Original subtitles

\h\h\hNarrator: BY 1944, THE AMERICAN WAR MACHINE

IS AT FULL THROTTLE.

\hTHEY ARE PUSHING JAPAN BACK ACROSS THE PACIFIC,

ISLAND BY ISLAND.

\hBUT THE NEXT ISLAND IS DIFFERENT - SAIPAN.

AS THEY HIT THE BEACH,

\h\h\h\hMan: I COULD SEE THE BULLETS STRIKING THE WATER.

Narrator: AND FLY INTO FIRE.

\h\hMan: A ZERO ZOOMED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

\hNarrator: RELIVE AN HISTORIC NAVAL BATTLE

WITH COLOR COMBAT FOOTAGE

AND UNCOVER A SIMMERING RIVALRY THAT SAIPAN BLOWS WIDE OPEN.

\h\hHEAR THE VOICES AND FEEL THE FIGHT.

\h\hMan: HE SAID, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW,

SOME OF YOU WON’T BE HERE.

♪

♪

Narrator: HAWAII, \h\hJANUARY 1944.

\h\h\hTHE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR WAS TWO YEARS AGO.

AFTER A ROUGH START TO THE PACIFIC WAR,

AMERICA IS FINDING ITS FOOTING.

INSTEAD OF A BATTLEGROUND, HAWAII IS NOW A PLAYGROUND

FOR TROOPS ON LEAVE.

THE FIGHTING SEEMS \h\hVERY FAR AWAY.

\hBUT THE WAR’S LEADERS ARE RIGHT HERE IN PEARL HARBOR,

\hHOTLY DEBATING THE COMPETING STRATEGIES

OF ADMIRAL CHESTER NIMITZ AND \h\hGENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR.

\hMACARTHUR WANTS TO FOCUS THE ACTION IN HIS COMMAND

- THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC.

\h\hNIMITZ WANTS TO PUSH UP HIS TERRITORY, THE CENTRAL PACIFIC,

WITH AN ISLAND-HOPPING CAMPAIGN OF AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULTS.

THE GILBERTS WERE A DISASTER.

THE MARSHALLS WENT BETTER.

\h\h\h\hTHE NEXT STEP IS THE MARIANAS, INCLUDING SAIPAN.

THE MARIANAS ARE A FAR LARGER \h\h\hAND MORE DISTANT TARGET.

INVADING WOULD BE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE

AND GIVE ISLAND-HOPPING \hAN EXTRAORDINARY TEST.

NIMITZ IS CONFIDENT.

MACARTHUR IS SKEPTICAL.

\hHE THINKS ISLAND HOPPING IS INEFFICIENT AND BLOODY.

\h\h\h\hBUT ONE AIRPLANE’S POTENTIAL TIPS THE SCALE.

News Reader: WHEN THE WORKERS \hREPORTED FOR THE FIRST TIME,

FEW OF THEM GUESSED \h\hTHE EXACT NATURE

OF WHAT THEY WERE BUILDING.

\h\h\h\hTHEY WERE BUILDING THE MIGHTIEST AIRCRAFT IN HISTORY.

\hNarrator: A NEW WAR PLANE IS IN PRODUCTION

- THE BOEING B-29.

IT WILL BE THE POST POWERFUL BOMBER YET

WITH THE GREATEST RANGE.

IF NIMITZ CAN TAKE THE MARIANAS

FROM THERE THE B-29 \hCOULD REACH TOKYO.

IF ENGINEERS CAN GET IT TO FLY.

\h\h\h\h\hMan: EARLY ON, WE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS.

WE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS.

\h\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: AT A TRAINING GROUND IN KANSAS,

\hCREWS HANDPICKED TO FLY B-29S KEEP WAITING

FOR THEIR AIRPLANES TO SHOW UP.

\h\h\h\hMan: WE WERE TRAINING IN B-17S, AND WE KEPT SAYING,

\hWHERE IS THIS BIG BABY THAT WE VOLUNTEERED FOR?

\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: THE MILITARY WANTS IT FAST,

BUT RUSHING A NEW WEAPON \h\hTO WAR CAN BACKFIRE.

ONE TEST FLIGHT CRASHES IN THE MIDDLE OF SEATTLE

KILLING MORE THAN 30.

BY THE TIME AMERICA DECIDES \h\hTO INVADE THE MARIANAS,

100 B-29S HAVE BEEN DELIVERED, \h\hBUT ONLY 15 ARE AIRWORTHY.

FOR THE MARIANAS TO \hBE WORTH THE PAIN,

THIS AIRPLANE WOULD HAVE \h\hTO KEEP ITS PROMISE.

BEFORE THIS WAR, THE MARIANAS \h\hALREADY ENDURED CENTURIES

OF IMPERIAL POWER STRUGGLES.

THE SUCCESSION OF RULERS INCLUDED SPAIN, GERMANY,

AMERICA AND NOW JAPAN.

THE NATIVE CHAMORRO PEOPLE SUFFERED THROUGH THEM ALL.

NOW, ANOTHER INVASION \hFORCE IS ON ITS WAY.

\h\h\h\h\hNews Reader: TOWARD THE END OF MAY,

THE 27TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN HAWAII

\hWAS GETTING READY TO SAIL FOR SAIPAN.

Narrator: THE PORTS OF HAWAII \h\hARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.

EVERY BATTLE BEGINS \h\hON THESE DOCKS.

\h\hFROM ARMY TROOPS TO MARINE HARDWARE,

\hTHE BURDEN TO CARRY IT ALL IS ON THE NAVY.

\hBUT THEY’VE NEVER SUPPORTED AN INVASION AS FAR AS SAIPAN.

\h\hIT’S A MATHEMATICAL AND LOGISTICAL WAR UNTO ITSELF.

110 SHIPS, LOADED TO THE LIMIT.

\h32 DAYS OF FOOD RATIONS FOR ABOUT 128,000 TROOPS.

20 DAYS OF AMMUNITION, \h\h\h\hFUEL AND OIL.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VEHICLES \h\h\h\hAND HEAVY ARTILLERY.

IN ALL, 75,000 TONS OF CARGO \h\hNEEDS TO FIT SOMEWHERE.

EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY IS PACKED WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE.

\hMARINES LIKE CHARLES PASE ARE APPREHENSIVE

ABOUT LEAVING HAWAII IN \hTHE REAR VIEW MIRROR.

\h\h\h\hMan: IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE PLACE.

WE HATED TO LEAVE.

IN FACT, WE DOUBLY \h\hHATED TO LEAVE

BECAUSE WE HAD A PRETTY FAIR \hIDEA WHERE WE WERE GOING.

