Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese in December 1941. The island was garrisoned by Japanese, at the time of the American liberation by 30,000 army troops commanded by Lt. General Saito.   

American Landing
The liberation of Saipan was a sad chapter of fighting ahead, with fanatical military defense and civilian deaths. US Marines landed on June 15, 1944. The island was the first objective of the 2nd and 4th Marines Divisions of the 5th Amphibious Corps. The Army's 27th Infantry Division was in reserve. 20,000 US Troops went ashore on the south of the island, under heavy Japanese fire.  There were approximate 20,000 men in each division for a total of approximate 70,000 if you include such outfits as ship board marines thrown into the fight and such elements as the 29th Marines also known as the Bastard Battalion. They went ashore on D-Day with Approximately 1,200 men and were pulled off the line a little over two weeks later with only 200 men left, not counting replacements. By the end of the battle, there were 3,500 US casualties.   Several Japanese counter attacks and Banzai charges bloodied the US forces as they fought their way to the north The civilian population of Saipan committed mass suicide by jumping off cliffs at Marpi Point or committing suicide with hand grenades in caves. An estimated 22,000 civilians died in the battle. The Japanese committed suicide at at least two different locations on the north end of the island, Banadero "Last Japanese Command Post". Lt. General Saito and Navy Admiral Nagumo committed heri-kari in a cave on July 9, 1944, the day the island was declared secured by the US forces.

Torri Gate
Torri Gate and Japanese Shinto shrine that survived the war.

Saipan Jail
Sam McPhetres adds: "There is a named scratched into the inner wall of the of the corridor running along the main cellblock of the Saipan Japanese jail that may be worth some research: 'J. J. Beiser, June 15, 1944'. "

Agingan Point
After the American occupation, the 27th Infantry Division had an observation post at this location that overlooked Tinian, three miles away.

Obyan Point
After the American occupation, the 27th Infantry Division had an observation post at this location

American Memorial Park
Memorial park and visitor center, part of the US National Park system.
Located on the western side of Saipan, within Garapan and Puerto Rico villages.

Japanese Bunkers
Several remains of Japanese bunkers exist around the island.

Type 97 Chi Ha Medium Tank
Displayed on a pedestal

Caves & Japanese Tunnels
The island's caves and soft coral was tunneled. These fortifications are where Japanese soldiers and civilians hid and fought against the American forces. For many, it was their final resting place when they were killed or committed mass suicide in these subterranean quarters.

Death Valley & Bloody Nose Ridge
The 27th Infantry Division under General Ralph Smith took casualties here. "Bloody Nose Ridge" is in the background.

Japanese Hospital
In recent years, it was renovated and turned into a museum. The hospital goes back before the war and was used to serve both Japanese and islanders. There were very few Japanese military personnel on any of the Mariana Islands until just before the Americans landed. It was mostly a civilian operation - mostly sugar cane cultivation and processing

Camp Susupe
POW camp for Japanese prisoners built by US forces after the landing.

War Dumps
Bruce Petty reports: "There is one very large and several other smaller WWII dump sites on Saipan. Just about everything that was used in the war can be found there."

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Last Updated
May 14, 2011