[Here is Tinian-based historian Don Farrell’s introduction to the coffee table book I produced during the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Saipan, Tinian in June 2014.]
The Spanish-American War, which partitioned the Marianas between the United States and Germany, and World War I, which gave the Northern Mariana Islands to Japan, brought no bloodshed to the Northern Mariana Islands. World War II, however, was to devastate the islands and change the islanders’ fundamental way of life.
The war came to Guam on December 8, 1941, on the wings of aircraft launched from Saipan. It is not surprising then that Fleet Admiral King felt that the Mariana Islands were “the Key to the Pacific.”
Geographically, they lay at the crossroads of the Western Pacific. All Japanese military goods headed toward their southern bases passed through the Marianas. All the food, oil and other natural resources from their southern colonies passed through the Marianas on their way to the home islands.
To King, capturing the Mariana Islands was necessary to stop Japanese shipping and to provide bases from which the war could be prosecuted.
General Henry “Hap” Arnold, commanding officer of the Army Air Forces, agreed. His new B-29s were rolling off production lines and he wanted to put them to work. If the Navy captured the Marianas, Arnold could put his B-29s there, within direct striking distance of Japan.
The war came to the Marianas on Wednesday afternoon, February 22, 1944. With no warning, hundreds of American Gruman F6F Hellcats came screaming in from the east, bent on ruining their day. Squadron after squadron of fighter planes from a dozen different carriers struck at Pagan, Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam, photographing the islands, destroying defensive installations, airfields and harbors, communications and transportation systems, then “targets of opportunity.” The three day raid essentially ended a way of life for everyone who had come to call the islands home.
Businesses had been bombed and villages strafed, leaving behind dead and wounded of all nationalities. The economy was destroyed.
Back at Pearl Harbor, Spruance studied the photos from the Marianas raid and decided he could take the Marianas by June 15. Nimitz wrote the order.
Between February and June, Spruance amassed the largest armada ever gathered in the Pacific at Majuro Lagoon in the Marshall Islands. Their objective was to capture the Mariana Islands from the well-entrenched Japanese forces. It was also hoped that an invasion of the Marianas might draw out the Japanese fleet for a final, decisive naval engagement. Compared to the Gilberts and the Marshalls, the Marianas were huge, rugged, mountainous islands. It would be a tough nut to crack.
The Campaign for the Marianas, Operation FORAGER, was divided into twolanding groups: Northern and Southern. Southern was Guam. Northern was everything else. Rota would not be captured. Saipan and Tinian would be considered one unit because of their proximity. Of the three, Saipan would be captured first. It was the most strongly defended and was the closest to Japan. Guam would be invaded three days later, June 18. Tinian would follow the capture of Saipan by two weeks.
On June 6, the same day Eisenhower’s troops landed at Normandy, Spruance and the Fifth Fleet steamed out of the Majuro Atoll channel, headed for the Marianas . In all, Spruance commanded a fleet of 535 ships and auxiliaries carrying 127,00 0 troops, 71,000 for Saipan and 56,500 for Guam. U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Holland Smith was given command of all troops. Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher retained command of the fast carrier forces. Planners at Pearl estimated the total Japanese military strength on Saipan at 22,702.
June 11, 1944, was a calm day with clear blue skies. Mitscher arrived and filled the skies with American air power, establishing air superiority the same day. Vice Admiral “Ching” Lee joined the bombardment of Saipan and Tinian on June 13 with his seven new battleships. Then, on June 14, over the horizon came the great battleships Admiral Nagumo had sunk at Pearl Harbor, raised from their muddy resting places, restored and ready to fight again. The fleets’ objective was to level every building that might hide a Japanese sniper. As a result, the villages of Chalan Kanoa and Garapan were destroyed. Word of the American attack on the Marianas quickly made its way to Tokyo. The order was given, “Hold the Marianas.”
