|
|---|
V. TINIAN The campaign for Tinian was a critical part of Operation FORAGER, the conquest of the Mariana Islands group. The island's 50 square miles were perfectly suited for long bomber runways in the strategic campaign against Japan. Planning for Tinian took place took place well before the operation began and continued after Saipan was declared secure on 9 July 1944. Only three miles of water separated the two islands and Tinian was clearly visible from Saipan's southern shoreline. All the infantry regiments that fought on Saipan were heavily depleted after 24 days of rugged combat. The Sixth had suffered almost 50% casualties in the fighting. With only two weeks to refit and reorganize, the 2nd MarDiv received only a limited number of replacements for the line regiments. The Saipan veterans were tired and facilities for rest and recuperation were non-existent. Training took place across the same ground they had only recently fought on. Replacements, most fresh from stateside, had to quickly learn the rudimentary survival skills to fight in their squads and platoons. J-Day for the assault on Tinian was scheduled for 24 July 1944. For almost two months prior to the landings, naval gunfire, long range artillery and aircraft pounded the island constantly. The invasion beaches on Tinian's northern shore were carefully selected for maximum surprise.
Designated White 1 and White 2, the beaches were 60 and 160 yards wide respectively. Over these narrow strips, 2 complete Marine divisions and all supporting units were required to land. On J-Day, the 4th MarDiv landed in the first and only shore-to-shore Marine amphibious assault of World War II. The landings achieved nearly complete surprise. On J+1, the 6th Marine loaded LST's at Garapan and moved to the transport area off Tinian. 2/6 landed during the night on Beach White 2 followed by 2/6 and 3/6 early in the morning of J+2. The Regiment moved into assembly areas close inland. Working with other elements of the 2nd and 4th MarDiv's, the Sixth began the drive southward.
The entire front moved rapidly on 26 July as Marine infantry and tanks overran key Japanese positions, including Ushi Airfield. On 27 July, the 2nd MarDiv advanced 2,000 yards against scattered resistance. The next two days were a race across Tinian's open cane fields. On the afternoon of J+5, the Marines halted to reorganize and reconsolidate. They had captured two-thirds of the island. Resuming the attack on 29 July, the Sixth advanced about 3,000 yards south against erratic, but increasing resistance. That night, a platoon-sized enemy force attempted to break through the Regimental lines, but was destroyed in the attempt. The weather also took a turn for the worse as the Marianas were lashed by a typhoon. The bright sunshine was replaced by drenching rain and the ground turned to mud, but the attack continued.
On J+6—30 July— the attack continued. That day, the 4th MarDiv captured Tinian Town. At 1245, the 6th Marines reached the O-7 line and dug in for the night. Ahead was the broken terrain of southern Tinian's plateau. In the center of the 2nd MarDiv lines, the 6th Marines pushed forward on J+7 to the O-8A line, but pulled back about 400 yards to better defensive positions. That night, the 8th Marines stood fast against a violent Japanese counterattack. 3/6 was attached to the Eighth at 0320 on 1 August. The attack was repulsed, but the enemy was able to retreat in good order after suffering about 200 casualties. 1/6 and 2/6 moved up onto the plateau while the 8th Marines was engaged in the fight.
At 0815 on J+8, the 6th Marines spearheaded the drive south toward Marpo Point. The Marine began encountering many Japanese and Korean civilians, some waving white flags and surrender leaflets. No Japanese troops were seen, and the Regiment was ordered to halt at 1510 and dig in short of the final objective. At 1855, Tinian was declared secure. Divisional Intelligence had predicted that enemy defenders would continue resistance during the mop-up phase of the campaign. This was confirmed early in the morning of 2 August when the command posts of 2/6 and 3/6 were attacked by a company-sized enemy force. The battalion commander of 3/6, LtCol John W. Easley, organized a makeshift defensive perimeter with his headquarters Marines and Corpsman. The issue was in doubt until a reinforcing rifle platoon of F 2/6 and a Sherman tank arrived on the scene. Among the Marine dead in the battle was LtCol Easley. He was later awarded a posthumous Silver Star for bravery in action. The Japanese attackers were completely wiped out. There were still hundreds of Japanese troops holed up in caves on Tinian's rugged southern plateau. Marines of the 2nd MarDiv had to mop-up the island, sealing enemy positions, destroying cave mouths, and killing the diehard defenders who refused to surrender. Even though Tinian was supposedly secure, there was still fighting and dying to do before the Japanese garrison was completely destroyed.
The bulk of the 2nd MarDiv, including the 6th Marines began packing up for its new camp back on Saipan. 2/6 and 3/6 departed via LST from Tinian Town on 7 August. By 13 August, the entire Regiment was staged on Saipan. But, the battle for Tinian was not yet over. Elements of the 8th Marines would continue mopping up there until January 1945.
SOURCES USED: Follow Me! The Story of the 2nd Marine Division in World War II by Richard Johnston
|
|||||||||||||
This site is owned & maintained by Mark Flowers, copyright 2004, all rights reserved.
|
On 3 August, a patrol of 2/6 was assigned to neutralize enemy positions in Tinian's southern cliffs. Among the Marines was 
