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Twentieth-Century Battles
D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan
In June 1944 the attention of the nation was riveted on events unfolding in France. But in the Pacific, the Battle of Saipan was of extreme strategic importance. This is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic engagements of World War II. The conquest of Saipan and the neighboring island of Tinian was a turning point in the war in the Pacific as it made the American victory against Japan inevitable. Until this battle, the Japanese continued to believe that success in the war remained possible. While Japan had suffered serious setbacks as early as the Battle of Midway in 1942, Saipan was part of her inner defense line, so victory was essential. The American victory at Saipan forced Japan to begin considering the reality of defeat. For the Americans, the capture of Saipan meant secure air bases for the new B-29s that were now within striking distance of all Japanese cities, including Tokyo.
276 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 23, 2022
June 23, 2022
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the D-Day in the Pacific (The Battle of Saipan) by Harold J. Goldberg.
The invasion of Saipan came subsequent to the invasions of both Tarawa and Guadalcanal both in the Solomon Islands. Both were bloody battles for the marines. The US Navy also fought a major naval battle against the Japanese Navy this too was a significant win for the US Navy (The Battle of The Coral Sea). The next objective was the Marianna Islands, specifically Saipan. This was the Navy’s preferred route to Japan, Douglas MacArthur, however objected to this because it by passed the Philippine Islands. MacArthur had promised the Philippine people he would return to liberate them, after he was evacuated from Corregidor on orders from the War Department. Both routes were possibilities to isolate Japan for an US invasion. MacArthur was more persuasive on this matter than Admiral King. Subsequent analysis determined that both were feasible and accomplishable.
Saipan was determined to be as bloody if not more so than the Islands in the Solomon group. The terrain was more complex, and the number of Japanese troops were in excess of 30,000 men. The US had marshalled about 110,000 men, both Army and Navy and believed by the US Navy to be an easy and quick conquest. The date for the invasion (D-Day in the Pacific) was set at June 15, 1944 and was very close to June 6th D-day in Europe.
The Japanese fought an offensive strategy from the outset and consequently sealed their fate for loss. There were many Bonsai attacks and an ultimate Bonsai attack consisting of over 3,000 Japanese soldiers and resulted in many thousands of casualties for the US Marines and the US Army.
The Army’s participation resulted in a “personal” negative perception by the Marine Lt. General in charge, keeping in mind that this was a Navy operation. It resulted in the USMC general dismissing the Army general for his failure to “follow orders”. It was one of the very few inter-service conflicts during WW II. There were no winners among the conflicted Generals and both were assigned to other duties. The Marine Corp. general was discipline more than the Army. It was a media embarrassment for both services.
Another Island next door to Saipan was the island of Tinian which was a strategic win for the US and allowed the launching of the new B-29 airplanes to bomb the Japanese mainland, including the two Atomic Bombs forcing the surrender of Japan.
This book was a biographical work about the battle for Saipan with a lot of analysis of both the actual combat, interservice conflicts and the great number of casualties which surpassed those of bloody Tarawa. I purchased the book in the Kindle format from Amazon and I rated this book with five stars. It was an excellent accounting of a significant military battle.
I highly recommend this book to any “war” reader especially of the Pacific Theater, where my Father served in the US Navy during the war.
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the D-Day in the Pacific (The Battle of Saipan) by Harold J. Goldberg.
The invasion of Saipan came subsequent to the invasions of both Tarawa and Guadalcanal both in the Solomon Islands. Both were bloody battles for the marines. The US Navy also fought a major naval battle against the Japanese Navy this too was a significant win for the US Navy (The Battle of The Coral Sea). The next objective was the Marianna Islands, specifically Saipan. This was the Navy’s preferred route to Japan, Douglas MacArthur, however objected to this because it by passed the Philippine Islands. MacArthur had promised the Philippine people he would return to liberate them, after he was evacuated from Corregidor on orders from the War Department. Both routes were possibilities to isolate Japan for an US invasion. MacArthur was more persuasive on this matter than Admiral King. Subsequent analysis determined that both were feasible and accomplishable.
Saipan was determined to be as bloody if not more so than the Islands in the Solomon group. The terrain was more complex, and the number of Japanese troops were in excess of 30,000 men. The US had marshalled about 110,000 men, both Army and Navy and believed by the US Navy to be an easy and quick conquest. The date for the invasion (D-Day in the Pacific) was set at June 15, 1944 and was very close to June 6th D-day in Europe.
The Japanese fought an offensive strategy from the outset and consequently sealed their fate for loss. There were many Bonsai attacks and an ultimate Bonsai attack consisting of over 3,000 Japanese soldiers and resulted in many thousands of casualties for the US Marines and the US Army.
