Kangoku Rock

Northern Mariana Islands / Northern Islands / Settlement /
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Kangoku Iwa (i.e. Prison Rock)
On 1 March 1945 (D-plus 10) the fully loaded ammunition ship Columbia Victory was approaching Beach Purple One when it came under heavy artillery and mortar fire, apparently from this islet. Although bracketed by a salvo as the Japanese found the range, the ship managed to escape out to sea. Three 90mm batteries of the newly arrived 506th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion (Army) were given the task of working over Kama and Kangoku whenever activity on those rocks was observered.
On 13 March, 99 Marines of the FMFP Reconnaissance Battalion in 10 rubber rafts (LCR) landed on Kangoku at 9:00 a.m., backed up by two flame thrower teams, ready for a fight. No enemy were found on the islet, but a few fortified caves and gun positions indicated recent occupation. After a search of Kama Rock, both islets were declared secured at 10:24 a.m.
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Coordinates:   24°48'8"N   141°17'10"E
This article was last modified 18 years ago