Saipan & Tinian 1944 by Gordon Rottman

Author:Gordon Rottman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Saipan & Tinian 1944: Piercing the Japanese Empire
ISBN: 9781472800107
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

A 2nd Marine bazooka team stays on the lookout for targets on the south side of Garapan. It was not until 2 July that the 2nd Marines entered the town, not so much because of resistance, but to wait for units inland, advancing over rough terrain and meeting stiff resistance, to come abreast of them.

By late morning the regimental reserve battalions had landed and by afternoon were in position to support the frontline battalions. Both of the divisional tank battalions were unloaded by late afternoon, but the 4th lost a number of tanks to fire and reef potholes. The 2nd Tank Battalion faired better. Most tanks were sent into the line upon landing, but the 4th held most of its flame-tanks in reserve the first day. The 10th Marines’ artillery was unable to begin landing until late afternoon, but by nightfall most howitzers were in action supporting the 2nd MarDiv. The 4th MarDiv’s 14th Marines began coming ashore in the early afternoon, but it was early evening before they were in action. The 14th Marines lost a number of howitzers in the surf and others were damaged by enemy fire. Many of these were later repaired and returned to action. Both the divisions’ reserve regiments began landing in the early afternoon, but it was near nightfall before all were ashore and in position. The 24th Marines suffered almost 400 casualties in the process from LVT accidents and artillery fire. At 19.00hrs the order was given that no more troops would be landed that day. Only the 1st and 3rd Battalions of 2nd Marines had landed.

Over 2,000 casualties were suffered on D-Day. In the confusion, no accurate determination could be made of dead and wounded, combat and accidental deaths. Many wounded were treated and retuned to duty and others were not treated until the next day or days later. Artillery and mortar fire had taken the heaviest toll, followed by machine-gun and rifle fire, and then edged weapons in the hand-to-hand combat ashore. Drownings and capsized landing craft and LVTs accounted for numerous deaths. The three hospital LSTs, to which 40 percent of the casualties were sent, proved unsatisfactory as they were soon filled to capacity with 200 casualties each. The wounded had to be transferred to transports, causing them more discomfort.

Navy beach parties and Marine shore parties came ashore in the early afternoon. Cooperation between the elements was excellent. Little cargo-handling equipment could be landed the first day, and this, coupled with the increasingly difficult surf conditions, hampered supplies and equipment unloading. Few units experienced shortages, however, as amtracs in the second, third, and fourth waves carried additional small arms and mortar ammunition, grenades, and water to be off-loaded on the beach. Additionally, each battalion had two amtracs loaded with the same, along with rations and medical supplies. These came ashore after the initial landing and carried the supplies inland to the unit.

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