In the summer of 1944, the allied advance in the Pacific theatre had reached the Marianas island chain. The second largest island in this chain, Saipan, lies 1,464 miles from the Japanese capital of Tokyo. With the completion of the Marshall Island campaign, US command determined that due to its proximity to the Japanese mainland, the Japanese held island of Saipan would be the next target. On 25 May, 1944, Task force 58 set sail from Hawaii to begin preparations for the assault.
Strategic organization and Overview
The United States became involved in the Pacific theatre of operations in 1941, after declaring war on the Japanese empire following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. World War II had raged across Europe since 1939, and the Japanese …show more content…
Many were the survivors of multiple units that had been the victims of US naval actions while on route to other locations in the theatre and were unarmed and ill equipped. The rest were members of the 43rd division of the Japanese imperial army, with some elements of the 47th mixed brigade, and small numbers of naval personnel. In addition to small arms and machine guns, the Japanese also possessed 36 medium tanks, and 12 light tanks. Also, present on the island were 29, 75mm mountain guns, 22 howitzers and scattered coastal artillery pieces (Crowl, 1993). American forces consisted of the 2nd and 4th Marine divisions, along with the US Army 27th division totaling 71,000 troops (Kingston, 2017). The 2nd Marines were veterans of Guadalcanal and Tarawa, with the 4th Marines and the 27th both having combat experience in the Pacific as well (Crowl, 1993). In addition to their organic weapons, US forces had tank support as well as amphibious tractors, which mounted mortars and 75mm cannons. Prior to setting sail for Saipan, American forces had conducted extensive live fire training in Hawaii to prepare for the invasion. Japanese preparations were hampered by a lack of materials to build fortifications, and emphasis on airfield construction, rather than fortifying the island (Crowl, 1993). Japanese plans for the island defense, consisted of stopping the enemy at the beaches, with counterattacks crushing any …show more content…
All troops to include the 27th division were ashore by the 16th of June. The attack phase of the battle began on the 16th with the US moving inland to secure their objectives. By the 17th of June, enemy resistance was weakening, and by the 20th, the Marines were in pursuit of a retreating enemy. The defenders attempted to halt the Marines in many locations, but found themselves slowly and steadily pushed to the north end of the island. Slow moving, intense fighting continued in the rugged terrain and high ridges as the Japanese were worn down and forced to retreat into ever tighter confines. On the morning of July 7th, the defenders conducted a suicide charge into US lines, losing approx. 4,311 soldiers, effectively ending their defense of the island. On the 9th of July, the island of Saipan was declared secure (Crowl, 1993). Total Japanese losses were estimated at 30,000, with the Americans losing 14,244 dead, wounded or missing in action (History Net,
Strategic organization and Overview
The United States became involved in the Pacific theatre of operations in 1941, after declaring war on the Japanese empire following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. World War II had raged across Europe since 1939, and the Japanese …show more content…
Many were the survivors of multiple units that had been the victims of US naval actions while on route to other locations in the theatre and were unarmed and ill equipped. The rest were members of the 43rd division of the Japanese imperial army, with some elements of the 47th mixed brigade, and small numbers of naval personnel. In addition to small arms and machine guns, the Japanese also possessed 36 medium tanks, and 12 light tanks. Also, present on the island were 29, 75mm mountain guns, 22 howitzers and scattered coastal artillery pieces (Crowl, 1993). American forces consisted of the 2nd and 4th Marine divisions, along with the US Army 27th division totaling 71,000 troops (Kingston, 2017). The 2nd Marines were veterans of Guadalcanal and Tarawa, with the 4th Marines and the 27th both having combat experience in the Pacific as well (Crowl, 1993). In addition to their organic weapons, US forces had tank support as well as amphibious tractors, which mounted mortars and 75mm cannons. Prior to setting sail for Saipan, American forces had conducted extensive live fire training in Hawaii to prepare for the invasion. Japanese preparations were hampered by a lack of materials to build fortifications, and emphasis on airfield construction, rather than fortifying the island (Crowl, 1993). Japanese plans for the island defense, consisted of stopping the enemy at the beaches, with counterattacks crushing any …show more content…
All troops to include the 27th division were ashore by the 16th of June. The attack phase of the battle began on the 16th with the US moving inland to secure their objectives. By the 17th of June, enemy resistance was weakening, and by the 20th, the Marines were in pursuit of a retreating enemy. The defenders attempted to halt the Marines in many locations, but found themselves slowly and steadily pushed to the north end of the island. Slow moving, intense fighting continued in the rugged terrain and high ridges as the Japanese were worn down and forced to retreat into ever tighter confines. On the morning of July 7th, the defenders conducted a suicide charge into US lines, losing approx. 4,311 soldiers, effectively ending their defense of the island. On the 9th of July, the island of Saipan was declared secure (Crowl, 1993). Total Japanese losses were estimated at 30,000, with the Americans losing 14,244 dead, wounded or missing in action (History Net,