Narrator: ON MAINLAND \h\hASIA, THE JAPANESE

ARE ALSO STRUGGLING TO WAGE \hWAR OVER GREAT DISTANCES.

\hIN CHINA, THEY SET HILLSIDES ABLAZE WITH INCENDIARY BOMBS,

JUST TO SPREAD FEAR.

\hIN BURMA, ALLIED FORCES FIGHT BACK.

AMERICANS GIVE JEEPS TO THE BRITISH AND CHINESE.

AND DROP SUPPLIES TO LOCAL FIGHTERS.

\hCRATES OF WEAPONS END UP ON THE BACKS OF ELEPHANTS

FOR DELIVERY INTO THE JUNGLE.

BY 1944, JAPAN IS BACKPEDALING.

BURMESE GUERILLAS MARCH \h\hPOWS INTO CAPTIVITY,

SYMBOLIC OF JAPAN’S SLIPPING \hFOOTHOLD ON MAINLAND ASIA.

OUT IN THE PACIFIC, THEY RACE TO FORTIFY

THEIR ISLAND COLONIES.

\h\h\hEMPEROR HIROHITO KNOWS WHAT’S AT STAKE.

HE DELIVERS A MESSAGE \h\h\h\hTO HIS TROOPS.

\h\h\hMan: IF SAIPAN IS LOST, AIR RAIDS ON TOKYO

WILL TAKE PLACE OFTEN.

YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST HOLD SAIPAN.

\h\h\h\hNarrator: BY JUNE 14TH, SOME 32,000 JAPANESE

ARE DIGGING IN TO DEFEND IT.

AN ADMIRAL PREDICTS THE ATTACK \h\hCOULD COME WITHIN A MONTH.

\h\h\hTHE AMERICANS WILL LAND THE VERY NEXT DAY.

News Reader: CONVOYS WERE NEARING SAIPAN.

\hTHESE MEN WOULD BE CRAWLING THROUGH BRUSH AND CANE FIELDS,

FIGHTING FOR EVERY FOOT \h\hOF JAPANESE GROUND.

♪

\h\h\h\hNarrator: AS THE FORCE APPROACHES SAIPAN,

THEY KNOW AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULTS \h\h\hARE A WORK IN PROGRESS.

\h\h\hTHE LEARNING CURVE IS LITTERED WITH DEAD MARINES.

ROY ROUSH REMEMBERS THE MOOD AS SOLEMN.

\h\h\h\hMan: THE DAY BEFORE WE LANDED, OUR COMPANY COMMANDER

SHOOK HANDS WITH EVERY MAN AND \hTALKED TO HIM FOR A MOMENT.

HE WISHED EVERY ONE OF US THE BEST OF LUCK AND SAID,

\hUNFORTUNATELY I KNOW BY THIS TIME TOMORROW,

SOME OF YOU WON’T BE HERE.

♪

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\hNarrator: ON THE MORNING OF D-DAY,

\h\h\h\hTHE NAVY RAINS DESTRUCTION ON SAIPAN.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

FIRING FROM AFAR, THEY SACRIFICE ACCURACY FOR SHEER VOLUME.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\hTHEN 150 CARRIER PLANES TAKE THE BATTLE UP CLOSE.

\hBRAVING RETURN FIRE, THEY POUND THE BEACHES

TO SOFTEN THEM UP \hFOR THE LANDING.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

THE PLAN CALLS FOR THE \hFIRST WAVE OF TROOPS

TO LAND AT 0830, WITH MANY WAVES TO FOLLOW.

News Reader: THIS \hWAS THE BIG ONE.

NO ONE SPOKE, EVERY MAN \hWAS TENSE, BUT READY.

Narrator: THEY’RE GOING IN.

PREVIOUS ISLAND INVASIONS \hCAUSED HEAVY CASUALTIES

SO THEY TRY A NEW APPROACH.

HEAVILY-ARMED AMPHIBIOUS \h\h\hTANKS LEAD THE WAY

\h\hWITH TROOP TRACTORS FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND.

THEY HOPE THE TANKS CAN \hBLAST THEIR WAY INLAND

SO TROOPS DON’T HAVE TO GET \hOUT ON THE EXPOSED BEACH.

NOBODY WANTS MARINES \h\h\hWADING ASHORE

IN BLOOD-STAINED WATERS LIKE THEY HAD AT TARAWA.

\h\h\h\hBUT THE ENEMY LEARNED LESSONS FROM THE SAME BATTLE.

\hJAPANESE FILM REVEALS MORE ELABORATE PILLBOXES

\h\h\hWITH CLEAR SIGHT LINES TO THE INVADERS.

\h\h\h\hTHEY’VE EVEN PLANTED DISTANCE FLAGS IN THE WATER.

THE ENTIRE LAGOON \hIS PRE-SIGHTED.

\hAMERICANS ARE RIGHT IN THEIR CROSS HAIRS.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

COLONEL JAMES DONOVAN \h\hIS COMMANDING ONE

OF THE LANDING CRAFT, \h\h\hTRAILING A TANK

THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE COVER.

\h\h\hMan: I COULD SEE THE BULLETS STRIKING THE WATER

RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

\h\hI TOLD THE MEN TO GET DOWN AS LOW AS THEY COULD.

\h\hNEXT THING, MY LIEUTENANT WAS HIT IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER.

HE LOOKED DOWN TO HIS SHOULDER

AND HIS LEFT EYE WAS SHOT OUT.

\h\hTHE MAN STANDING NEXT TO ME HAD HIS HEAD KNOCKED OFF

BY AN ANTI-TANK ROUND.

\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: THE LEADING TANKS CAN’T STOP

THE VOLLEY OF INCOMING SHELLS.

\h\hBEHIND THEM, MEN ARE GETTING CUT INTO PIECES.

DONOVAN DECIDES IT’S BETTER \h\hTO LET THE SURVIVORS OUT

TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES \h\h\h\hON THE BEACH.

\h\h\h\h\hMan: WE LANDED AT THE WATER’S EDGE AND WE ALL CLIMBED

OUT OF THAT TRACTOR.

IT WAS A BLOODY MESS BACK THERE.

\hNarrator: CHAOS UNFOLDS AS THE MEN SCRAMBLE FOR COVER.

INSTEAD OF LEAPFROGGING \hTHE BEACH AS PLANNED,

THEY’RE STUCK ON IT.

\hMan: WE RAN RIGHT INTO THE BATTALIONS

THAT LANDED AHEAD OF US AND \hTHEY HADN’T GONE VERY FAR.

Narrator: ONE BATTALION \h\h\hFIGHTS FOR AN HOUR

\hAND ADVANCES ONLY 12 YARDS PAST THE BEACH.

MANY JUST HAVE TO CROUCH IN THE SAND

AND KEEP THEIR HEADS DOWN.

