June 1944

Marianas

The 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions begin a northward attack toward the O-5 line, extending from the west coast below Garapan across Mt Tapotchau to Laulau village on the Kagman Peninsula on the east. On the west, the left flank of the 2nd Marine Division, the 2nd Marines remains in place since it is already on the O-5 line. In the center, the 6th Marines gets elements to the top of Mt Tipo Pale, about 1,200 yards southwest of the top of Mt Tapotchau, achieving the greatest division gain for the day. On the right, the 8th Marines makes slow progress toward Mt Tapotchau, which commands the entire island, over extremely difficult terrain. The 4th Marine Division attacks with the 25th Marines on the left and the 24th on the right; the 23rd is committed in the center during the day. The 25th and 23rd Regiments drive almost to the objective, while the 24th advances rapidly along the east coast. The 27th Division, less the 105th Infantry, is ordered to attack between the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions, relieving the left flank elements of the latter to permit the 4th Marine Division to shift to the east to cover the Kagman Peninsula. The 27th Division regroups units about the Nafutan position. The 3rd Battalion of the 105th Infantry shifts to the north, relieving the 1st Battalion on the right flank, while the 2nd Battalion replaces the 3rd Battalion of the 165th on the left. No advance in made against the strongpoint and a little ground is lost on the left, where relief is accomplished without difficulty. Late in the day, the 2nd Battalion of the 105th Infantry is ordered to continue the mop up of Nafutan Point, a task still believed to be an easy one.