This film provides a detailed look at troop movements during the first phase of the Mariana’s Operation as US forces moved to capture Saipan during WW2 in 1944. It is an official US Marine Corp Official Operation Report and was produced by the Marine Corp Photographic Service (:08). It opens with the scheme of maneuver for the 2nd Division during the second part of the operation (:22). It shows where combat team 8 was to land on D-Day (:35) as well as which points they were to secure (:47). The landing of combat team 6 (1:12) follows as they were to cover the left and the north flank. Combat team 2 was to conduct a diversionary demonstration at Tanapag Harbor (1:28). The scheme of maneuver for the 4th Division is also shown (2:22) as they were to seize Aslito Airfield (2:44). Control vessels hoisted the Wave 1 flag (3:26) as they move for the beaches (3:29). Shoreline installations are hit in preparations for the landings (3:38) and troops unload onto the beach (4:02). Air support covered artillery, tanks and men moving in (4:39). The 2nd Division hit light resistance at first, which increased (5:08). The 4th Division hit heavy resistance upon landing (5:23). Mines were located and dangerous areas were marked off (5:48). The front line which was established by late afternoon on D-Day is shown (6:14) as well as the line which the 4th Division had created (6:20). A radio station was captured by elements on the right of the 2nd Division (6:28). The 4th Tank Battalion of the 4th Division and the 2nd Tank Battalion of the 4th Division began to land (6:39). Three battalions of the 14th Marines and 2nd battalion of 10th Marines also landed (6:42). By the end of the first day, troops were firmly established ashore (7:00) and half of the 01 line was secured (7:00). Japanese forces attacked twice in the night (7:32) however, the Regimental combat team 25 pushed them back (7:39). The 2nd Division experienced counter attacks, though with the support of air and naval attacks, it was also pushed back (7:55). The pier at Chalan Kanoa was captured (8:15). The following day, lines were advanced (9:11). Japan counter attacked at night (9:24). Bazookas and medium tanks took out 31 enemy tanks (9:39). Naval guns fired in support (9:56). The 2nd Division and the 4th Division extended their lines (10:37) while the 27th Division began landing (10:40). The 2nd, 4th, and 27th launched a coordinated attack on Aslito AirPort (10:52). The southwest portion of Saipan was nearly covered by US forces (11:32). A Japanese fleet and the US’s 5th fleet were locked in a two-day battle west of the Marianas (12:07). Japan’s capabilities to intervene in the capture of Saipan were minimized after this encounter (13:24). A battery of 155 mm guns pointed themselves to hit Tinian (14:09). The improvement of front lines follows (14:28). All divisions were to advance to the eastern coast of Saipan (14:47). Rockets are loaded into planes to join the attack (15:03). Softening up attacks follow with strafing and rocket shelling of enemy positions (15:09) as the 27th hit Japanese forces in caves and pillboxes (16:02). The southern portion of the island was covered save for Nafutan Point (16:16). Unknown reasons caused the US’s forces’ oil dump to explode and fires spread to ammunition dumps (17:48) resulting in a loss of weapons and ammunition. Flame throwers moved in to hit entrenched positions in Nafutan Point (18:10). Japanese weapons were collected (18:17) and used against them. Japan launched an aerial attack on Saipan (18:38). A Destroyer fired into a Japanese command post (19:49). 155 mm gun battalions disrupted use of air strips on Tinian and in northern Saipan (19:59). Mount Tipo Pale and Tapochau were now under US control (20:34). P-47’s arrived for combat air patrol at Aslito Airfield (21:22). A combined attack between three divisions was stalled as one, the 21st, mistook supporting units of the 4th Division as the front line (22:09) and confusion ensued resulting in a delay. The attack was pushed for the following day (22:38). Japanese forces shelled the area of the 10th Marines disrupting artillery communications (23:34). US forces destroyed about 30 tanks (23:52). Thermite grenades and demo charges were dropped into disabled tanks (24:02). On June 24th, Japan targeted Aslito Airfield (24:25). Fighter crafts equipped with 500 and 1,000 lb. bombs targeted Tinian (26:21). As lines improved, forces pressed northward (26:51). Japanese bombs hit the northeast corner of Aslito (27:09) and their ground forces conducted a raid on the field which all US forces defended (27:20). Japanese forces were pushed back (27:57). The 27th continued it’s advance (28:27) and 105th Infantry finally captured Nafutan Point (28:54).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24