D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan (Twentieth-Century Battles)

"The narrative moves smoothly and crisply. There is effective treatment of strategy, preparations, and then the invasion and battle for Saipan itself." —Spencer C. Tucker, author of American Revolution 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. "Harold Goldberg's riveting story of this conflict brings the dead back to life by blending rigorous research with dramatic narratives by hundreds of survivors. He has written a superb account of a pivotal, little-known, and heart-breaking battle." —Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (ret.), author of Storm Landings "Using recent interviews he conducted with extant US veterans, [Goldberg] skillfully develops the soldiers' view of the battle for Saipan in an engaging, clearly written and interesting volume." — The Journal of Military History 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 An 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 Tokyo And Every Other Japanese City .--jacket. Introduction -- 1. Admiral King And General Macarthur -- 2. The Target -- 3. Operation Forager -- 4. A Condemned Man's Breakfast -- 5. The 2nd Marine Division Lands -- 6. The 4th Marine Division Lands -- 7. The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot -- 8. The 2nd Marine Division Moves Forward -- 9. The 4th Marine Division Moves Forward -- 10. Marines Under Fire -- 11. The 27th Infantry Division On Southern Saipan -- 12. Into Death Valley -- 13. The Gyokusai -- 14. Suicide Cliff And Banzai Cliff -- 15. T[o, Mac]j[o, Mac] And Tinian -- Conclusion: Appendix A: Holland Smith And The Army -- Appendix B: Coming Home -- Appendix C: Principal Military Units With Commanding Officers. Harold J. Goldberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-265) And Index. An "engaging, clearly written and interesting volume" that "skillfully develops the soldiers' view of the battle for Saipan." ( The Journal of Military History ) 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. "A superb account of a pivotal, little-known, and heart-breaking battle." —Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (ret.) COVER......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 8 ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 10 MAPS......Page 12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 14 INTRODUCTION......Page 20 1. ADMIRAL KING AND GENERAL MACARTHUR......Page 28 2. THE TARGET......Page 48 3. OPERATION FORAGER......Page 58 4. "A CONDEMNED MAN'S BREAKFAST"......Page 71 5. THE 2ND MARINE DIVISION LANDS......Page 80 6. THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION LANDS......Page 93 7. THE GREAT MARIANAS TURKEY SHOOT......Page 109 8. THE 2ND MARINE DIVISION MOVES FORWARD......Page 122 9. THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION MOVES FORWARD......Page 138 10. MARINES UNDER FIRE......Page 150 11. THE 27TH INFANTRY DIVISION ON SOUTHERN SAIPAN......Page 160 12. INTO DEATH VALLEY......Page 173 13. GYOKUSAI......Page 186 14. SUICIDE CLIFF AND BANZAI CLIFF......Page 214 15. TOJO AND TINIAN......Page 224 CONCLUSION......Page 229 APPENDIX A: HOLLAND SMITH AND THE ARMY......Page 234 APPENDIX B: COMING HOME......Page 248 APPENDIX C: PRINCIPAL MILITARY UNITS WITH COMMANDING OFFICERS......Page 261 NOTES......Page 262 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 280 INDEX......Page 286 D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic engagements of World War II. It is the first book on the subject to incorporate views of participants who were on the front line and features previously unpublished interviews, conducted by the author, with nearly 200 veterans of the battle