Fleet Admiral Toyoda ordered Ozawa’s Mobile Fleet to the Marianas. Although far outnumbered by the American fleet, Ozawa was confident that land-based bombers within range of the battle area would tip the odds in his favor.
The view from Mt. Tapochau must have been awe inspiring on the morning of June 15, 1945. As General Yoshitsugu Saito, the ranking Imperial Army soldier on the island, peered through his binoculars he saw a sheet of steel for as far as he could see in any direction. Off-shore was a line of American troopships, landing craft, auxiliary vessels and 900 amphibious tractors preparing to land some 60,000 Marines on the beaches from Aguiguan Point to Garapan. Saito knew his only hope lay with the Imperial Navy coming to his rescue. In the meantime, his men would fight a war of attrition and kill as many Americans as possible.
At 0542 on June 15, 1944, Admiral Richmond Turner, commander of landing troops, gave the order, “Land the Landing Forces.” Despite intense Japanese defensive fire, 8,000 marines were ashore within 20 minutes along a four-mile front north and south of Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa. The fight was horrific all up and down the beaches as wave after wave of marines from the 2nd and 4th Divisions landed. It was an insane, inhumane scene. But the Marines kept coming.
As the day wore on, some Chamorros and Carolinians began coming through the lines, tired, thirsty, hungry and frightened beyond belief. A few marines were detailed to keep them back on the beach, out of the way, and give them what they needed. The 18th and 121st Naval Construction Battalions, the Seabees, landed with the Marines, in marine uniforms, driving Seabee equipment to open the beachhead, remove mines, string communication lines, establish fuel and water stations, and open roads to the front.
As testament to the fighting spirit of the Japanese defenders of Saipan, of the 20,000 men from the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions who landed on the 15th, ten percent were killed. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo wired Saito on Saipan, encouraging him to defend the island. Saito responded, perhaps cynically: “I have received your honorable Imperial words. By becoming the bulwark of the Pacific, with 10,000 Pacific deaths, we hope to requite the imperial favor.”
On June 16, Admiral Spruance received word that Admiral Ozawa was headed for the Marianas. Realizing that his marines were facing more Japanese forces on Saipan that anticipated, nearly 8,000 more, he decided to land his floating reserve, the 27th Army Infantry Division, immediately. This forced him to postpone the Guam invasion until a new reserve division could arrive from Hawai’i. He ordered Admiral Lee to move his battle fleet, seven new battleships, thirteen cruisers, and twenty-six destroyers, to the southwest, toward the advancing enemy. Then he formed the old battleships into a defensive line some 25 miles to the west of Saipan, just in case Ugaki’s fleet attempted an end run against the landing forces.
Finally, Spruance ordered Mitscher’s carrier task force to refuel and rendezvous with him 120 miles due west of Tinian and prepare to meet Ozawa’s force. While the battle for Saipan raged on, both fleet commanders jockeyed for position. Ozawa launched first at about 0800 on the 19th. By 1000 the US fleet spotted the incoming Japanese planes and an aerial melee began between Hellcats and Zekes about 60 miles in front of Lee’s battle fleet. All day long, both sides dueled it out in the skies over the Philippine Sea, launching and recovering planes.
By noon June 20, Ozawa decided he had had enough and turned the Mobile Fleet for home waters. Mitscher’s aviators caught up with them and launched a late afternoon attack. The Japanese lost 65 more carrier planes. American naval aviators had destroyed 395 of Ozawa’s 430 carrier planes together with 16 of his 43 float planes. Despite the 5th Fleet’s failure to destroy the Japanese Mobile Fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, historian Barrett Tillman contends that “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” in the Battle of the Philippine Sea remains by far the biggest day of aerial combat in American history.”
Spruance returned to Saipan and anchored his flagship, Indianapolis, just off Chalan Kanoa. General Saito and Admiral Nagumo knew then their battle was lost. All they could do was encourage their remaining soldiers and sailors to make the Americans pay in blood for every inch of Saipan soil they gained.
