ARMAMENT: Loading ammunition and 2,000 lb. Bombs, making inspections, and adding a few personal notes on the bombs kept ground crews busy on Saipan as Boeing B-29s of the 73rd Bomb Wing took part in the air war against Japan. 1946.

BATTLES: While two 7th AAF Aviation engineers on Saipan stand ready to shoot him when he runs, a Japanese sniper in the cane field is “flushed” by a bulldozer. The sniper was found killed. 1944.

BATTLES: Early on the morning of 26 June 1944 about 150 Japanese broke through the front lines and surrounded the 804th Engineer area on three sides immediately adjoining Aslito Airfield. In a pitched battle that lasted for several hours, the Japanese were killed almost to the last man. Men of the Counter Intelligence Corps unit examine a dead Japanese for any information of importance. 1945.

BOMB LOADING: Just a few of the thousands of heavy bombs which Superfortresses will shuttle from Saipan to Tokyo are shown in this picture of ordnance men loading a train of trailers with cargo for Saipan B-29s. These are the eggs which will make an omelet of the Japanese capitol. 1944.

CAPTURED MATERIAL: Saipan – Captured Japanese railroad engine and cars being used by the Navy Sea-Bees to haul material for airfield repair and construction. 1944.

CAPTURED MATERIAL: 318th Fighter Group and other personnel display a captured Japanese flag. The building in the background is the 19th Fighter Squadron “ready shack.” Saipan, Marianas Islands. 8 July 1944.

CEMETERIES: Saipan cemeteries, like other military burial grounds, were located in beautiful quiet spots: were meticulously tended and continuously guarded. Several 500th Bomb Group men, all buried with honors, rest here alongside men of the 27th Division who gave their lives to wrest Saipan from the Japanese. Marianas Islands.

AIRPLANES: A Piper cub (artillery observer plane) was the first plane to land on Saipan, Marianas Islands, under enemy fire. 25 June

Gunning his plane forward, a USN pilot prepares to take off from the flight deck of his carrier to drive home a blow at Japanese-held Saipan in the Marianas. All about him anti-aircraft fire add to the imminent threat of attacking Japanese planes, frantic in their efforts to fight off the impending sledge-hammer blow at their island base. 10 March 1944.

The Mariner, PBM-3D of VP-216 shown here in Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, is the first US seaplane beached there. Truck preparing to tow plane onto seaplane ramp. 10 July 1944.