The Army’s participation resulted in a “personal” negative perception by the Marine Lt. General in charge, keeping in mind that this was a Navy operation. It resulted in the USMC general dismissing the Army general for his failure to “follow orders”. It was one of the very few inter-service conflicts during WW II. There were no winners among the conflicted Generals and both were assigned to other duties. The Marine Corp. general was discipline more than the Army. It was a media embarrassment for both services.
Another Island next door to Saipan was the island of Tinian which was a strategic win for the US and allowed the launching of the new B-29 airplanes to bomb the Japanese mainland, including the two Atomic Bombs forcing the surrender of Japan.
This book was a biographical work about the battle for Saipan with a lot of analysis of both the actual combat, interservice conflicts and the great number of casualties which surpassed those of bloody Tarawa. I purchased the book in the Kindle format from Amazon and I rated this book with five stars. It was an excellent accounting of a significant military battle.
I highly recommend this book to any “war” reader especially of the Pacific Theater, where my Father served in the US Navy during the war.
February 4, 2011
Goldberg, Harold J. D-Day in the Pacific: the Battle of Saipan. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2007. $29.95
The version of the battle of Saipan that Dr. Harold Dr. Goldberg portrays is one that cannot be easily forgotten and stands as one of the very few, arguably the best, comprehensive study of the Battle of Saipan. Harold Dr. Goldberg teaches at Sewanee: University of the South and according to their official website, he teaches specific courses that focus on Russia and the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam War, World War II, and the History of Socialism. Dr. Goldberg is well versed in all sides of the Saipan conflict and is definitely an expert on the topic. The focus of this book is to give a unique look into the Battle of Saipan. Dr. Dr. Goldberg has, through the use of an extensive bibliography, given an extraordinarily capacious and all-encompassing look at the Battle of Saipan from the American viewpoint; while still giving the Japanese strategy, tactics, and logistics a voice; while still being able to show the brutality that befell the men who landed and fought on the island. Saipan is a battle often overlooked in the grand American history of World War II in the Pacific. It falls short behind many other Pacific battles: Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Midway. Dr. Goldberg has shown that this is not the case and Saipan should be seen historically, as just as important. What Dr. Goldberg is really trying to show is the irony in World War II on the American side, that even though the Pacific and the Japanese is what brought the United States into the war, “the resources of the U.S. government and the focus of the American people remained centered on Europe throughout the war.” The focus of the American newspapers and public was on the D-Day landing in France. He wants to shift this focus as he likens the battle for Saipan, as his title states, D-Day in the Pacific to the Normandy invasion and through this book has shown that it is well-founded in the significance of what history says and what he has written.
Dr. Goldberg mentions many problems that arise on both sides. One of the main issues that Dr. Goldberg focuses on is the relationship or lack there-of between American leaders, General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Ernest King. The problem here is it splits American resources because the two leaders had two different approaches toward the war in the Pacific theater. Along those same lines Goldberg discusses the arguments between Spruance and Mitscher on strategic planning which was on a smaller scale but nonetheless a problem. Dr. Goldberg also explains the problem that some of the reconnaissance done by the Americans was incorrect or had changed. He mentions the fact that when the divers went in and placed flags on the beach to give the soldiers markings to shoot for when landing, it made the landings more treacherous for the Americans because it gave the Japanese markers to shoot at from their deeply entrenched defensive positions. Another problem that faced the American military force was logistical issues. “The invasion of the Marianas involved moving the attack fleet three thousand miles from Hawaii,” there would be no bases in the vicinity and the forces would be charged to bring everything they needed with them. Dr. Goldberg mentions in his conclusion that,
Having learned lessons from previous amphibious landings, the United States greatly improved it planning and implementation in the Marianas in several areas: better use of intelligence gathering, including both photo and underwater reconnaissance; improved knowledge of reef configuration and tides; increased quality and quantity of landing vehicles; use of submarines to interdict enemy reinforcements; and deployment of Task Force 58 to destroy Japanese land based planes before battle.
Logistics is obviously a large part of any battle plan but in this case it shows a very important part of American development that Dr. Goldberg indicates very thoroughly. This is a key theme throughout as well as Saipan is a melting pot for American development all through the war coming to fruition.
