Naval gunfire support was provided by the destroyers Wilkes and Roe, which commenced bombardment around 08:30. Indirect fire support was also provided from mortars and machine guns operated by the troops that had landed on Insoemanai the previous day.Smith, pp. 220–222 The efforts of these forces destroyed the defending Japanese 75 mm gun emplacements and damaged several bunkers. Meanwhile, the landing craft began embarking the assault troops from the beach at Toem, away. Their objective was a stretch of beach in a sheltered bay south of the jetty in the southwestern part of the island, which was one of the few places around the island where the coral reef did not extend. Their route to the beach would take them to the west of Insoemanai, after which the landing craft would turn northeast for their run to the shore.Morison pp. 99–100