The Japanese held out for nearly three more weeks. The 4th Marine Division fought their way across the island to LauLau Bay. The 2nd Marine Division worked their way north toward Garapan and up the western part of Tapochau. Elements of the 27th Army Infantry Division captured Aslito Airfield, isolating a Japanese stronghold at Naftan Point. By June 22, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the 27th Army Infantry Division had joined up to form a line across the island.
Unfortunately, when the 27th moved into what was to become known as Death Valley they were stopped by heavy Japanese resistance. Irritated, General Holland Smith relieved Major General Ralph Smith from command of the 27th Division and placed Major General Jarman USA, in command. Death Valley and Purple Heart Ridge were not cleared of Japanese until July 2. a testament to the Japanese defenders. The battle between the U.S. Army and Marine Corps commanders over Holland Smith’s action lingers yet today.
Mt. Tapochau was captured on June 25 and by June 26 the 2nd Marine Regiment had advanced halfway through Garapan. The 4th Marine Division moved all the way across Kagman Peninsula. From then on it was a downhill battle, but still against determined Japanese defenders at rugged places like the Pimples, Sugar Loaf Hill, Flame Tree Hill, Limestone Hill and Fourth of July Hill.
At about 3:00 a.m. on July 5, some 3,000 Japanese troops slipped through a gap in the American lines and quickly overran two Army battalions encamped north of Tanapag. Although the Japanese made it to the outskirts of Tanapag Village, the counterattack was crushed by overwhelming Marine Corps firepower. The Tanapag plain was left littered with dead Japanese and American soldiers.
As testament to the fighting spirit of the Japanese defenders of Saipan, of the 20,000 men from the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions who landed on the 15th, ten percent were killed. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo wired Saito on Saipan, encouraging him to defend the island. Saito responded, perhaps cynically: “I have received your honorable Imperial words. By becoming the bulwark of the Pacific, with 10,000 Pacific deaths, we hope to requite the imperial favor.”
On June 16, Admiral Spruance received word that Admiral Ozawa was headed for the Marianas. Realizing that his marines were facing more Japanese forces on Saipan that anticipated, nearly 8,000 more, he decided to land his floating reserve, the 27th Army Infantry Division, immediately. This forced him to postpone the Guam invasion until a new reserve division could arrive from Hawai’i. He ordered Admiral Lee to move his battle fleet, seven new battleships, thirteen cruisers, and twenty-six destroyers, to the southwest, toward the advancing enemy. Then he formed the old battleships into a defensive line some 25 miles to the west of Saipan, just in case Ugaki’s fleet attempted an end run against the landing forces.
Finally, Spruance ordered Mitscher’s carrier task force to refuel and rendezvous with him 120 miles due west of Tinian and prepare to meet Ozawa’s force. While the battle for Saipan raged on, both fleet commanders jockeyed for position. Ozawa launched first at about 0800 on the 19th. By 1000 the US fleet spotted the incoming Japanese planes and an aerial melee began between Hellcats and Zekes about 60 miles in front of Lee’s battle fleet. All day long, both sides dueled it out in the skies over the Philippine Sea, launching and recovering planes.
By noon June 20, Ozawa decided he had had enough and turned the Mobile Fleet for home waters. Mitscher’s aviators caught up with them and launched a late afternoon attack. The Japanese lost 65 more carrier planes. American naval aviators had destroyed 395 of Ozawa’s 430 carrier planes together with 16 of his 43 float planes. Despite the 5th Fleet’s failure to destroy the Japanese Mobile Fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, historian Barrett Tillman contends that “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” in the Battle of the Philippine Sea remains by far the biggest day of aerial combat in American history.”
Spruance returned to Saipan and anchored his flagship, Indianapolis, just off Chalan Kanoa. General Saito and Admiral Nagumo knew then their battle was lost. All they could do was encourage their remaining soldiers and sailors to make the Americans pay in blood for every inch of Saipan soil they gained.
