Combat· World War II
Battle of Tinian
Tinian lay just south of Saipan, close enough that artillery on the captured island could fire across the strait in support.
Its flat ground was ideal for the big airfields the Allies wanted for bombing Japan. The 2d and 4th Marine Divisions made the assault, but instead of hitting the obvious wide beaches they came ashore over two narrow strips on the northern end, catching the enemy off guard. This bold choice kept early losses low. Once ashore, the Marines drove the length of the island, pushing the defenders south against artillery firing from Saipan, naval gunfire, and air strikes. The fighting ended with the enemy cornered at the southern cliffs. Often called the best-planned amphibious operation of the Pacific war, Tinian gave the Allies the airfields from which B-29s would later strike the Japanese home islands.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 107