THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406140369
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WILLIAM R. HAWKINS
DATELINE: 940615 LENGTH: Medium
\ On June 15, 1944 - 50 years ago today - the 2nd and 4th Marine divisions, with air support from escort carriers and gunfire support from battleships, cruisers and destroyers, landed along 4 miles of beach on Saipan's west coast.
{REST} In defense was the Japanese 43rd Division with its artillery carefully emplaced on the high ground in the center of the island. The Japanese had anticipated the landing and had range markers set in the surf to guide their heavy fire.
Shells rained down among the 600 Amphtracs churning toward the shore. A number were hit, but within 20 minutes 8,000 Marines had landed, and by afternoon, 20,000 would be ashore. But the enemy guns had been accurate, and resistance had been stubborn.
By evening the 2nd Marine Division had nearly 600 men dead and more than 1,000 more wounded. 4th Marine Division casualties were almost as heavy.
The Japanese prevented any deep penetration and during the night launched a counterattack led by tanks. But as they massed for the assault, star shells burst above them, turning the night into day. The Marines opened up with everything they had, and they had plenty. As the enemy fell back, artillery and naval gunfire chased them on their way.
The next day, the Army's 27th Infantry Division landed to join the Marines. Tanks led the U.S. advance - but the Japanese were far from finished. A platoon of M-4 Shermans ran into a battery of enemy 77 mm guns.
Gunnery Sgt. Bob McCard's tank was hit, and the crew abandoned it. McCard was the last out, covering his men by throwing grenades at attacking Japanese infantry. Hit by enemy fire, McCard knew he could not get away. He grabbed the tank's machine gun and faced the enemy. He killed 16 before being swarmed under and won a posthumous Medal of Honor.
The Japanese brought their own tanks into battle in a night attack. The entire 9th Tank Regiment roared forward at 3 a.m. Infantrymen clung to the sides of the tanks to be carried into the Marine lines. An infantry regiment charged behind the tanks. Bugles blared, and officers waved their swords from the turrets.
But Japan's tanks were much inferior to U.S. models. Marines with bazookas had little trouble blowing holes in their thin armor. Other Marines tossed satchel charges under them or hopped aboard to drop grenades in open hatches.
Then special ``tank destroyer'' half-tracks arrived mounting 75 mm guns, which made short work of the enemy's ``washing machines.'' Gunfire from destroyers offshore added to the carnage. More than 30 enemy tanks and 700 soldiers were wiped out.
The Japanese proved much better on the defensive. The Marines took heavy casualties pushing up ``Death Valley'' to take the fortifications atop Hill 500 and ``Purple Heart Ridge.''
After cutting across Saipan, the 27th Army Division moved south and the two Marine Divisions pushed north against Mount Tapotchau, the key to the island.
June 24, the 27th Division had cleared the south and started sending troops northward. The next day, the Marines reached the top of Mount Tapotchau after a vicious series of attacks and counterattacks.
However, it would take two more weeks to subdue the island from a garrison bent on fighting to the last man.
by CNB