The Japanese held out for nearly three more weeks. The 4th Marine Division fought their way across the island to LauLau Bay. The 2nd Marine Division worked their way north toward Garapan and up the western part of Tapochau. Elements of the 27th Army Infantry Division captured Aslito Airfield, isolating a Japanese stronghold at Naftan Point. By June 22, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the 27th Army Infantry Division had joined up to form a line across the island.
Unfortunately, when the 27th moved into what was to become known as Death Valley they were stopped by heavy Japanese resistance. Irritated, General Holland Smith relieved Major General Ralph Smith from command of the 27th Division and placed Major General Jarman USA, in command. Death Valley and Purple Heart Ridge were not cleared of Japanese until July 2. a testament to the Japanese defenders. The battle between the U.S. Army and Marine Corps commanders over Holland Smith’s action lingers yet today.
Mt. Tapochau was captured on June 25 and by June 26 the 2nd Marine Regiment had advanced halfway through Garapan. The 4th Marine Division moved all the way across Kagman Peninsula. From then on it was a downhill battle, but still against determined Japanese defenders at rugged places like the Pimples, Sugar Loaf Hill, Flame Tree Hill, Limestone Hill and Fourth of July Hill.
At about 3:00 a.m. on July 5, some 3,000 Japanese troops slipped through a gap in the American lines and quickly overran two Army battalions encamped north of Tanapag. Although the Japanese made it to the outskirts of Tanapag Village, the counterattack was crushed by overwhelming Marine Corps firepower. The Tanapag plain was left littered with dead Japanese and American soldiers.
Saipan was finally declared secured on July 9, 1945, but not before the Americans were forced to watch a tragedy they could not comprehend. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Japanese and Okinawan civilians committed suicide by jumping off Suicide Cliff or Banzai cliff in Marpi rather than be captured.
With Saipan secured, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions were given two weeks to rest, recuperate and prepare for the capture of Tinian. At the same time, construction began on temporary housing for the thousands of refugees held in stockades on Saipan. Many civilians had died during the fighting. Many more were wounded or sick. Children had been orphaned. Although Civil Affairs gave them what food, water and medical attention were available, many more would die before sanitary accomodations could be constructed for the thousands of Chamorro, Carolinian, Japanese, Korean and Okinawan civilians who had survived the battle for Saipan.
The battle for Tinian was ingeniously planned by the marines, sailors and seabees. On July 23, the 2nd Marine Division loaded into troopships on Saipan. That night they slowly cruised from Tanapag Harbor to Tinian Harbor. At dawn, they boarded their landing craft, formed into lines and began moving toward the landing beach. The Japanese, true to past actions, moved all their troops south to meet the marines at the beach. Meanwhile, the 4th Marine Division boarded their landing craft in Saipan lagoon and scooted across the channel to two small beaches on the northwest corner of the island called White 1 and White II. The feint in the south, allowed the marines to land almost unopposed.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Marine Division turned around, reboarded their ships, then headed north and landed at the White beaches behind the 4th Marine Division. General Holland Smith called it a “perfect amphibious invasion.” After that, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions formed a line across the island and doggedly moved south until the island was declared secured on August 1, 1945. Rota and Aguiguan, and the islands north of Saipan were not captured. No food, clothing, or medical supplies would arrive on these bypassed islands for another year. The Japanese, Okinawans, Koreans, Chamorros and Carolinians who were trapped there suffered isolation, starvation, illness, and continued American bombardment for the rest of the war.
