| 15 June 1944 U.S. Forces Land on Saipan |
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| 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: Campaign Maps: Personal Accounts: Photographs: |
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