Saipan's Tanks PTO (id:#57338)

Critical Hit (Leatherneck ID: LN7)   [next]   [previous]

6th Marines Beachhead, Saipan, the Marianas 1944-06-17 (7 others)

Overview:

During daylight hours of 16 June, the 2nd Marine Division had not suffered in savage fighting as had the 4th Marine Division. Once darkness had fallen, General Saito, commanding the Saipan garrison, chose to switch his scene of action northward by attacking the 6th Marines in their flank. Instead of ordering his troops to drive the Marines into the sea, Saito decided to first attempt recapturing Saipan’s radio station, located just 400 yards behind the Marine’s front lines. The 44-tank strong 9th Tank Regiment, mostly equipped with 47mm guns would spearhead the attack. At 0330 hours on the morning of 17 June, the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines head the roaring tank engines just minutes prior to them bursting from the jungle, closely followed by screaming Japanese infantry of the already decimated 136th Infantry Regiment.

Defender: American (USMC) (1/6 Marines (Reinforced))  

Errata (source)