The Battle of Saipan, a significant engagement during the Pacific campaign of World War II was fought between US forces and the Imperial Japanese Army on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15th June to 9th July 1944.


 


Red_Beach_-2


Around 0700 on 15th June 1944, US troops landed in LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) on Saipan’s west coast; in the above photograph, marines can be seen advancing on ‘Red beach 2’, close to the ground under heavy mortar and artillery fire. Despite suffering significant losses, the 2nd and 4th Divisions secured a beachhead, roughly 6 miles wide by half a mile deep, by nightfall.


To find out more about the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Tinian which followed why not grab a copy (or download the ePub or PDF eBook) of Saipan & Tinian 1944: Piercing the Japanese Empire by Gordon L. Rottman?


The original image can be found here.