| Operation codename: Forager |
After the conquest of Saipan remained out of four strategically important islands in the southern Mariana Islands under Japanese control Tinian, Rota and Guam. The Rota American command decided that it is sufficient to neutralize it by aerial bombardment, and so next target was Tinian, only three miles distant from the southern coast of Saipan. (Miloš Hubáèek - Ofenziva v Pacifiku, Mladá fronta, 2000)
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Article on English Wikipedia (2)| Scenario in dates: |
| December 7, 1944: |
In the Pacific - Japanese forces bomb Guam and Wake and Midway is bombarded by two Japanese destroyers. |
| December 10, 1941: |
In the Mariana Islands - Admiral Goto commands a Japanese force which captures the 300 man US garrison on Guam. Six Americans manage to avoid capture. Five of them are gradually captured, however, radio operator George Tweed, with the help of the locals, manages to survive illegally until the American invasion in 1944. |
| 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 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 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. |
| July 4, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - Elements of US Task Force 58 attack Guam Island with carrier aircraft. |
| July 8, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - American battleships shell targets on Guam. |
| 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. |
| July 20, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The bombardment of Tinian is expanded as army artillery based on Saipan becomes available, in addition to the air attacks and naval shelling. |
| July 21, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - Troops of the US III Amphibious Corps (Geiger) land on Guam. The 3rd Marine Division (Turnage) establishes a beachhead at Asan, west of Agana. The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade (Shepherd) and the 77th Infantry ("Statue of Liberty") Division (Bruce) come ashore at Agat. Eventually, 54,900 American troops are deployed. There is only moderate Japanese resistance on the beaches. Task Force 53 (Admiral Connolly) provides naval support with 6 battleships and 5 escort carriers. Three groups from Task Force 58 attack Japanese positions with carrier aircraft. The Japanese garrison numbers 19,000. The defense is based on the forces of the 29th Infantry Division (Takashima). General Obata, commanding the Japanese 31st Army, is present on the island.; In New Guinea - Japanese forces launch further attacks over the Driniumor River, near Aitape. American forces hold the offensive. |
| July 22, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, marines of US III Amphibious Corps attempt to link up their two beachheads with converging attacks. The American forces each advance about one mile against heavy Japanese resistance. |
| July 23, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, American marines on the northern beachhead reach Point Adelup. On the southern beachhead, the marines cross the neck of the Orote Peninsula, thereby cutting off the main Japanese airfield on the island. |
| July 24, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - The US V Amphibious Corps (General Schmidt) lands on Tinian. The US 2nd Marine Division first conduct a feint landing in the southwest, while the 4th Marine Division establishes a beachhead in the northwest. The American force numbers 15,600 men. Task Force 52 (Admiral Hill) provides transport. Fire support is provided by battleship groups commanded by Admiral Oldendorf and Admiral Ainsworth. The Japanese forces on the island number 8.000 under the command of Colonel Ogata and Admiral Kakuta. Napalm is used for the first time in the Pacific during the defense of the beachhead against Japanese attacks. |
| July 25, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam the American marine forces are still unable to link up the two beachheads. On the southern landing, there is also fighting on the Orote Peninsula. On Tinian, the forces of US V Amphibious Corps advance cautiously southward after repulsing Japanese counterattacks. |
| July 27, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, the US 77th Division prepares to attack Mount Tenjo, a hill overlooking Apra Harbor, where Japanese defend in fortification facilities constructed before WW1 by by the United States Navy. On Tinian, Americans being work on a new airfield at Ushi Point. |
| July 28, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, American marines occupy much of the Orote Peninsula. Other US forces take Mount Chachao and Mount Alutom in the continuing effort to link up the beachheads. |
| July 29, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Tinian, the American forces now occupy more than half the island. Japanese resistance is increasing. |
| July 30, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Tinian, the main town of Tinian is captured by American forces. The southern half of Guam has been secured by US troops. |
| July 31, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Tinian, American forces begin attacks on the last center of organized Japanese resistance, in the south of the island. |
