Q&A · 2:23:58-2:24:18

Fourteen-inch shells could skip across Eniwetok's low terrain

Very low island terrain affected the behavior of heavy shells during bombardment.

Question

Was Eniwetok where close-range bombardment made shells skip?

Short answer

Yes. Fourteen-inch shells were skipping across the very low ground and causing severe problems for the defenders.

Notes

The very low terrain let 14-inch shells skip during the bombardment. Their behavior added to the difficulties facing defenders on the exposed islands.