\hMORE WAVES OF TROOPS WAIT OFFSHORE TO JOIN THE FIGHT.

THEY SEE BOATS COMING BACK \h\hWITH WOUNDED OR WORSE.

\h\h\hMan: ONE OF THEM JUST HAD A PILE OF HANDS AND FEET

\h\hAND PARTS OF GUYS, ABOUT FIVE FEET HIGH.

Narrator: INSTEAD OF QUICKLY \hSLICING THEIR WAY INLAND,

IT’S A SLOW, BLOODY PUSH.

Man: IT GOT PRETTY NOISY.

THE SMOKE DRIFTING AROUND.

\hA MESS OF DEAD BODIES AND ABANDONED EQUIPMENT.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

IT WAS AN EERIE SCENE OUT THERE.

\h\h\hNarrator: D-DAY ON SAIPAN IS A ROUGH START,

\hBUT THE MARINES GAIN THEIR FIRST FOOTHOLD.

BY DAY’S END, THEY SECURE \h\h\hSIX MILES OF BEACH,

\h\h\hUP TO A HALF MILE INLAND, ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THEIR GOAL.

\hJUNE 15TH IS FULL OF HITS AND MISSES,

TRIAL AND ERROR,

BRAVERY AND BLUNDERS.

IT’S A VERY LONG DAY.

AND FOR SOME, THEIR LAST.

\hTHERE ARE 2,000 DEAD AND INJURED.

THE MARINES HAVE MADE THEIR FIRST SACRIFICES ON SAIPAN.

THE NAVY IS NEXT.

\h\hAS NIGHT FALLS ON D-DAY, AN AMERICAN SUB

SPIES A LARGE ARMADA ON THE WAY FROM THE PHILIPPINE SEA.

THE JAPANESE ARE COMING \hTO WRESTLE THE ISLAND

BACK FROM THE INVADERS.

\h\hAMERICA DECIDES TO GO MEET THEM HEAD ON.

\h\hSAILORS GET AN EMERGENCY BRIEFING

- THEY’RE HEADING \hBACK OUT TO SEA.

\hFIRST, THEY DUMP ASHORE ALL THE SUPPLIES THEY CAN

IN SHORT ORDER.

GROUND FORCES SQUABBLE \h\hOVER WHAT’S LEFT.

THEY STEAL EACH OTHER’S SUPPLIES

\h\hIN WHAT THEY CALL MIDNIGHT REQUISITIONS.

MARINES TAKE 33 ARMY TRUCKS \hAND WON’T GIVE THEM BACK.

ON LAND, IT’S LOGISTICAL CHAOS.

AT SEA, IT’S AN UNEASY CALM.

PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

IS A NEW KIND OF WARFARE.

WITH LONGER-RANGE PLANES, THE \h\hJAPANESE MAY STRIKE FIRST.

\h\hED HARRELL IS GAME TO CHASE THEM ANYWAY.

\h\hMan: WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT ALL WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE,

BUT WE DIDN’T RUN FROM THEM.

NEVER.

\hNarrator: THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA

WILL BE THE BIGGEST CARRIER \h\hBATTLE IN NAVAL HISTORY,

IF THE FLEETS CAN \hFIND EACH OTHER.

AMERICAN RADAR PICKS UP INCOMING PLANES.

THE JAPANESE HAVE FOUND THEM.

[SIRENS BLARING]

\hCARRIERS SCRAMBLE THEIR F6F HELLCATS TO MEET THEM.

♪

\h\hTHE TWO MASSIVE NAVIES ARE STILL HUNDREDS OF MILES APART.

SO IT COMES DOWN TO ONE \hPILOT AGAINST ANOTHER,

\h\h\hIN WHITE-KNUCKLE, SPLIT-SECOND DOGFIGHTS.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

[GUN FIRING]

AMERICAN SHIPS BLAST \h\hAWAY FROM BELOW.

[GUN FIRING]

WALLACE BRUNTON IS ONBOARD THE \hUSS CALLAHAN - A DESTROYER.

Man: WE KNEW THEY WEREN’T TRYING TO BOMB DESTROYERS.

THEY WERE AFTER THE CARRIERS.

\hALL WE HAD TO DO WAS SHOOT AT THEM.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\h\h\h\hNarrator: JAPAN MADE ITS PLANES LIGHTER

BY SHEDDING HEAVY ARMOR.

THEY GAINED RANGE, \hBUT LOST MUSCLE.

IN AERIAL FISTFIGHTS, THEY SIMPLY CAN’T TAKE A PUNCH.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

AMERICAN HELLCATS SHOOT \h\hDOWN OVER 20 PLANES

FROM THE FIRST ATTACK WAVE.

[GUN FIRING]

\hNAVAL ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE HIT A DOZEN MORE.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

ONE JAPANESE BOMBER SCORES A HIT

ON THE BATTLESHIP SOUTH DAKOTA.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

24 SAILORS ARE KILLED UNDER A HALO OF SMOKE.

\h\h\hTHEN THE SECOND ATTACK WAVE COMES IN.

128 PLANES.

NAVY PILOT GEORGE KIRK JOINS \h\hTHE FRAY IN HIS HELLCAT.

\h\h\h\hMan: A ZERO CAME AND ZOOMED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

HE WAS CHASING ANOTHER HELLCAT.

\hWE CROSSED AND I WAS ABLE TO LIGHT HIM UP.

I SAVED THAT OTHER GUY.

\h\hNarrator: THIS ATTACK WAVE FARES

EVEN WORSE THAN THE FIRST.

\h\hTHEY HIT NO SHIPS AT ALL AND MANY END UP IN THE SEA.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\hBY THE TIME THE FOURTH JAPANESE WAVE COMES IN,

THEY ARE SCATTERED AND DISORGANIZED.

SOME DON’T EVEN FIND THE AMERICAN FLEET.

\h\h\hMan: THEY RAN OUT OF GOOD PILOTS.

\hTHEY DIDN’T TEACH THOSE GUYS TO LAND.

THEY JUST TOLD THEM TO GET \hOUT THERE AND KILL YOU.

\h\hNarrator: KIRK GETS CLOSE ENOUGH

TO LOOK RIGHT INTO AN ENEMY COCKPIT.

\h\h\h\h\hMan: THE PILOT WAS JUST STARING STRAIGHT AHEAD.

\h\hLIKE A LITTLE KID, JUST SCARED TO DEATH.

♪

\hNarrator: IT’S A COMPLETE ROUT.

\hAMERICANS NICKNAME IT THE GREAT MARIANAS TURKEY SHOOT.

\h\hBUT THEY STILL DON’T KNOW WHERE ENEMY PLANES

ARE COMING FROM.

\h\hTHE JAPANESE CARRIER FLEET REMAINS BEYOND AMERICAN EYES.

\h\h\hTHE CHANCE TO STRIKE A KILLER BLOW

\h\h\h\hAPPEARS TO BE SINKING WITH THE SUN.

\h\h\hTHE NEXT MORNING, AMERICANS ARE HELL BENT

ON FINDING THE ENEMY FLEET.

SCOUT PLANES HUNT OVER THE OPEN SEAS ALL DAY, WITHOUT LUCK.

THEY FEAR THE ENEMY \h\h\hHAS RETREATED.

THEN AT 4:00 P.M., THEY FIND THE JAPANESE 275 MILES AWAY.

\hSAILORS GET WORD TO SCRAMBLE THEIR PLANES.

ED HARRELL REMEMBERS THE ADRENALINE RUSH.

\hMan: IT WAS LIKE YOU WERE HOLLERING AT A FOOTBALL GAME

\h\hBECAUSE WE KNEW WE WERE GOING AFTER THEM.

\h\hNarrator: IN THE LOW AFTERNOON LIGHT,

200 HELLCATS TAKE OFF \hIN JUST 20 MINUTES.

THIS MIGHT BE THEIR LAST CHANCE TO STRIKE THE JAPANESE NAVY.

BUT IT’S A RISKY DECISION.

\h\hTHE ENEMY FLEET IS TOO FAR FOR THE SHORTER-RANGE HELLCATS

TO SAFELY MAKE ROUND TRIP.

AND IT’S TOO LATE TO RETURN IN DAYLIGHT.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF PLANES OUT THERE.

WE DIDN’T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE \h\h\h\h\hAT ALL NIGHT FLYING.

Narrator: AT DUSK, AMERICAN \h\h\hPILOTS FIND THE FLEET.

THERE ISN’T MUCH TIME.

SOME OF THE SMALLER SHIPS \h\hCAN MOVE AT 40 KNOTS,

A TRICKY TARGET.

BIGGER SHIPS ATTRACT \h\hMORE ATTENTION.

[GUNS FIRING]

\h\h\hTHE BIGGEST PRIZE FINALLY COMES INTO VIEW.

A CARRIER.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

FROM ABOVE, IT APPEARS \h\hTO BE A SOLID HIT.

JAPANESE FILM SHOWS THE \hCHAOS UNFOLDING BELOW.

♪

\h\h\hGUNNERS TRY TO REPEL THE AMERICANS.

THE CARRIER DECK IS SO DAMAGED,

\hJAPANESE PILOTS CAN’T LAND ON IT.

INSTEAD, THEY HAVE TO \hDITCH IN THE WATER.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: THE SEA WAS COVERED WITH JAPANESE SAILORS

HANGING ON FOR LIFE WITH \hNO THOUGHT THAT ANYONE

WOULD EVER PICK THEM UP.

THERE WERE NO SHIPS LEFT TO RESCUE THEM.

\h\h\h\hNarrator: THE JAPANESE NAVY IS FIGHTING FOR ITS LIFE.

\h\hWITH BOMBS FROM ABOVE AND TORPEDOES FROM BELOW,

\h\hAMERICANS TAKE OUT FIVE SHIPS, INCLUDING A CARRIER.

SOME WILL LIMP AWAY.

OTHERS ARE SIMPLY BLOWN AWAY.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

THERE’S NO TIME TO CELEBRATE.

\hTHEY HAVE TO FLY BACK IN THE DARK.

MANY CRASH LAND INTO THE OCEAN,

HOPING FOR RESCUE THE NEXT DAY.

OTHERS MAKE IT BACK \h\hAND RISK LANDING

A CRIPPLED PLANE AT NIGHT.

[CRASH THUDDING]

\hOVER BOTH DAYS, AMERICANS LOSE 100 PLANES AND 50 MEN.

\hBUT JAPANESE LOSSES ARE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES WORSE.

FOR THEM, IT’S A CRUSHING SETBACK

AND THEY WON’T FULLY RECOVER.

\hIT’S A DECISIVE AMERICAN VICTORY.

\h\h\hSINCE THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY TWO YEARS EARLIER,

\hTHEY HAVE GAINED THE UPPER HAND IN THE WIDE-OPEN SEAS.

\h\h\h\hBUT THE TINY ISLANDS CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM FITS.

ONCE ASHORE ON SAIPAN, ONE \hOF THE FIRST OBJECTIVES

IS ASLITO AIRFIELD.

\hIT’S A POTENTIAL BASE FOR THE B-29

SO THEY EXPECT HEAVY DEFENSES.

THE ROUTE TO THE AIRFIELD \hIS THROUGH THICK FIELDS

OF SAIPAN’S PRINCIPAL CROP.

\hMan: THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF ACRES

OF SUGAR CANE FIELDS, VERY DENSE AND ABOUT HEAD HIGH.

THEY PROVIDED IDEAL \hCOVER FOR SNIPERS

OR INFILTRATING JAPANESE.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\h\h\h\hNarrator: HIDDEN WITHIN THE MAZE OF CANE

\h\h\hAND, ON THE RIDGE ABOVE, JAPANESE AMBUSH THE AMERICANS.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

THEY’RE PINNED DOWN FOR \h\hHOURS IN THE FIELDS.

\h\hFINALLY, THEY TAKE TO BURNING THEIR WAY THROUGH,

NOT KNOWING WHO MIGHT BE HIDING JUST YARDS AWAY.

\hANOTHER COMPANY GETS HUNG UP IN A VILLAGE,

\h\hTRYING TO DISCERN SOLDIER FROM CIVILIAN.

\hTHE SOLID LINE OF ADVANCE BREAKS DOWN

AND AMERICAN MISSTEPS \hMAKE MATTERS WORSE.

\h\hARMY AND MARINE UNITS ARE FIGHTING SIDE BY SIDE

\h\h\h\hAND THE CHAIN OF COMMAND GETS CONFUSING.

\hONE OFFICER KEEPS CALLING HEADQUARTERS

\hTO FIND OUT WHO HE’S WORKING FOR.

A COMBAT TEAM LAUNCHES \h\hAN ATTACK AT 0730,

\h\h\hNOT HEARING THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL 0930.

AND ONE ENTIRE REGIMENT IS STUCK

WITHOUT COMMUNICATIONS \h\h\h\h\h\hEQUIPMENT.

\h\h\hIT NEVER GOT OFF THE SHIP BEFORE IT PULLED OUT

FOR THE NAVAL BATTLE.