Then there is the issue of morale, which is always an issue when dealing with war. How exactly did they keep morale high going into this battle when many of the soldiers knew that they could be killed at any moment? Not an easy task and achieving a victory would require soldiers to perform their duty. Dr. Goldberg mentions foods, joking, veteran soldiers, and new recruits. All of these play pivotal roles in the morale boosting or dropping. This moment of the war would show just how strong the industrial United States can be as it. “This display of American strength, with two nearly simultaneous D-Day invasions, established the United States as the world’s most formidable military power. The 6th and 15th of June 1944 demonstrated America’s ability to project a global military presence.” This is obviously a key point that Dr. Goldberg is attempting to establish here. He is saying that this might be one of if not the first moment of World War II where the Americans establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Right away at the beginning of the book Dr. Goldberg indicates the Japanese loyalty and willingness to die in large numbers for their country, or even their blatant disregard for their lives. Throughout the book this is made very clear through multiple examples that Dr. Goldberg gives. He says, “For Japanese soldiers and civilians, devotion to Japan’s Asiatic mission and to the emperor remained primary, and many considered it their duty to die for these causes.” He finished by stating, “When faced with likely defeat or the prospect of surrender, most Japanese soldiers chose death.” What did the Americans achieve by this victory? “Disrupted Japanese shipping, communications, and supply lines; won a major sea battle; and captured essential forward air bases for the future bombing of Japan.” Essential to the war effort in the Pacific, air bases and logistical strongholds promoted movement towards ending the war and reaching the Japanese home islands.
Dr. Goldberg has given his readers an easy to read examination of the battle of Saipan during World War II in the Pacific Theater. This examination is trying to show that the D-Day landing at Saipan was no different than the one performed in the Pacific and that it could even be considered deadlier and more difficult. The main outcome of the battle of Saipan is that “until that moment, the Japanese government continued to believe that success, or at least an honorable settlement…remained possible.” After this battle the Japanese lost hope and the even though mass groups of the Japanese would commit suicide or refuse to quit fighting, the realization that the war was lost had finally hit them and the end was near. Dr. Goldberg succeeds in proving that the battle of Saipan is indeed, D-Day in the Pacific as Normandy was D-Day in Europe.
The version of the battle of Saipan that Dr. Harold Dr. Goldberg portrays is one that cannot be easily forgotten and stands as one of the very few, arguably the best, comprehensive study of the Battle of Saipan. Harold Dr. Goldberg teaches at Sewanee: University of the South and according to their official website, he teaches specific courses that focus on Russia and the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam War, World War II, and the History of Socialism. Dr. Goldberg is well versed in all sides of the Saipan conflict and is definitely an expert on the topic. The focus of this book is to give a unique look into the Battle of Saipan. Dr. Dr. Goldberg has, through the use of an extensive bibliography, given an extraordinarily capacious and all-encompassing look at the Battle of Saipan from the American viewpoint; while still giving the Japanese strategy, tactics, and logistics a voice; while still being able to show the brutality that befell the men who landed and fought on the island. Saipan is a battle often overlooked in the grand American history of World War II in the Pacific. It falls short behind many other Pacific battles: Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Midway. Dr. Goldberg has shown that this is not the case and Saipan should be seen historically, as just as important. What Dr. Goldberg is really trying to show is the irony in World War II on the American side, that even though the Pacific and the Japanese is what brought the United States into the war, “the resources of the U.S. government and the focus of the American people remained centered on Europe throughout the war.” The focus of the American newspapers and public was on the D-Day landing in France. He wants to shift this focus as he likens the battle for Saipan, as his title states, D-Day in the Pacific to the Normandy invasion and through this book has shown that it is well-founded in the significance of what history says and what he has written.
Dr. Goldberg mentions many problems that arise on both sides. One of the main issues that Dr. Goldberg focuses on is the relationship or lack there-of between American leaders, General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Ernest King. The problem here is it splits American resources because the two leaders had two different approaches toward the war in the Pacific theater. Along those same lines Goldberg discusses the arguments between Spruance and Mitscher on strategic planning which was on a smaller scale but nonetheless a problem. Dr. Goldberg also explains the problem that some of the reconnaissance done by the Americans was incorrect or had changed. He mentions the fact that when the divers went in and placed flags on the beach to give the soldiers markings to shoot for when landing, it made the landings more treacherous for the Americans because it gave the Japanese markers to shoot at from their deeply entrenched defensive positions. Another problem that faced the American military force was logistical issues. “The invasion of the Marianas involved moving the attack fleet three thousand miles from Hawaii,” there would be no bases in the vicinity and the forces would be charged to bring everything they needed with them. Dr. Goldberg mentions in his conclusion that,
Having learned lessons from previous amphibious landings, the United States greatly improved it planning and implementation in the Marianas in several areas: better use of intelligence gathering, including both photo and underwater reconnaissance; improved knowledge of reef configuration and tides; increased quality and quantity of landing vehicles; use of submarines to interdict enemy reinforcements; and deployment of Task Force 58 to destroy Japanese land based planes before battle.
