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Namesake
Saipan - The Battle of Saipan took place 15 June-13 July 1944. Landings of 2nd and 4th Marine divisions on 8 beaches, abreast, met instant resistance from LG
Saito’s garrison and Admiral Nagumo’s 6,000 sailors ashore. By nightfall, a beachhead had been established, but continued heavy resistance necessitated
commitment of the U.S. 27th Division to reinforce the assault. Departure of 59 Mitscher’s carriers (17 June) and - later- of all warships (for the battle of the
Philippine Sea) deprived the attackers of much needed naval air and gunfire support. The ground troops made small but continued progress at heavy cost over terrain
skillfully organized and defended by first class troops. The island’s airfield had fallen into U.S. hands by June 18, but not until July 9, following a last-ditch
fanatical counter-attack by the 3,000 Japanese still surviving, did organized resistance end. American casualties on Saipan were 3,126 killed - including
hundreds of Japanese civilians who committed suicide by jumping off the cliffs. Only about 2,000 were made prisoner.
Photo - Marines followed tanks against the last Japanese defenders with machine gunners providing cover. Three men alongside the photographer were hit just before he took the
picture. Photo by W. Eugene Smith LIFE magazine
Map - Saipan Island, 15 June-9 July 1944, U.S. Department of Defense.
| Tommy Trampp |
