15 June 1944
U.S. Forces Land on Saipan
After securing the Gilbert and Marshall island chains, Admiral Nimitz’s offensive through the Central Pacific continued west toward the Mariana Islands, the most important of which were Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. U.S. military planners decided to concentrate on Saipan first, using it as a base for operations against the other two. On June 11 aircraft from Nimitz’s carriers began to pound Saipan, and four days later two divisions of U.S. Marines stormed the island. By the end of the first day 20,000 men had landed, to face a Japanese garrison of 32,000. Two days later the U.S. presence was strengthened by the arrival of the 27 th Infantry Division.

Progress on Saipan was slow at first, particularly since most U.S. aircraft were diverted to fight off an approaching Japanese fleet (see location #25). Nevertheless, by June 25 Mount Tapotchau, the highest point on the island, was in Allied hands, making further Japanese resistance difficult. On August 7 the defenders launched a final suicide attack on the Americans, after which the island was fully secured. The Japanese lost more than 26,000 men, while American casualties exceeded 16,500. Saipan would become the site of a major American airbase, as it was close enough for U.S. bombers stationed there to make raids against Japanese cities.

Histories:
Saipan: The Decisive Battle
Western Pacific (Guam, Saipan)

Campaign Maps:
Allied seizure of Marianas and New Guinea, 1944
Allied seizure of Marianas and New Guinea, 1944

Personal Accounts:
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with Alden F. Jacobs
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with W. Wallace Kaenzig

Photographs:
A member of a Marine patrol on Saipan found this Japanese family hiding in a hillside cave
After the Marines captured this mountain gun from the Japanese at Saipan, they put it into use during the attack on Garapan, administrative center of the island
With a canvas tarpaulin for a church and packing cases for an altar, a Navy chaplain holds mass for Marines at Saipan
Army reinforcements disembarking from LSTs form a graceful curve as they proceed across coral reef toward the beach
American National Park, Saipan—World War II Virtual Museum