Logistics is obviously a large part of any battle plan but in this case it shows a very important part of American development that Dr. Goldberg indicates very thoroughly. This is a key theme throughout as well as Saipan is a melting pot for American development all through the war coming to fruition.
Then there is the issue of morale, which is always an issue when dealing with war. How exactly did they keep morale high going into this battle when many of the soldiers knew that they could be killed at any moment? Not an easy task and achieving a victory would require soldiers to perform their duty. Dr. Goldberg mentions foods, joking, veteran soldiers, and new recruits. All of these play pivotal roles in the morale boosting or dropping. This moment of the war would show just how strong the industrial United States can be as it. “This display of American strength, with two nearly simultaneous D-Day invasions, established the United States as the world’s most formidable military power. The 6th and 15th of June 1944 demonstrated America’s ability to project a global military presence.” This is obviously a key point that Dr. Goldberg is attempting to establish here. He is saying that this might be one of if not the first moment of World War II where the Americans establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Right away at the beginning of the book Dr. Goldberg indicates the Japanese loyalty and willingness to die in large numbers for their country, or even their blatant disregard for their lives. Throughout the book this is made very clear through multiple examples that Dr. Goldberg gives. He says, “For Japanese soldiers and civilians, devotion to Japan’s Asiatic mission and to the emperor remained primary, and many considered it their duty to die for these causes.” He finished by stating, “When faced with likely defeat or the prospect of surrender, most Japanese soldiers chose death.” What did the Americans achieve by this victory? “Disrupted Japanese shipping, communications, and supply lines; won a major sea battle; and captured essential forward air bases for the future bombing of Japan.” Essential to the war effort in the Pacific, air bases and logistical strongholds promoted movement towards ending the war and reaching the Japanese home islands.
Dr. Goldberg has given his readers an easy to read examination of the battle of Saipan during World War II in the Pacific Theater. This examination is trying to show that the D-Day landing at Saipan was no different than the one performed in the Pacific and that it could even be considered deadlier and more difficult. The main outcome of the battle of Saipan is that “until that moment, the Japanese government continued to believe that success, or at least an honorable settlement…remained possible.” After this battle the Japanese lost hope and the even though mass groups of the Japanese would commit suicide or refuse to quit fighting, the realization that the war was lost had finally hit them and the end was near. Dr. Goldberg succeeds in proving that the battle of Saipan is indeed, D-Day in the Pacific as Normandy was D-Day in Europe.
August 9, 2023
I've been listening to this with my Dad as I drive him to various appointments. The history is good and we see how interservice rivalries caused breakdowns in communications. The nice part is while my dad joined the corp later then WWII it got him talking about things. Neither of us are talkers so this helped getting things going. If you want a book written by a historian this is very readable.
February 2, 2025
Excellent account of this important battle. Learned a lot about Japanese failed strategies, egos of leaders, conflict between the army and the marines, 2prong invasion, Japanese final push, high casualties, jungle warfare, the navy etc.
Wish there were more maps and lots more pictures.
Wish there were more maps and lots more pictures.
November 30, 2018
Entertaining and informative. Could not ask for a better book on a battle.
January 21, 2015
Interesting book; more of an overview - too short to really go into depth. The author focused on the rivalry between the Marnes ("Howlin' Mad" Smith) and the army (Ralph Smith) and clearly favored Ralph Smith. (And rightfully so! The appendix explained why through examination of the evidence and facts regarding the issue.) There were many vignettes about individual soldiers. We owe our WWII vets so much because they went through absolute hell...and many of them were teenagers. The book also gave a clear depiction of the Japanese determination and refusal to surrender. I can't imagine doing what the people on either side did during the war in the Pacific.
April 30, 2009
Excited to read another WWII book on Saipan. My great-uncle was killed during the banzai attack in the Battle of Saipan on July 7, 1944 and so there is great interest in the details of the battle. Plus, we are moving to Saipan for 4 years this in July.
December 6, 2011
This was an interesting look at one of the pivotal battles of World War II in the Pacific. The battle of Saipan was the first move against the inner defenses of Japan. This book gave a good overview mixed with personal accounts. Its a good read if you want to know more about the Pacific theater.
October 7, 2019
The part of this book I like best is the last chapter called, "Coming Home" in which the author shares some of the stories of returning veterans told in their own words. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WWII history, especially the Pacific Theatre.
December 13, 2008
Good book on the Battle of Saipan. This is very critical on Marine General Holland Smith.
August 20, 2010
Every once in a while I have to get my WWII fix. This one did the job. I know know much more about the battle of Saipan, for whatever that's worth!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews