In this episode, American forces on Saipan face intense Japanese resistance as they push northward toward Marpi Point. On July 6, soldiers from the Army’s 27th Infantry Division find themselves trapped in brutal combat near Tanapag and Harakiri Gulch, encountering relentless fire from deeply entrenched enemy positions. As tanks struggle against mines and ambushes, the division's momentum stalls, prompting desperate tactical decisions.

Meanwhile, the 4th Marine Division continues advancing steadily eastward, capturing crucial high ground that places further pressure on the Japanese defenders. But as darkness falls, gaps emerge in American lines, leaving troops vulnerable to infiltration. With the Japanese preparing for one last, desperate counterattack, the battle for Saipan reaches a critical turning point.

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As Marines advanced across Saipan, the naval battle for the Marianas reached a critical turning point. On June 19, despite dominating enemy aircraft in the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," American ships faced Japanese coastal artillery and nighttime air raids.

Meanwhile, Admiral Spruance launched a daring, long-range strike against retreating Japanese carriers, dealing devastating blows but suffering heavy aircraft losses. On Saipan itself, fierce ground fighting continued, with Marines battling stubborn Japanese defenses across rugged terrain, while rising tension between Marine and Army commanders foreshadowed controversial command decisions ahead.

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With Saipan’s beaches secured but far from safe, Marines now faced the brutal inland fight. The Japanese launched desperate tank assaults near Red Beach with the goal of driving Americans back into the sea. Marine bazooka teams and grenadiers met the threat head-on.

By dawn, the cost was clear: hundreds of enemy dead, rising Marine casualties, and the realization that Saipan would be a grinding, bloody fight. Reinforcements landed, artillery emplacements expanded, and command began shifting ashore. With the beachhead now stable, the Marines prepared for the next brutal push inland toward ridgelines, sugar mills, and enemy strongholds.

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