WITH SMALL ARMS, FIELD ARTILLERY,

TANK BLASTS AND FIRE,

AMERICANS BLAST AWAY THROUGH \hTHE DANGEROUS CANE FIELDS

\h\h\hAND APPROACH AN AIRFIELD THAT PROMISES

EVEN STIFFER RESISTANCE.

♪

BUT THE NEXT DAY, THE ENEMY \hSEEMS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED.

ASLITO AIRFIELD IS ABANDONED.

\h\hTHE HULKING REMNANTS OF BOMBED OUT JAPANESE AIRCRAFT

LITTER THE TARMAC.

\hTROOPS FIND EXACTLY ONE JAPANESE SOLDIER,

HIDING IN THE CONTROL TOWER.

OTHERWISE, THEY ARE GONE.

THIS AIRFIELD IS ONE \hOF THE KEY PRIZES

OF THE WHOLE ISLAND CHAIN.

\h\hAMERICANS WILL SOON PREPARE IT FOR THE B-29.

\h\hWHY THE JAPANESE LEFT IT FOR THE TAKING IS A MYSTERY.

MAYBE AMERICAN BOMBS \h\hMADE THEM FLEE?

OR MAYBE THEY FOUND A BETTER PLACE TO FIGHT?

MOVING NORTHWARD, AMERICANS \hAPPROACH MOUNT TAPOTCHAU,

SAIPAN’S TALLEST PEAK.

IF THEY WANT THE ISLAND, \h\hTHEY’LL HAVE TO TAKE

ITS HIGHEST GROUND.

\h\hTHEY FORM A LINE TO PUSH AROUND AND OVER IT.

MARINE UNITS HAVE EITHER SIDE \h\hAND THE 27TH ARMY DIVISION

LEADS THE PUSH UP THE MIDDLE.

News Reader: THE 27TH SET UP A COMMAND POST

AND ESTABLISHED CONTACT \h\h\h\hWITH THE MARINES

TO COORDINATE AN ATTACK \h\hON MOUNT TAPOTCHAU.

\hNarrator: IN CHARGE OF THE 27TH IS GENERAL RALPH SMITH,

A QUIET, CEREBRAL PRESENCE \h\h\hON THE BATTLEFIELD.

\h\hHIS PATH IS DICTATED BY GEOGRAPHY THROUGH A VALLEY,

FRAMED ON ONE SIDE BY THE MOUNTAIN’S CLIFFS

\hAND THE OTHER BY A HIGH RIDGE LINE.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\hAS THE ACTION GETS THICK, ARMY UNITS UNDER RALPH SMITH

TAKE A POUNDING IN THE MIDDLE \h\hAND DON’T ADVANCE AS FAST

AS THE MARINES ON EITHER SIDE.

AT TIMES, THEY ARE PINNED \h\h\hDOWN FLAT FOR HOURS

AND CAN’T EVEN LIFT THEIR HEADS.

MANY ARE FORCED TO RETREAT.

\h\h\h\hON THE FLANKS, THE MARINES BEGIN TO QUESTION

THE ARMY’S TACTICS.

Man: WE KNEW WHAT THE HELL

WAS GOING ON WITH THE 27TH DIVISION.

\h\h\hTHEY JUST UP AND RAN BACK, LEAVING US EXPOSED.

\h\h\h\hNarrator: RALPH SMITH ORDERS THE 27TH TO GET GOING.

\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: ADVANCE OF 50 YARDS IN ONE AND A HALF HOURS

IS MOST UNSATISFACTORY.

START MOVING AT ONCE.

Narrator: RESPONDING \h\hTO THE PRESSURE,

ONE COMMANDER PULLS UP HIS UNIT

AND RUNS THEM HEADLONG \h\h\h\hUP THE VALLEY.

\h\h50 YARDS LATER, THEY HIT A DOWNPOUR OF LEAD.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\hTHE COMMANDER IS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND KILLED.

\hTHE ARMY NICKNAMES THEIR SURROUNDINGS,

\h\hDEATH VALLEY AND PURPLE HEART RIDGE.

JAPANESE ARE NESTED UP ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VALLEY.

\h\h\hAPPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH, AMERICAN ARTILLERY

HAS NO CLEAR SHOT.

\h\h\hARMY TROOPS HAVE TO ADVANCE WITH LITTLE COVER.

FOR THE JAPANESE, IT’S LIKE \hSHOOTING FISH IN A BARREL.

\h\h\h\hMan: WE COULDN’T FATHOM WHERE IN THE HELL

THEY WERE AT.

WE KNEW IF A GUY STOOD \hUP, HE’D GET POPPED.

\h\hNarrator: MARINE GENERAL HOLLAND SMITH IS OVERSEEING

THE ENTIRE INVASION \h\hFORCE ON SAIPAN.

HE’S A BRASH BULLDOG OF A MAN, IN STARK CONTRAST

TO THE QUIETER RALPH \hSMITH OF THE ARMY.

WHEN HE REALIZES THE 27TH IS \hLAGGING BEHIND THE MARINES

\hBY ALMOST A MILE, HE SENDS RALPH SMITH A CLEAR MESSAGE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: COMMANDING GENERAL IS HIGHLY DISPLEASED

WITH THE FAILURE OF \hTHE 27TH DIVISION

\h\hADVANCE AND SEIZE OBJECTIVES AS ORDERED.

\h\hNarrator: PRIVATELY, HOLLAND SMITH QUESTIONS

THE ARMY’S STOMACH FOR COMBAT.

\h\h\hMan: THE 27TH DIVISION WON’T FIGHT AND RALPH SMITH

WILL NOT MAKE THEM FIGHT.

\hNarrator: IT ALL COMES TO A HEAD ON JUNE 24TH.

\h\h\hHOLLAND SMITH RELIEVES RALPH SMITH OF HIS COMMAND.

\h\h\h\h\hTOMMY THOMPSON WITNESSES THE ENCOUNTER

WHILE STANDING GUARD NEARBY.

\h\h\h\hMan: HE GRABBED HIM BY THE SHIRT, BACKED HIM UP

AGAINST THE TENT POLE, AND SAID,

\hYOU SON OF A BITCH, GET THE HELL OFF THIS ISLAND.

YOU’RE GOING BACK TO HAWAII.

\h\hNarrator: ARMY BRASS RETALIATES.

\h\hONE CALLS HOLLAND SMITH PREJUDICED AGAINST THE ARMY.

\hANOTHER WANTS HIM OUT OF THE PACIFIC.

EVEN RALPH SMITH SOUNDS OFF.

\h\hMan: NO ARMY COMBAT TROOPS SHOULD EVER AGAIN

\hBE PERMITTED TO SERVE UNDER HOLLAND M. SMITH.

\h\hNarrator: THE TENSION BETWEEN ALL THREE SERVICES

SPILLS OUT INTO THE OPEN.

