Japanese Airfield Communication Gear
Makin
- One 1 kw low-frequency radio, one 100 watt medium frequency radio, one 1 kw high-frequency radio, and three 100 watt high frequency radios.
Tarawa
- The same equipment was located on Betio Island with the addition of one 500 watt low-frequency radio set.
This picture shows the radio setup on Makin after the Army captured the island from the Japanese. Cables were laid in raceway in the concrete floor with an electrical panel located on the far wall. Note the M1 Garand and the US canteen in the lower left corner. The radio setup on Betio was most likely very similar to this one with the addition of one more radio for a total of seven radios. Since the command bunker on Betio was burned out with Thermite grenades and flamethrowers the radios were probably completely destroyed.
Any other radio information or pictures would be appreciated.
Thanks to Keith Allen for providing information.
Source: Operational History of Japanese Naval Communications.
Email - Jonathan.E.Stevens@wheaton.edu
copyright 2000 Wheaton, Illinois
Created February 25, 2000 - Updated 16 July 2001
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