| SAIPANEVO.com |
| Evolution on Saipan |
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| Red Night Beach Attack |
On the night of the 16th June, we carried
out a large-scale night attack. One
battalion broke through a portion of the
enemy’s line…but we suffered great
losses.
Captain Taisa Shimamura
The battle evolved itself into a
madhouse of noise, tracers, and
flashing lights. As tanks were hit and set
afire, they silhouetted other tanks
coming out of the flickering shadows.
Major James Donovan
Near here about 1,000 Japanese
infantrymen joined 44 tanks in a
powerful counterattack against the
Marines holding Red Beach. This was
the first large-scale tank battle of the
Pacific War. At first light the next
morning, Marines counted 31 tanks
burning on the battlefield.
Two days’ fighting on this beachhead
cost the U.S. 2nd Marine Division 3,500
casualties.
out a large-scale night attack. One
battalion broke through a portion of the
enemy’s line…but we suffered great
losses.
Captain Taisa Shimamura
The battle evolved itself into a
madhouse of noise, tracers, and
flashing lights. As tanks were hit and set
afire, they silhouetted other tanks
coming out of the flickering shadows.
Major James Donovan
Near here about 1,000 Japanese
infantrymen joined 44 tanks in a
powerful counterattack against the
Marines holding Red Beach. This was
the first large-scale tank battle of the
Pacific War. At first light the next
morning, Marines counted 31 tanks
burning on the battlefield.
Two days’ fighting on this beachhead
cost the U.S. 2nd Marine Division 3,500
casualties.
| UPDATED: 09/23/07 |