About SaipanSaipan was fisrt discovered by Ferdinand Magellan. After Spanish-American War, Germany took this island for helping U.S. After World War I, Japan claimed this island and Germany could not say something and this was recognised by the League of Nations. Saipan was under control of Japan from 1920 and about 30,000 Japanese soldiers were standing guard.
(Picture of sank Assault Amphibious Vehicle in Saipan) |
Advancing ArmyU.S General Holland M. Smith planned to take the island within 3 days. More than 2,000 soldiers were able to cross the shore front but 2,000 soldiers sacrificed their lives. Japanese retreated to the highest point of the island, Mt. Tapotchau. General Smith ordered his troops to go to more exposed valley. Although the defence line was strong, U.S marines were able to go through island’s most intense defence line.
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Japanese retreated to Northern part of the island. Japanese General Yoshitsugu Saito was expecting imperial navy to come and help to defend the island but navy has lost in the Battle of the Philippines Sea. He realise that there is no aid and he ordered his soldiers to have last attack, Banzai Charge (suicide mission).
Aftermath.. |
Effects and results
In total, 3,000 U.S soldiers died on this three weeks battle and more than 13,000 soldiers were wounded. 27,000 Japanese soldiers were killed. At the end of the battle when United States declared victory, citizens of Saipan were taught that American will kill them so they suicide. Hideki Tojo, Prime Minister of Japan at that time before said that island will stay as Japanese territory forever but after they lost the island, he and his entire cabinet had no choice but to resign from their position.