NEWSPAPERS POUNCE ON IT AND \h\hTHE RIVALRY GOES PUBLIC.

BICKERING REACHES ALL THE WAY UP TO ADMIRAL NIMITZ.

\h\h\h\hBUT AMONG THE GROUND TROOPS, THE DAMAGE IS DONE.

THERE IS FINGER POINTING.

DISTRUST.

AND THE QUESTIONING \h\h\hOF ONE’S GUTS.

ARMY GRUNTS TAKE IT PERSONALLY

AS IF THEY HAVEN’T BEEN \hFIGHTING HARD ENOUGH.

AMERICA’S DECISION TO PUSH \h\hUP THE CENTRAL PACIFIC

PUTS ALL THE PRESSURE ON DISTANT ISLAND WARFARE.

SO FAR, THE PRESSURE IS SHOWING.

\h\h\hMan: OUR LIVING CONDITIONS WERE CRUDE.

YOUR SHAVING KIT WAS \hYOUR STEEL HELMET.

WE HAD TRENCH LATRINES.

ONE THING WE DIDN’T HAVE WAS THE TERRIBLE WEATHER

THEY HAD IN ENGLAND.

Narrator: FOR MOST AMERICANS,

SAIPAN IS THEIR FIRST TASTE OF THE TROPICS.

THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY \h\hCAN BE OPPRESSIVE.

WHEN ALLOWED TO PULL BACK FROM THE FRONT,

TROOPS TRY TO RESET BOTH MIND AND BODY.

\h\h\h\hMan: WE HADN’T HAD A BATH IN A MONTH.

YOU PULLED OFF YOUR SOCKS AND \hMOST OF YOUR SKIN CAME OFF.

Narrator: ANY CHANCE TO GET HALFWAY CLEAN IS A GODSEND.

PRIVACY, OR NO PRIVACY.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHERE’S ALSO DO-IT-YOURSELF LAUNDRY.

Man: CLOTHES WERE SO DIRTY

THEY’D STAND UP BY THEMSELVES.

\h\h\hNarrator: WITH ONLY ONE UNIFORM, THEY MAKE DO.

\h\hANY FOOD THAT IS NOT CANNED FIELD RATIONS IS ANOTHER TREAT.

IT’S NOT HOME COOKING, BUT IT’S STILL WORTH THE WAIT.

\hMan: THEY WOULD MAKE A FIVE POUND

CAN OF COFFEE IN A BARREL.

IT WAS THE PRETTIEST \hFOAM YOU EVER SAW.

\h\hSOME OF THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE

WAS ON THAT ISLAND.

\h\hNarrator: DOWNTIME GIVES THE MEN A CHANCE

\h\h\hTO SWAP STORIES AND COMPARE BATTLE SOUVENIRS.

JACK LENT EVEN COMMANDEERS \h\h\h\h\hA JAPANESE BIKE

TO VISIT SOME BUDDIES \h\h\hIN ANOTHER UNIT.

\h\h\h\hMan: THEY SAID, HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET UP HERE?

I SAID I RODE RIGHT \hUP THAT MAIN ROAD.

THEY SAID, WE HAVEN’T \h\h\hCAPTURED IT YET.

\h\hI WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE JAPANESE LINES ON A BICYCLE.

I THINK I WENT BACK AT 90 MILES AN HOUR.

Narrator: REST ALSO OFFERS A RARE CHANCE TO REFLECT.

\hMEN OF THE CLOTH LIKE VERNON HANKS

\h\hFEEL ESPECIALLY VALUABLE SERVING TROOPS IN DISTRESS.

\h\h\hMan: I MIGHT GIVE THE SACRAMENT TO 500 MEN

IN A SHORT LENGTH OF TIME.

\h\hTHOSE BOYS WERE REALLY APPRECIATIVE.

Narrator: BUT NOTHING \hIS QUITE AS VALUABLE

AS A LETTER FROM HOME.

\h\hANYTHING THAT TAKES THEIR MINDS OFF THE WAR IS WELCOME.

\hBUT THEN IT’S TIME TO GO BACK AND DO THE JOB.

\h\hTHERE’S A LOT OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS

BACK ON MOUNT TAPOTCHAU.

\h\h\hTHE BATTLE AROUND MOUNT TAPOTCHAU IS SLOW AND BLOODY,

BUT THIS HIGH GROUND IS KEY \h\hTO THE AMERICAN ADVANCE.

\h\hWITH NO GOOD ANGLE FOR SUPPORT ARTILLERY,

TROOPS WILL HAVE TO MARCH \h\hUP PURPLE HEART RIDGE

AND TAKE OUT THE JAPANESE WITH SMALL ARMS, MORTARS,

MACHINE GUNS AND GRENADES.

\h\h\hIT’S AN UPHILL BATTLE IN EVERY WAY.

ONE COMPANY LEAVES AT SUNRISE AND LOSES 12 MEN BEFORE 0930.

JOE BROWN IS TRYING TO CARRY \hTHE WOUNDED OFF THE SLOPE

\h\hWHEN ENEMY FIRE CATCHES UP WITH HIM.

\h\h\hMan: THEY OPENED UP ON US AND MOST OF US DOVE OFF.

WE HAD TO DROP THE STRETCHER CASES AND THEY KILLED THEM.

\hTHIS BOY, T.T. MOORE OUT OF DALLAS, SAT DOWN ON HIS KNEES

AND SAID, BOY, THAT \h\hWAS A CLOSE ONE.

THEN A MACHINE GUN OPENED UP AND HIT HIM IN THE REAR

AND A BULLET CAME OUT HIS CHEST.

\hNarrator: WITH THE HIDDEN JAPANESE SO HARD TO ENGAGE,

\hAMERICANS RESORT TO THROWING FIRE.

[FIRE ROARING]

\h\hMan: WE HEARD THE MOANING AND GROANING.

YOU COULD SMELL THE DEAD.

THE ODOR KEPT GETTING STRONGER AND STRONGER.

Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME,

\h\h\hAMERICANS DEPLOY FLAME-THROWING TANKS.

\h\hHERE, A LONE JAPANESE SOLDIER RUNS FOR HIS LIFE.

\hSLOWLY AND AT HIGH COST, AMERICANS TAKE

PURPLE HEART RIDGE,

\h\hALLOWING ARTILLERY TO BLAST ACROSS DEATH VALLEY

AT CAVE EMPLACEMENTS ON THE \h\hFACE OF MOUNT TAPOTCHAU.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\h10 DAYS AFTER LANDING, AMERICANS TAKE THE PEAK.

