Combat· World War II
Battle of Saipan
Saipan was the first of the big Marianas islands to be attacked, a large land mass of cane fields, swamps, and the towering Mount Tapotchau.
Japanese spotters on the high ground could call down accurate fire on almost any move below. The 2d and 4th Marine Divisions landed side by side on the western beaches under heavy artillery and mortar fire, with an Army division in reserve. The Marines clawed inland, took the high ground, and pushed north up the island through brutal cave and cliff fighting. Near the end the enemy threw in one of the largest banzai charges of the war, which was finally ground down in savage close combat. The battle ended with mass suicides at the island's northern cliffs. Saipan's capture put American bombers within range of Japan and shook the enemy's government to its core.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 106