D-Day in the Pacific
Subtitle: The Battle of Saipan (Twentieth-Century Battles)
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: June 2007
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 276
ISBN-13: 9780253348692
Subjects: Asian / Middle Eastern history: Second World War; Battles & campaigns; History of specific subjects; History; History - Military / War; Military; Japan; Military - World War II; Military - Other; Military - Strategy; Saipan, Battle of, Northern Mariana Islands, 1944
Description: "In June 1944 the attention of the nation was riveted on events unfolding in France. But in the Pacific, the Battle of Saipan was of extreme strategic importance. This is an account of one of the most dramatic engagements of World War II. The conquest of Saipan and the neighboring island of Tinian was a turning point in the war in the Pacific as it made the American victory against Japan inevitable. Until this battle, the Japanese continued to believe that success in the war remained possible. While Japan had suffered serious setbacks as early as the Battle of Midway in 1942, Saipan was part of her inner defense line, so victory was essential. The American victory at Saipan forced Japan to begin considering the reality of defeat.

For the Americans, the capture of Saipan meant secure air bases for the new B-29s that were now within striking distance of Tokyo and every other Japanese city ."--Jacket.