| August 1, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - Organized Japanese resistance on Tinian comes to an end. Most of the garrison, over 6000, have been killed and 250 have been captured. American forces have suffered 390 killed and 1800 wounded. |
| August 2, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, US forces make progress in attacks on the west side of the island but American attacks on the east side are repulse by the Japanese garrison. |
| August 3, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, the US 77th Division (part of US III Amphibious Corps) advances on the east side of the island after the Japanese fall back. The Japanese defensive positions on Mount Santa Rosa are shelled by American warships. The US 3rd Marine Division is fighting hard for the village of Finegayan, where Private Frank P. Witek demonstrates the exemplary heroism for which will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. |
| August 3, 1944: |
Mariana Islands - Tinian Island, 24-year-old Private Robert Lee Wilson, member of the US 2nd Marine Division, sacrifices his life to fulfill his mission and protect his fellow soldiers when he fearlessly chooses to cover the explosion of a thrown Japanese hand grenade with his own body. Wilson participated in all the important engagements in the Pacific until his death, his actions were characterized by courage and professionalism. He distinguished himself at Guadalcanal and later at Tarawa, where he was wounded. Before the war, he was a right-hand man on his father´s farm and volunteered for the army before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and after the war, a Gearing-class destroyer, USS Robert L. Wilson (DD-847), would be named after him. |
| August 6, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, a regiment of US 77th Division suffers heavy casualties during a Japanese counterattack. |
| August 7, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam there is heavy fighting along the entire front as US forces attack Japanese positions. |
| August 8, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, American troops overrun Mount Santa Rosa. The remaining Japanese garrison is compelled to withdraw to the north end of the island. |
| August 10, 1944: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, American forces have secured the island. Insignificant groups of Japanese continue their resistance. American casualties amount to 7000, including 1300 killed. Only 100 Japanese prisoners have been taken, out of a garrison estimated at over 10,000 men. |
| August 11, 1944: |
Marian Islands - After the end of organized resistance of his troops on the island of Guam, Japanese General Hideyoshi Obata commits a ritual suicide at his headquarters on Mount Mataguac. |
| January 11, 1945: |
In the Central Pacific - A Japanese Kongo group of six submarines, armed with Kaiten-type suicide torpedoes, is launching an attack against Allied naval bases (I-36 and I-48 - Ulithi in the Caroline Islands, I-47 - Hollandia in New Guinea, I-53 - Kossol Roads in the Palau Islands, I-56 Seeadler Harbor in the Admiralty Islands and I-58 - Apra Harbor on Guam. The result of the action is a lean, Kaitens from I-36 damage the ammunition ship USS Mazama (AE-9) and sinks one landing vessel, Kaitens from I-36 damage one Liberty-class cargo ship. |
| July 26, 1945: |
In the Marianna Islands - The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) delivers the consignment of Uranium-235, needed to assemble the first operational atomic bomb, to the American base on Tinian. |
| August 6, 1945: |
In the Mariana Islands - On Guam, British Admiral Fraser, commanding the British Pacific Fleet, invests American Admiral Nimitz with the Order of Bath. |
| December 8, 1945: |
Marian Islands - three U.S. Marines are ambushed and killed by Japanese troops on the island of Guam. As on many islands in the Pacific, isolated soldiers remain on Guam after the war too, refusing to surrender and continuing to fight for the Japanese Empire. The last of them, Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi, will be captured on January 24, 1972, after 28 years hiding in the jungle. |
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| Literature sources: |  | Jordan, David, Wiest Andrew: Atlas Of World War II., Ottovo nakladatelství, 2006, Praha |  | Moskin, J. Robert: The U.S. marine corps story, Laser - books, 1997, Plzeò |  . | Swanston, Alexander & Malcolm: The Historical Atlas of World War II, Columbus, 2007, Praha | | . | Šnajdr, Miroslav: Flying Marines, Akcent, 2015, Tøebíè | | . | Sims, Edward H.: Nejvìtší vzdušné bitvy (The Largest Air Battles), Toužimský & Moravec, 2002, Praha |  | Pejèoch, Ivo: Obrnìná technika 10 (Armored machinery 10), Ares, 2010, Praha |  | Hubáèek, Miloš: Ofenzíva v Pacifiku (Offensive in Pacific), Mladá fronta, 2000, Praha |  | Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Vítìzství pøichází z moøe (Victory comes from sea), Naše vojsko, 1999, Praha | Novotný, František: Dobytí Guamu (Conquest of Guam), www.valka.cz, 2004
Pejèoch, Ivo: Lehký tank Typ 95 Ha-Go (Light tank Type 95 Ha-Go), HPM No. 1/1994
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