Task Force 8 raided Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap in the Marshall Islands in February 1942. Two waves totaling sixty-four aircraft sank a small gunboat and damaged the light cruiser Katori, a minelayer, and five other ships. The strike also hit aircraft and shore facilities for the loss of six American aircraft. Enterprise suffered only minor damage in the Japanese counterattack. In March, now with Task Force 16, she continued the early offensive with attacks on Wake and Marcus. These raids gave the United States a limited carrier striking capability while the wider Pacific position remained precarious.
Chapter · 29:38-30:18
Raids on the Marshalls, Wake, and Marcus
A sixty-four-aircraft strike hit Japanese ships, aircraft, and shore facilities in the Marshalls before later raids on Wake and Marcus.