GENERAL HOLLAND SMITH \h\hCLIMBS UP HIMSELF,

POINTING OUT THE STRATEGIC \h\h\hVALUE OF A MOUNTAIN

THAT COST SO MUCH BLOOD \h\h- 4,000 CASUALTIES.

MUCH OF IT WAS SPILLED BY THE ARMY’S 27TH DIVISION,

\h\hMEN HOLLAND SMITH HAD DISMISSED AS INEFFECTIVE.

FIGHTING DOWNHILL SHOULD \h\hBE A WELCOME RELIEF.

\h\hTHERE ARE WOUNDS TO HEAL, BOTH PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL.

\hBUT THEY AREN’T THE ONLY ONES SUFFERING ON SAIPAN.

News Reader: THOUSANDS OF NATIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN

\h\h\h\hCAUGHT IN THE ADVANCE OF OUR TROOPS

\h\h\h\hSTREAMED THROUGH DESIGNATED SAFETY ZONES

TO THE INTERNMENT CAMPS.

Narrator: WHATEVER ARMIES \h\hCALL A THEATER OF WAR,

\hTHERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.

\h\hSAIPAN’S 25,000 RESIDENTS ARE STUCK

IN A SELF-CONTAINED WAR ZONE.

\hTROOPS FUNNEL AS MANY AS POSSIBLE INTO CAMPS.

\h\h\h\hSOME OF THEM ARE KOREANS, WHO HAVE LIVED

\h\hUNDER JAPANESE RULE FOR DECADES AND TREATED

AS LITTLE MORE THAN SLAVES.

MANY ARE BEING KILLED ALONGSIDE THE JAPANESE

BECAUSE AMERICANS CAN’T EASILY TELL THEM APART.

THE UNFOLDING TRAGEDY GETS THE \hATTENTION OF ADMIRAL NIMITZ.

HE INVITES A KOREAN-AMERICAN \h\hMINISTER FROM HONOLULU,

\hFATHER NOAH CHO, TO ACCOMPANY THE MARINES.

\h\h\h\hON SAIPAN, HE PERSUADES HUNDREDS OF KOREANS TO COME OUT

\h\hOF HIDING AND ACCEPT THE INVADERS AS FRIENDS,

\h\h\h\hEVEN LEADING THREE CHEERS FOR THE AMERICANS.

Crowd: YAY!

YAY!

YAY!

♪

\h\h\hNarrator: NOT ALL CIVILIANS ARE CONVINCED.

JAPANESE PROPAGANDA WARNED \h\hOF MARAUDING AMERICANS

\h\h\hPRONE TO RAPE, TORTURE AND MURDER.

\h\hEVEN AS TROOPS TRY TO LURE THEM OUT WITH A HELPING HAND,

\h\h\hSOME CANNOT BRING THEMSELVES TO ACCEPT IT.

\h\h\h\hMan: YOU WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO SHOOT THEM.

YOU WOULD HOLD UP THIS LEAFLET.

A LOT OF THEM WERE \hSAVED THAT WAY.

BUT YOU HAD TO BE CAREFUL, TOO.

A LOT OF THEM WERE SOLDIERS.

Narrator: WHEN THEY AREN’T SURE WHO’S HIDING INSIDE,

ALL BETS ARE OFF.

IF THEY WON’T COME OUT, \hAMERICANS WON’T GO IN.

[EXPLOSION BOOMING]

\h\h\hNews Reader: THIS WAS GARAPAN.

ONCE A CLEAN, TIDY \h\hTROPICAL TOWN,

THAT OUR BOMBARDMENT HAD NOW REDUCED TO A PILE OF RUBBLE.

\hNarrator: GARAPAN WAS A MODERN TOWN OF 14,000.

THE PROUD JAPANESE HAD CALLED IT

THE TOKYO OF THE SOUTH SEAS.

NOW, THERE IS LITTLE LEFT TO FIGHT OVER.

BUT GROUND TROOPS STILL \h\h\hHAVE TO SECURE IT.

THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR STREET FIGHT

OF THE ISLAND-HOPPING CAMPAIGN.

THE REMNANTS AND RUBBLE \hARE AS TOUGH TO FIGHT

THROUGH AS A MOUNTAIN \h\h\h\hFULL OF CAVES.

IT TAKES FOUR DAYS TO WIN.

\hMan: WHEN WE WENT THROUGH GARAPAN, THIS REALLY MODERN

LITTLE CITY JUST DISAPPEARED.

\hTHE REMAINS HAD TO BE BULLDOZED INTO THE SEA.

Narrator: IF THIS IS THE FATE

OF THE TOKYO OF THE SOUTH SEAS,

JAPAN SURELY FEARS FOR TOKYO ITSELF.

AFTER THE DEVASTATING LOSSES \h\hAROUND MOUNT TAPOTCHAU,

AMERICANS PUSH NORTHWARD \h\hWITH RELATIVE EASE.

\h\h\hMOST JAPANESE FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

BUT THIS SOLDIER DEFIES THE NORM AND SURRENDERS.

CAPTURED POWS REVEAL \h\hTHEY CAN BARELY

ORGANIZE THEMSELVES ANYMORE.

\hJAPANESE COMMANDERS RELAY THE SITUATION TO SUPERIORS.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: FORCES ARE COMPLETELY WIPED OUT.

\h\hNO FIGHTING STRENGTH CAN BE EXPECTED OF THEM.

\hNarrator: THERE ARE FEW UNITS LEFT INTACT.

\hSOLDIERS ARE IN IMPROVISED GROUPS,

BOUND TOGETHER ONLY \h\hBY CIRCUMSTANCE.

THEY HAVE LITTLE WATER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hMANY HAVE BEEN SUBSISTING ON SUGAR CANE.

\hBUT STILL, THEY FIGHT TO THE END.

THE FINAL DAYS ON SAIPAN WILL SHOCK

EVEN THE MOST HARDENED SOLDIER.

12 DAYS AFTER LANDING,

\h\hAMERICANS MOVE INTO THE NORTHERN END OF THE ISLAND.

THOUSANDS OF JAPANESE SOLDIERS REMAIN ALIVE,

DESPERATE, BUT STILL DEADLY.

\h\hPOCKETS OF RESISTANCE ARE SCATTERED BUT FIERCE.

IT CAN TAKE DAYS TO UNTIE \h\hA SINGLE, WELL-PLACED

\h\h\hUNDERGROUND KNOT WITH ONE BRUTAL BLOW.

\h\h\hAMERICANS RELY ON OVERWHELMING FIREPOWER.

AND SOMETIMES, PURE FIRE.

THERE IS STILL BAD BLOOD \hBETWEEN THE SERVICES.

\h\h\hTHE ARMY ASKS THE MARINES FOR SOME TANKS.

THEY REFUSE.

\hTHERE ARE STILL MILITARY MIX-UPS.

