... as well as the Mariana Turkey Shoot. Before covering the battle action, the author takes the first three chapters to give background info in order the reader to have a better understanding of the islands and the hardships the Marines and GIs will have in taking them.
A description of the general history of the Marianas that involves the Germans, Spanish, the US and the Japanese that goes back for hundreds of years. The author gets down to specifics when the Japanese became involved. During the first couple years of the war Saipan wasn't considered important except for its economic value but when the US started taking back islands, the Marianas became very important and in 1943 Japan started a crash course in fortifying the islands.
The Marianas became critical in Japanese strategy as part of their last lines of defense that must not be penetrated by the US if Japan had any chance of winning the war. The author does a nice job of describing the preparations; he also describes all of the weaponry that was part of that defense that wasn't installed in time. If the invasion had been later in the year, taking the island would have been much harder than it was.
The American plans for the invasion is then discussed in good detail as well as the complicated command structure. These opening chapters were very deliberate and much can be learned from it.
The battle action begins with the Marine 2nd and 4th Divisions riding the amtracs into shore and the harrowing job of fighting the rough seas, getting over the reef and dodging the blizzard of small arms fire and mortar fire just to reach the beach. The author uses many first hand experiences to describe the awful time these Marines had in not only the landing but throughout the whole campaign. For many of these men, two, three or more landings were experienced throughout the war. To experience this horror once is bad but to do it several times is unimaginable.
Once landed, the author takes you through the ordeal of these two divisions plus the 27th Infantry Division had in clearing the enemy from a rugged terrain that favored the defenders.
While the battle on land was escalating, a major sea/air battle was taking place that was part of Japanese Plan A-Go to destroy the American Fleet under Adm Spruance. The Americans called it "The Mariana's Turkey Shoot" for the Japanese lost over 400 planes, a carrier and other ships. Besides the battle coverage, the controversy between Mitscher and Spruance when Spruance conservatively called an end to the offensive when Mitscher wanted to continue.
An even larger controversy erupted over two generals on Saipan that the author covers very well. It concerns a Marine General relieving an Army General for lack of positive results. (Holland Smith vs Ralph Smith) The author does a nice job of describing the specifics between the two generals as well as the escalation that occurred throughout the system.
In Conclusion, the author discusses the casualties of the war and the importance of cracking the Japanese critical line of defense. Japan lost many planes and experienced pilots and a carrier which were irreplaceable. From the Marianas, B-29s could now reach Japan. Holland Smith, Ralph Smith and others are also discussed as to their fates after the Marianas.
There are 10 maps and 24 photos as well as a competent Notes section, Bibliography, Appendix which includes principal military units and officers and Index. The Bibliography includes the many people interviewed who contributed to the book.
This is an engaging story and anybody interested in the battle for the Marianas should definitely read this book. Its highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries
Brian McLeod
I enjoyed the reading of this book
Reviewed in Canada on December 30, 2015
