| Operation codename: Forager |
Already 4th April Admiral Turner presented a preliminary version of the plan of operation FORAGER. Chosen as the primary objective Saipan Island. Although Saipan (186 square kilometers) smaller than Guam, from the military and geographic point of view it was the center of Marianas. Was the administrative center of the archipelago, had the best airport in the Mariana Islands, which became a major Japanese air base on the route between Japan and Truk Atoll, located there as well as auxiliary runway and enough space to build the warehouses and workshops. (Miloš Hubáček - Ofenziva v Pacifiku, Mladá fronta, 2000)
Article on Czech Wikipedia
Article on English Wikipedia| Scenario in dates: |
| August 25, 1943: |
In the United States - In Camp Elliot, California, the V Amphibious Corps is formed, the core of which is the three Divisions of the Marine Corps (3rd, 4th, and 5th), and becomes the striking amphibious force of the 5th Fleet. Headed by one of the most competent, General Holland McTyeire Smith. It is the commander who since the outbreak of war directed extensive training of the US Army, Navy and Marines in amphibious combat, which subsequently became the main factor of successful American landings in the Pacific and Atlantic. The corps under his leadership will gradually conquer the Gilbert, Marshall and Marian Islands, eventually Iwo Jima and General Smith will retire after the war, recognized a the "father" of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. |
| February 23, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - American aircraft raid Rota, Tinian and Saipan. The US forces are from Task Group 58.3 (Sherman) and Task Group 58.2 (Montgomery). The attack sinks 20,000 tons of Japanese shipping. |
| May 21, 1944: |
In the United States - The West Loch Disaster occurs in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The explosion of the ammunition on the LST-353 landing craft inside the stage of ships prepared for the upcoming for Operation Forager, the invasion of the Japanese-held Mariana Islands, leads to chain of explosions and fires that sink six LST vessels, killing 163 and injuring another 400 people. The accident was clasified and the wreckage was quickly cleared, except the LST-480, which wreck remained in Pearl Harbor to the present day. Accient has led to major changes in weapon handling practices within the United States Navy. |
| June 10, 1944: |
In the Dutch East Indies - In a diversionary action, British aircraft from HMS Illustrious and HMS Atheling raid Japanese positions on Sabang. The intent is to distract Japanese attention from American forces approaching the Mariana Islands. |
| June 11, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - US Task Force 58 (Admiral Mitscher) begins raids against Japanese bases on Saipan, Tinian and other islands. TF58 has 9 fleet carriers and 6 light carriers. Task Group 58.7 (Admiral Lee) provides escort. An estimated 36 Japanese planes are shot down. Task Group 58.4 attacks shipping in the area. The Japanese lose 3 minor warships and about 30,000 tons of merchant transport by the aircraft. The operations are overseen by Admiral Spruance, commanding the Central Pacific Area, on board the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35). |
| June 12, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - US naval forces continue attacks on Japanese positions in the island group. They concentrate on Tinian, Saipan and Guam. The Japanese fleets located at Tawitawi and Batjan set sail to counterattack. Admiral Kurita commands a vanguard force while Admiral Ozawa leads the main force. The main force from Tawitawi is sighted and reported by an American submarine. The Japanese have 5 fleet carriers, 2 light carriers, 2 seaplane carriers, 5 battleships as well as several cruisers and destroyers in support. The commander of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Toyoda, realizes that the American forces are numerically superior but he also expects support from the land-based aircraft on the islands. These air assets, however, are being depleted by American attacks. |
| June 14, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - US naval forces conduct bombardments of Saipan and Tinian in preparation for landings on these islands. The two American naval groups, commanded by Admiral Ainsworth and Admiral Oldendorf, include 7 battleships and 11 cruisers as well as 8 escort carriers in support. The battleship USS California (BB-44) is hit by a Japanese shore battery. Extensive mine-sweeping operations are also conducted by American forces. |
| June 15, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - American landing on Saipan (Operation Forager) begin with a three hour air and naval bombardment (by Task Force 52). Elements of the US V Amphibious Corps (General Holland M. Smith) come ashore with a force of 67,500 men, to the north and south of Afetna Point. The main American units engaged are the 2nd Marine Division (Watson) and 4th Marine Division (Schmidt). The two beachheads fail to link up immediately, but the American forces do advance inland. The Japanese garrison consists of the reinforced 43rd Infantry Division (General Saito), as well as naval contingents (Admiral Nagumo), numbering about 30,000 men. During the night hours, Americans on beachheads face a series of counterattacks, but resist. Even the largest deployment of Japanese tanks throughout the Pacific War, when the Japanese attack under the guise of darkness with 40 light and medium tanks accompanied by two thousand infantry, does not succeed in trying to push the Americans back into the sea. |
| June 16, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - US battleships, under the command of Admiral Ainsworth, shell Guam. The invasion of the island is deferred, however, because of the approach of the Japanese fleet. On Saipan, the elements of US 5th Amphibious Corps link the two beachheads by capturing Charan Karoa and Afetna Point. There is substantial use of artillery by the Japanese and American counter battery fire in addition to the infantry combat. |
| June 17, 1944: |
In the Philippine Sea - The carriers led by Admiral Clark and the rest of the main US carrier forces sail for a rendezvous to the west of the Mariana Islands. Off the island of Saipan, the escort aircraft carrier USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) is attacked from all sides by 70 Japanese aircraft. Several attackers are shot down, but one bomb penetrating the elevator shaft and an explosion below deck killing 14 and wounding 23. the Damage is brought under control by the crew and vessel can be repaired in Pearl Harbor. |