AMMUNITION IS GETTING LOW.

PLANNERS HAD USED THE SMALLER \hMARSHALL AND GILBERT ISLANDS

TO PREDICT THE NEEDS FOR SAIPAN.

\h\h\hBUT SAIPAN HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

IT’S TAKING MORE THAN \hTHREE WEEKS TO WIN.

\hEVEN AS THE NORTHERN COAST COMES INTO VIEW,

IT’S NOT COMING EASY.

\hAND THE HUMAN COST, ON BOTH SIDES, IS ABOUT TO SKYROCKET.

\hCIVILIANS ON SAIPAN FACE A FINAL, CONFUSING CHOICE.

SURRENDER YOURSELF OR KILL YOURSELF.

EMPEROR HIROHITO ENCOURAGES \h\h\hSUICIDE OVER CAPTURE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: THEY HAD BEEN PRETTY THOROUGHLY BRAINWASHED.

THEY WERE SCARED TO DEATH.

\h\h\hNarrator: WHEN THE WAR SQUEEZES REMAINING CITIZENS

\h\hTO THE WATER’S EDGE, AN UNTHINKABLE TRAGEDY UNFOLDS.

\hMan: THAT CLIFF WAS ABOUT 200 FEET DOWN TO THE ROCKS.

\hONE WOMAN HAD A LITTLE BOY AND SHE JUST FLUNG HIM OUT.

THEN, SHE JUMPED.

\hNarrator: HUNDREDS TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES

BY JUMPING,

BY GRENADE,

BY KNIFE.

\h\h\h\h\hMan: I WISH I COULDN’T SEE IT ANYMORE.

BUT I STILL CAN.

\h\h\hNarrator: SURVIVORS CLING TO A THREAD OF HOPE

- OF LIFE BEYOND WAR.

THE FINAL DAYS ON SAIPAN

\h\hARE LIKE PICKING THROUGH A MINEFIELD.

HIDDEN GROUPS OF JAPANESE, \h\h\hEVEN LONE SOLDIERS,

MAKE EVERY STEP UNCERTAIN.

AND THEY HAVE ONE MORE \h\hSURPRISE IN STORE.

[BUGLE BLARING]

Man: WOULD YOU BELIEVE A JAPANESE JUMPED OUT

AND PLAYED CHARGE ON A BUGLE?

\h\hGUYS POKED THEIR HEADS UP OUT OF THEIR FOXHOLES.

SOMEBODY SHOT HIM AND \h\hTHE BATTLE WAS ON.

[MEN CHEERING]

\h\h\h\hNarrator: SOME 3,000 JAPANESE COME OUT OF HIDING

\h\hAND RACE DIRECTLY AT THE AMERICANS IN A BANZAI CHARGE

- ONE OF THE LAST FORMS \hOF HONORABLE SUICIDE.

\hIT’S THE BIGGEST BANZAI ATTACK OF THE PACIFIC WAR.

MAJOR EDWARD MCCARTHY IS ONE OF THE FEW OFFICERS

TO SURVIVE IT.

\h\hMan: WE WERE IN THE FOXHOLES

AND THE JAPS RAN RIGHT OVER US.

IT WAS LIKE A STAMPEDE IN THE OLD WILD WEST MOVIES.

\h\hIF YOU SHOT ONE, FIVE MORE WOULD TAKE HIS PLACE.

Narrator: MEN SCRAMBLE \hTO DEFEND THEMSELVES

\h\hWITH NO SENSE OF CLEAR BATTLE LINES.

SOME AMERICAN POSITIONS ARE COMPLETELY OVERRUN.

\h\h\hMan: THIS LITTLE JAP CAME UP WITH THAT BAYONET

AND IT WENT IN MY ARM \h\hBETWEEN THE BONES.

Narrator: IT TAKES 24 HOURS FOR THE JAPANESE TO EXHAUST

THEIR FINAL ATTACK IN \hTHIS BURST OF BLOOD.

IT’S NOTHING SHORT \h\hOF A MASSACRE.

\hMANY DIE CLUTCHING THE ONLY CRUDE WEAPONS THEY HAVE LEFT.

IT’S THEIR LAST REVENGE \hON THE INVADING FORCE.

ALMOST 1,000 AMERICANS ARE KILLED OR WOUNDED

IN THIS FINAL OFFENSIVE PURGE.

SURELY, SOME OF THEM WERE \hON SAIPAN FROM THE START

\h\hAND UPON SEEING THE NORTHERN COAST,

THOUGHT THEY WERE ALMOST HOME.

ON JULY 12TH, AMERICANS \h\h\h\hDECLARE VICTORY

IN THE BATTLE FOR SAIPAN.

GENERAL HOLLAND SMITH LEADS \h\hTHE RAISING OF THE FLAG.

\h\h\hBUT MORE SOMBER CEREMONIES TAKE PLACE ALL OVER THE ISLAND.

[BUGLE BLARING]

\hAMERICANS SUFFER ALMOST 3,500 DEAD

AND MORE THAN 10,000 WOUNDED.

THIS IS A FULL 20% OF \hTHE INVASION FORCE,

ABOUT THE SAME PERCENTAGE \hAS THE BATTLE OF TARAWA

THE PREVIOUS FALL.

ADMIRAL NIMITZ REALIZES \h\hTHAT ISLAND HOPPING

ISN’T GETTING ANY EASIER.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hMan: THE ENEMY MET THE ASSAULT

WITH POINTLESS BRAVERY, \h\h\h\hINHUMAN TENACITY

AND THE WILL TO LOSE HARD.

\hNarrator: JAPAN LOSES THE ISLAND, BUT LEARNS A LESSON.

\hTHE WAY TO PROLONG THE AMERICAN ADVANCE

IS TO INFLICT LASTING PAIN.

\h\hTHEY ARE BEGINNING TO REDEFINE THE PACIFIC WAR.

THE UNITED STATES ISN’T HAPPY WITH HOW THIS BATTLE UNFOLDED.

THE SERVICES CONTINUE \hTO BLAME EACH OTHER

FOR SAIPAN’S ERRORS.

THEY HAVE LITTLE TIME TO REGROUP.

THE BATTLE FOR TWO MORE ISLANDS IN THE MARIANAS

IS ABOUT TO BEGIN - TINIAN AND GUAM.

IF SUCCESSFUL, THEY WILL HAVE AIRFIELDS

WITHIN BOMBING RANGE OF TOKYO,

IF THE B29 IS READY.

\hTHE JAPANESE EMPIRE IS BEGINNING TO CRACK.

BUT AFTER THEIR BRAVE \h\hDEFENSE OF SAIPAN,

NO ONE EXPECTS IT TO SHATTER.