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 Approx. 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, Suicide
Cliff, and Banzai
Cliff. Lt. General Saito and Navy Admiral Nagumo committed heri-kari
in a cave on July 9, 1944, the day the island was declared officially
secured by the US forces.
Garapan
Largest city on Saipan.
Japanese Type 88 75mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Located behind the Bank of Hawaii building.
Tanapag
Harbor
Saipan's Harbor, located on the west coast of the island.
Torri
Gate & Shinto Shrine
Torri Gate and Japanese
Shinto shrine that survived the war.
Banadero
(Last Japanese Command Post)
The Last Command Post is in a cave just below
high cliffs. General Yoshitsugo Saito ordered his
men to take seven lives for the emperor, then committed
harakiri. Today, there is a memorial and several relics including a Type 95 Ha Go and guns. The Okinawa Peace Memorial is nearby.
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
Laderan Banadero (Suicide Cliff)
Just above the Okinawa Peace Memorial is Suicide Cliff.
From this 800 foot all cliff, hundreds of Japanese soldiers jumped
250 meters to their deaths rather than surrender.
Puntan Sabaneta (Banzai Cliff) & Million
Dollar Hole
Bluff overlooking the ocean, where Japanese civilians committed
suicide. just north of Suicide Cliff. Encouraged by Japanese
troops, and told that they would be killed and raped by the Americans,
women and children plunged to their death in sight of American soldiers
who pleaded with them in Japanese not to jump. After the war surplus
equipment was dumped off Banzai Cliff rather than ship it home. Divers
have termed the place 'Million Dollar Hole'. Today there is a memorial
and park 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.
Mount Tapachau
The highest point on the island reaching to 1,500' elevation.
The 29th Marines were credited with taking and holding it in June 1944.
B-29 Serial
Number ?
