The Battle of Saipan
Saipan was taken in two parts: The north part of the island and the south part of the island. Marines surged across the beach and invaded the natural caves that were created by the volcanic island. The Japanese fell back from the front lines after 8,000 marines landed on the beach. The Japanese fled to the mountains and lead sorties by night. The Japanese general Saito led one last charge against the marines’ advancing front lines. He had encouraged the civilians to take up spears and charge with the regular troops. Of the 25,000 civilians on the island about 1,000 were alive after the battle.
Saipan
This map shows the marine divisions that invade certain areas of Saipan, and the key fortifications that had to be taken to secure Saipan.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf was one of the largest naval battles in WWII. The Japanese general decided that the massive naval force of the Allied Powers would bombard the island, giving the defenders no hope. The allied force consisted of: 8 fleet carriers, 8 light carriers, 18 escort carriers, 12 battleships, 24 cruisers, 141 destroyers and destroyer escorts, Many PT boats, submarines, and fleet auxiliaries, and about 1,500 planes. The Japanese force consisted of: 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 9 battleships, 14 heavy cruisers, 6 light cruisers, 35+ destroyers, and 300+ planes (including land-based aircraft). Many Japanese planes would Kamikaze and plummet onto Allied ships.
Losses for Allied:3,000 dead; 1 light carrier destroyed, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort sunk, and 200+
planes lost.
Losses for Japanese
10,500 dead; 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers sunk, and 500 planes destroyed.
Losses for Allied:3,000 dead; 1 light carrier destroyed, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort sunk, and 200+
planes lost.
Losses for Japanese
10,500 dead; 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers sunk, and 500 planes destroyed.
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The battle of Iwo Jima was a lot like other WWII island battles. The Japanese would hide in caves,pillboxes, and trenches and fire on the marines invading the beach. The Marines would use flame-throwers and grenades to flush out the Japanese from their hiding spots. The marines would advance and cause a breach in the defenses and cause the Japanese to fall back. The Marines would keep pushing until all the Japanese were dead or captured, and most of the time the Japanese soldiers and citizens would all fight to the death.
Iwo Jima was close to the mainland of Japan so it was necesery to be taken so that the Allied powers could launch B-29 planes against the Japanese mainland. Over several thousand sorties were flown out of Iwo Jima once it was taken by the Allied Powers. 6,821 Americans were killed. 19,217 Americans were wounded. The Japanese had 21,844 killed, and 216 were taken hostage, but they were only taken hostage because they were knocked unconscious or were otherwise disabled.
Iwo Jima was close to the mainland of Japan so it was necesery to be taken so that the Allied powers could launch B-29 planes against the Japanese mainland. Over several thousand sorties were flown out of Iwo Jima once it was taken by the Allied Powers. 6,821 Americans were killed. 19,217 Americans were wounded. The Japanese had 21,844 killed, and 216 were taken hostage, but they were only taken hostage because they were knocked unconscious or were otherwise disabled.
The Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was an 82 day long battle that involved a naval and land battle. The Japanese navy lost its largerst ship, and several Allied ships were lost due to kamikaze attacks. The land battle involved several mountains that had to be taken, and many strategic positions that were taken during the battle. The Japanese eventually fled to the mountains and lead sorties only by night. The Japanese surrendered on June 21 after 82 days. U.S. losses were over 62,000 casualties and of whom, over 12,500 people were killed or missing after the battle was over. The Japanese had lost about 95,000 who were killed and 7,400–10,755 soldiers who were captured. There were about 42,000-150,000 civilians who were killed.