarded enemy defenses, attempting to soften their resistance. The map overlay proved to be invaluable during this stage, enabling the Allied forces to target specific enemy positions with precision.

IV. Challenges and Tactics:

As with any military operation, the invasion of the Carillon Atoll was not without challenges. The Japanese forces, deeply entrenched on the islands, put up a fierce defense. The rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and well-fortified bunkers posed significant obstacles for the invading Marines.

To overcome these challenges, the Allied forces employed various tactics, including amphibious assaults, combined arms warfare, and coordinated air support. The assault map overlay played a crucial role in guiding the Marines through the treacherous landscape, ensuring they avoided potential ambushes and targeted enemy positions effectively.

V. The Aftermath and Legacy:

The D-Day invasion of the Burlesque and Camouflage Islands was a resounding success for the Allied forces. The Fourth Marine Division secured control of the atoll, dealing a significant blow to the Japanese defenses in the region.

The assault map overlay and the careful planning that went into its creation played a crucial role in this victory. By providing real-time information and insights, the overlay enhanced the Marines\' situational awareness, contributing to the efficiency and success of the operation.

The successful capture of the Carillon Atoll had a profound impact on the overall Pacific Theatre campaign. It provided a strategic foothold for further advancements towards Japan, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Axis powers in the region.

The Burlesque and Camouflage Islands Carillon Atoll in the Marshall Islands holds a remarkable place in the history of World War II. The assault map overlay marked \"SECRET\" was an essential tool in the success of the D-Day invasion of the Fifth Amphibious Force by the Fourth Marine Division. Through meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and precise execution, the Allied forces secured this strategic location, contributing significantly to their overall victory in the Pacific Theatre. The legacy of this historic event serves as a reminder of the valor and sacrifices made by those who fought in this critical chapter of human history.

Rare WWII WW2 U.S.Army M-1941 M1941 Round Mermite Blood Bank Can

$559.99

RARE WWII Chaplains Complete Catholic Rosary Fob 1933 Jubilee Year Bronze Medal

$154.99

RARE WWII Curtis LeMay B-29 21st Bomber Command 1945 SENDAI Mission TYPE 1 Photo

$350.00

RARE WWII ERA BARREL KNIFE W/HAND CARVED SHEATH FROM ESKILSTUNA SWEDEN C1939-45

$189.89

WW2 WWII Incredibly Rare Manufacturer Shotgun Pouch Pouches HILL SHOE INC 1943

$50.00

Rare WWII .45 Ammo Tin Box Field Modified For Use Reenactors Gear Old 1944 US

$69.99

U.S. WWII Skytrain or Glider Aeronautic First Aid Kit Vintage RARE

$200.00

WW2 USMC Rare Experimental AICO 1943 Ethocelulose Canteen & Cover

$475.00