The Battle of Saipan was the first move in Operation Forager, the capture of the Mariana Islands.
If Saipan could be taken, the strategic bombing of Japan could commence.
The U.S.M.C.s 2ndand 4thdivisions, along with the U.S. Armys 27 Infantry division, were detailed to take Saipan.
A U.S.M.C. Bazooka team poses with a knocked-out Japanese Type 95. The M1 Bazooka proved effective against Japanese tanks. Both men carry extra rockets in cardboard shipping tubes. Image: NARA
Waiting for the 71,000+ assault troops were more than 25,000 troops of the Japanese Imperial Armys 43rdInfantry Division.
Saipans limestone caves and deep ravines made the island well-suited for the defenders.
What followed was an incredible struggle between men and machines that will live forever in the annals of U.S.M.C.
A Japanese Type 97 medium tank (foreground) and a Type 95 light tank seen after the largest tank battle of the Pacific War. Both vehicles have multiple penetrations from anti-tank weapons. Image: NARA
The Japanese Tanks
Japanese tanks are some of the least studied armored vehicles of World War II.
punch in 95 Ha-Go Light Tank:Japans first modern battle tank, in service from 1936.
The throw in 95 featured a three-man crew, with a 37mm in a small (one-man) turret.
A Type 95 Ha-Go light tank on display at the old U.S. Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Image: Author’s photo
Armor protection was just 12mm maximum.
Armor protection was 25mm maximum.
This was Japans most produced tank in WWII.
The Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tank weighed a little more than 8 tons and was armed with a 37mm Type 94 (1934) tank gun and two Type 97 heavy tank machine guns. Image: NARA
The Shinhoto Chi-Ha was the most potent of all Japanese tanks used in combat during WWII.
A small amount of these tanks operated with the 9thTank Regiment on Saipan.
Major Carl W. Hoffmans U.S.M.C.
The initial version of the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank. The Chi-Ha carried a Type 97 57mm tank gun — a low-velocity weapon normally intended for infantry support. Image: NARA
The Marines new anti-tank rocket launcher, the 2.36-inch bazookas, immediately proved their worth.
General Saitos Armored Thrust
Destroy the enemy, during the night, at the waters edge.
A strong collection of tanks would provide an armored spearhead.
The improved Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha medium tank used a high-velocity Type 1 47mm tank gun. The Shinhoto Chi-Ha was the most powerful Japanese tank of the Pacific War. Image: NARA
Marine anti-tank units were briefed and ready.
The tanks advanced in groups of four or five with Japanese soldiers clinging to them.
From a psychological point of view, a daylight attack would have been more frightening to the Marines.
The Imperial Japanese Navy’s Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank was designed to support marine force operations. It is shown here with the bow and stern pontoons attached. Image: NARA
No one had reason to suspect the presence of more than a dozen.
But one dozen or three, the Marines did not budge from their foxholes.
The rest were clumped in small groups among the vehicles.
Without the pontoons, the Type-2 Ka-Mi is more recognizable as a tank. It was considered an excellentamphibioustank, though substandard as an actual fighting vehicle on the land. Image: NARA
Marine machine guns and M1 rifles tore into these groups, while mortar shells exploded among them.
The 75mm pack howitzers of the 10thMarines blasted the massed Japanese force with continuous volleys of direct fire.
The 75mm howitzers fired more 800 rounds in the engagement.
This U.S. Marine Corps Bazooka team was credited with four Japanese tank kills during the Battle of Saipan. Image: NARA
One battery of 105mm howitzers of the 10thMarines fired all of its available ammunition at the jumbled Japanese force.
Marine anti-tank gunners had fleeting glimpses of Japanese tanks rumbling about in the dark.
At 0345, the first wave of tanks began to enter the B Company sector.
A rear view of a headless Type 95 tank on Saipan. The bamboo poles were part of a crude framework erected on some of the tanks to provide hand-holds for the accompanying infantry. Image: NARA
The battle evolved itself into a madhouse of noise, tracers and flashing lights.
Some were being led by a crew member afoot.
Some even had machine guns or grenade throwers set up on the tank.
Although obsolete in the European Theater, the U.S. 37mm gun M3 remained in service throughout the Pacific War. The M3 could penetrate any Japanese tank’s armor at normal combat ranges. Image: NARA
Those following afoot were badly cut up.
The Japanese tanks appeared confused.
The right gun jammed but the squad held its position with the bazooka and other weapons.
The U.S.M.C. M3 Gun Motor Carriage, carrying the 75mm M1897M4 gun, proved effective against Japanese tanks on Saipan. Image: NARA
They had rough, slow going over soft ground and several lines of irrigation ditches.
The last Jap tank was spotted as it climbed the winding road to Hill 790.
Its turret could be seen among a small group of buildings on top of the hill.
The U.S.M.C. M4A2 Sherman tanks were far superior to any armored vehicle the Japanese fielded. At short range, AP rounds whistled through the thin Japanese armor, making HE preferred. Image: NARA
The Naval Gunfire officer quickly adjusted and fired twenty salvos on this target.
The tank sent up an oily smoke and burned the rest of the day.
Marine machine gunners ignored the tanks and worked overtime to strip away the Japanese infantry.
The Browning guns of Company F, 2ndMarines, fired more than 10,000 rounds of .30 caliber ammunition themselves.
All that really mattered to the Marines was that the Japanese tanks were stopped dead in their tracks.
The important thing is that the means available were adequate for the task.
The 1stBattalion, 6thMarines suffered 78 casualties, while Company F of the 2ndMarines had 19.
At the end of long, difficult night, the final result was quite telling.
Japan pitted their armor against U.S.M.C.
flesh and bone and determination, and came up far short of their goal.
By July 9th, Saipan was in American hands.
