SAIPAN BATTLE ENDS IN TOTAL DEFEAT OF JAPANESE

From the July 11, 1944 Edition of Stars and Stripes

The battle for Saipan, stepping-stone to Japan and the Philippines, is over. Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced in Pearl Harbor yesterday.

Nimitz’ communique disclosed that organized enemy resistance ended Sunday–24 days after the Americans landed, and that only mopping-up remained. Saipan, most important of the islands in the Marianas group and 1,200 miles southeast of Yokohama is the nearest base to the Jap mainland to come under Allied control.

Guam, Truck Bombed

Meantime, American carrier planes struck Guam, while bombers hit Truk. Tokyo Radio reported that Guam also was shelled by U.S. cruisers.

A Tokyo message quoted by Berlin Radio announced the appointment of a former governor, Kenichi Kumnagai, as commissar of civial air defense, “to try and protect Japan” against further raids by U.S. Super-Fortresses.

“His task is to make use of experience gained in the American raids of June 16 and July 8,” Berlin said. “Still heavier raids are expected.”

For Further Reading Check Out:

Their Backs against the Sea: The Battle of Saipan and the Largest Banzai Attack of World War II

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