Construction of airfields and harbor facilities on Saipan and Tinian had begun even before the islands were declared secured. Although the 18th and 121st Seabees had landed on Saipan and had done some work on Aslito Airfield, renamed Isley Field, the real construction there began when the 804th Army Air Engineering Battalion arrived on June 20, 1944. Within 24 hours, a P-47 Thunderbolt from the Seventh Fighter Command landed from the “Jeep Carrier” Natoma Bay. Working long days, the army engineers and navy Seabees had Isley Field ready to receive its first B-29 Superfortress, “Joltin Josie, the Pacific Pioneer,” on Saipan on October 12, 1944, with Brigadier General Haywood S. Hansell, the first commanding officer of the new 21st Bomber Command, at the wheel.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1944, Brigadier General Emmett “Rosie” O’Donnell, commanding officer of the 73rd Bombardment Wing, led 111 B-29s on the wing’s first mission to Tokyo.
As with Aslito Airfield on Saipan, reconstruction of Tinian’s Hagoi Airfield began as the battle raged. Under Officer in Charge, 6th Naval Construction Battalion, Captain James P. Halloran, C-47s began landing at North Field within two days. The 6th Brigade eventually included 13 naval construction battalions with some 12,500 construction workers. They had North Field ready to receive the 313th Bombardment Wing, commanded by Brigadier General James H. Davies, on December 21, 1944. The 313th flew its first mission against the Japanese home islands early in February 1945.
In an attempt to force the Japanese to surrender before invasion became necessary, Admiral Nimitz initiated Operation STARVATION. At Nimitz’s request LeMay assigned the 313th Bombardment Wing to the task. Beginning on March 27, 1945, Operation Starvation sank or damaged 670 ships totaling more than 1,250,000 tons, more ship tonnage in the last six months of the war than the efforts of all other sources combined. Unknown to all but a handful of men in the Pacific, a secret unit had arrived with a different plan for ending the war before invasion became necessary.
In February 1945, Commander Frederick Ashworth identified Tinian to be home for the 509th Composite Bombardment Group and Project Alberta, a small group of men specially trained in assembling atomic bombs. On August 6, 1945, the B-29 Enola Gay left Runway Able, North Field, Tinian, carrying the world’s first uranium bomb, Little Boy. Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., commanded the aircraft; Captain William S. Parsons, USN, managed the bomb. They dropped it over Hiroshima, Japan, at 8:15 a.m. that morning.
With no surrender statement from Japan, on August 9 Major Charles Sweeney lifted off in Bockscar with Commander Frederick Ashworth monitoring the plutonium bomb Fat Man. Facing bad weather and mechanical problems, they bypassed their primary target, Kokura, and dropped the bomb on their secondary target, Nagasaki. With Russia entering the war against Japan the same day, the Japanese made offer to surrender the next day. Negotiations lasted until the 15th when emperor Hirohito announced his decision to accept the Potsdam ultimatum.
The terms of surrender were signed on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, on September 2, 1945. The war was over. Demobi l i zation took time. Nearly a thousand B-29s left Saipan and Tinian, winging their way to bases elsewhere. The thousands of Americans stationed on Tinian and Saipan boarded ships for the long ride to San Francisco. The Japanese, Okinawan and Korean refugees were loaded on to transport ships that took them home.
On July 4, 1946, the gates to Camp Chalan Kanoa on Saipan were finally opened and the Chamorros and Carolinians who had been held there since 1944 were free to build new lives for themselves.
It was not easy. The people had to adjust to a new way of life. The face of the islands had changed. Many of their farms and village areas had been paved over to accommodate military facilities. The sugar industry was gone and there was no industry to replace it. By 1947, only a handful of administrators were left and there was no economy to support the Carolinians and Chamorros.
As World War II evolved into the Cold War, Saipan and Tinian were closed to the outside world, isolated from commercial development.
Although the naval civil administration provided some jobs and a small market, many people were forced back into subsistence living, gathering or growing what they needed to feed their families. Ironically, the Vietnam War accelerated political development in the Northern Marianas and led to the creation of the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The American-Japanese alliance forged after World War II has proven strong.
Today, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese visitors provide for a bustling economy in the islands, our people live in peace, and we all pray there will never be another war to ruin it.
