Saipan: The Beginning of the End

Saipan was the last barrier that the prevented the Allied forces from launching their entire military might against the Japanese homeland.



Victory at Saipan was the key which opened the door to the soft underbelly of the Japanese Empire. Yet, because the Japanese were aware of this vulnerability, they were willing to throw everything they had against the ever-encroaching American forces and fight to the death to defend this island.



Fifteen battleships began their bombardment of Japanese posit...