The battle of Saipan was a battle that was fought by the Japanese and the United States during the time of World War II. Saipan had been owned by Japan since 1914. Through the years of 1942- 1944, the United States continued to have victories over Japan along the Pacific. After conquering most of the Pacific, the United States later focused on islands in the Marinas which includes Saipan. Saipan was the largest island in the Marina measuring 47 square miles. If the US was successful they could have cut off most of the islands connected to Japan that supplied many resources and had an upper advantage. The United States wanted Saipan specifically for an air base that was crucially needed to launch the US army’s new long-range B-29 Superfortress …show more content…
However, the US wasn't the only one underestimating. The Japanese had to flee and went to the highest point in Saipan, which is Mount Tapotachu. Mount Tapochau is 1500 feet. After weeks of the long intense battle, Smith ordered his troops to head towards a huge open valley. This valley got the nickname "Death Valley”. Around Death Valley was a ridge with the Japanese army shooting and firing at approaching US marines. Many of the war's losses came from this Death Valley and ridge. The ridge earned the name "Purple Heart Ridge” because of all the losses. Overall the US army pushed through and pushed back the Japanese. By June 18th the US army was able to be more spread out and slowly take on the rest of the …show more content…
The Japanese had a total of 27,000 troops dead. Sapigan had a large civilian population. During the war, the civilians were told to commit suicide for fear with being under the control of the US would be much worse. There were a total of 15,000 civilians dead. The loss of Saipan surprised the political establishment in Tokyo. The loss of Saipan marked the first loss of the land that they had acquired from their expansion. The prime minister of Japan, General Hideki Tojo had promised that they would never lose Saipan. This prime minister was forced to step down a week