| June 17, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The US 27th Infantry Division lands on Saipan to reinforce the American beachhead. |
| June 18, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, elements of the US 5th Amphibious Corps continue to make progress. The 4th Marine Division reaches the west side of the island at Magicienne Bay. This advance divides the Japanese garrison. Elements of the 27th Division capture Aslito airfield. Most of the American air and naval support has withdrawn to meet the approaching Japanese fleet. |
| June 20, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The US V Amphibious Corps continues operations on Saipan. The US 27th Division clears the south of the island while the US 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions advance northward. |
| June 22, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, forces of the US V Amphibious Corps advance. The US 2nd Marine Division captures Mount Tipo Pale and fight for Mount Tapochau. The US 4th Marine Division progresses east on the Kagman Peninsula. |
| June 23, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, US V Amphibious Corps remains engaged in fighting. The 2nd Marine Division contineus to battle for Mount Tapochau. |
| June 24, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The battle for Saipan continues as US V Amphibious Corps makes progress. The 27th Division clears the southern part of the island and most of the division moves northward. The 2nd Marine Division continues to battle for Mount Tapochau. |
| June 25, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The US V Amphibious Corps continues to battle for Saipan. Mount Tapochau is captured. Heavy fighting is recorded in the Kagman Peninsula and near the southwest tip of the island. |
| June 26, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The American V Amphibious Corps continues attacking on Saipan. A small Japanese reinforcement convoy heading for the island is met and forced away by US forces. |
| June 30, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The American V Amphibious Corps has captured over half of Saipan. Fighting north of Mount Tipo Pale and Mount Tapochau continues. Death Valley and Purple Heart Ridge are cleared. |
| July 2, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, American forces conduct a general advance. Garapan village is overrun. |
| July 6, 1944: |
Mariana Islands - On Saipan Island, Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, who was the commander of the Japanese aircraft carriers at the beginning of the war during almost all major operations, including the Pearl Harbor attack and defeat at Midway, committs suicide by revolver shot. |
| July 7, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, most of the remaining Japanese garrison, about 3000 men, assault American lines south of the village of Makunsha. The Japanese are forced to retreat with heavy losses. During the Japanese counterattack, American Private First Class Harold C. Agerholm distinguishes himself, when volunteer to help evacuate casualties. For nearly three hours, he single-handedly evacuates 45 casualties while under intense rifle and mortar fire before being mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper. He will be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, as will another hero of the day, Private Thomas Baker, who was renowned for his bravery and achievements in combat in the previous days. This time, however, he was seriously wounded in a Japanese attack, and when a comrade who wanted to carry him off the battlefield was also wounded, he refused to evacuate, even though he only had an M1911 pistol with eight rounds remaining. When American troops later recaptured the site, they found an empty pistol and eight dead Japanese soldiers near Baker´s body. |
| July 9, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Saipan, US forces reach Point Marpi and the last organized Japanese resistance is overcome. An estimated 27,000 Japanese have been killed and 1780 are prisoners, both figures include civilians. US forces have lost 3400 killed and 13,000 wounded. |
| July 10, 1944: |
Mariana Islands - Saipan Island, Yoshitsugu Saito, commander of Japanese forces defending Saipan, is committing ritual suicide in his cave hiding place at dawn. Saito is given a funeral with military honors by his American counterpart Holland M. Smith. Guam Island - From a cliff on a Japanese-occupied island, US Navy radioman George Ray Tweed uses a mirror and the Morse code to connect with the patrolling US destroyer USS McCall (DD-400). Tweed was the only American to avoid Japanese captivity during their invasion of the island in 1941, and with the help of the natives, he managed to hide for two and a half years. Although the cliff area is within range of Japanese batteries, a group of brave volunteers manage to pick up the Tweed by motor whaleboat and transport him to a destroyer, where he reports many valuable informations about Japanese positions in Guam before the upcoming US landing. |
| November 27, 1944: |
Mariana Islands - In the early morning hours, Isley Field on Saipan Island is attacked by Japanese bombers from Iwo Jima. Despite the big losses, the Japanese have managed to destroy 5 parked B-29 Superfortress bombers and 13 more damage. The event leads to a strengthening of Marian´s defense and intensifying preparations for invasion of Iwo Jima. |
| December 1, 1945: |
Marianas - Three months after the capitulation of Japan and more than a year after the conquest of Marianas, Japanese Captain Sakae Oba and his 46 remaining men surrender on the island of Saipan. During the futile pursuit around the island, he received the nickname "Fox of Saipan" from his enemies. |
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Pejčoch, Ivo: Ka-Mi, HPM No. 2/2005
Pejčoch, Ivo: Lehký tank Typ 95 Ha-Go (Light tank Type 95 Ha-Go), HPM No. 1/1994
Šťastný, Pavel, Mgr.: Nejlepší japonský tank (The Best Japanese tTnk), Válka revue No. 1-2/2010, Brno
Dvořák, Pavel: Northop P-61 Black Widow, HPM No. 11/1992
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