June 1944

Marianas

The 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, continues to clear the division center against heavy resistance. The 8th Marines, elements of which are relieved the by 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, starts clearing the north slope of Mt Tapotchau. The 27th Division's 106th Infantry again attacks Hell's Pocket on the division left with the 1st Battalion and for the first time makes some progress in reducing it. On the division right, other elements of the 106th and the 2nd Battalion, 165th, clear further ground on Purple Heart Ridge. The 3rd Battalion of the 106th, followed by the 2nd Battalion, then drives westward across Death Valley under enemy fire. On the right flank of the corps, the 4th Marine Division gets additional elements to line O-6. Attached elements of the 165th Infantry make substantial progress on the division's left, but a gap develops and a battalion of the 24th Marines is brought forward to fill it. The Japanese decide to make their final stand on northern Saipan on a line across the island from Tanapag through Hill 221 to Tarahoha, delaying in their current positions as long as possible while the new line is being organized.

On southern Saipan, the 2nd Battalion of the 105th Infantry concludes operations against Nafutan Point, which is declared secure at 1840. 550 Japanese dead are counted. The total number estimated to have held the position exceeds 1,000, rather than the 300-500 originally thought to have been there.