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Marines in World War II - Saipan: The Beginning of the End [Illustrated Edition]
On the outcome of the Battle of Saipan hung the fate of the Pacific War, if the Japanese were to lost this island then the Home Islands would finally be in range of serious American bombing. As the fanatical resistance of the Japanese was raised to fever pitch by the exhortations of the high command, whilst the Marines who had learnt hard lessons on assault landings knew that the capture of Saipan could shorten the war immeasurably; so was set one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Pacific Campaign. The Japanese fought with insane courage, leading to massed banzai charges and civilian suicides; matches by the gritty determination of the experienced Marines to conquer.
Contains 103 photos and 24 maps and charts.
“SAIPAN was one of the key operations in the Pacific War; key because it unlocked vast potentialities to the United States in projecting its might against the Japanese homeland; key because it opened the door of distance which had meant security to the Empire. Invasion of Saipan provided the supreme challenge in which the enemy was forced to select one of two alternatives: conserve his naval resources for a later decision, leaving uncontested this penetration of his inner defense; or lash out in a vicious, showdown fight. The fact that he chose the latter course, and suffered a resounding defeat, is now history.
The conquest of Saipan was, among Pacific operations up to that time, the most clear-cut decisive triumph of combined arms of the United States over the Japanese. By June 1944, U. S. forces, long superior in quality of personnel and organization, were finally greatly superior in materiel with which to fight. Victory at Saipan made this apparent to all.”-C. B. CATES, GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS., COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.
Contains 103 photos and 24 maps and charts.
“SAIPAN was one of the key operations in the Pacific War; key because it unlocked vast potentialities to the United States in projecting its might against the Japanese homeland; key because it opened the door of distance which had meant security to the Empire. Invasion of Saipan provided the supreme challenge in which the enemy was forced to select one of two alternatives: conserve his naval resources for a later decision, leaving uncontested this penetration of his inner defense; or lash out in a vicious, showdown fight. The fact that he chose the latter course, and suffered a resounding defeat, is now history.
The conquest of Saipan was, among Pacific operations up to that time, the most clear-cut decisive triumph of combined arms of the United States over the Japanese. By June 1944, U. S. forces, long superior in quality of personnel and organization, were finally greatly superior in materiel with which to fight. Victory at Saipan made this apparent to all.”-C. B. CATES, GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS., COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.
- GenresHistory
617 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 1, 2019
Bird's eye view of the battle
The author gives intimate detail of the flow of the battle with welcome insights from participants' battle reports. Before reading, the reader should arm him/ herself with sundry maps so they can follow along as the various battles and skirmishes unfold.
The author gives intimate detail of the flow of the battle with welcome insights from participants' battle reports. Before reading, the reader should arm him/ herself with sundry maps so they can follow along as the various battles and skirmishes unfold.
March 18, 2015
good, solid story of battle for Saipan
I have been to Saipan, climbed in the caves with Japanese bodies still there. I have met and known Islanders and US Marines who were there. This is an excellent book for someone interested in what this battle was really like.
I have been to Saipan, climbed in the caves with Japanese bodies still there. I have met and known Islanders and US Marines who were there. This is an excellent book for someone interested in what this battle was really like.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews