Battle of Guam
On July 21, 1944, US troops landed on Guam, initiating a three-week battle to recapture the island.
The largest of the Mariana Islands, Guam had been a United States possession since its capture from Spain in 1898. However, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces took the island on December 10, 1941.
In June 1944, the Allies launched Operation Forager to capture the Mariana Islands and Palau in the Pacific. They chose Saipan, Tinian, and Guam because of their size and ability to serve as supporting bases for the next phase of operations against the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands.
The invasion of Saipan came first, on June 15. The plan was to then invade Guam on June 18; however, there was a much larger Japanese force on Saipan than expected, so the battle for Guam had to be delayed for over a month.
While the battle for Saipan continued, American naval and air forces bombarded Guam. A week before the invasion, underwater demolition teams came in and removed beach obstacles. The battle for Guam officially began on July 21, 1944, with members of the 3rdMarine Division landing at 8:29 am. The Japanese put up a stiff defense, sinking 20 US LVTs and inflicting many casualties. But the Marines pressed on and had men and tanks on two beaches by 9:00 am.
The island’s reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf made the invasion difficult, but the Allies managed to secure two beachheads 6,600 feet deep by the first night. The Japanese launched several counterattacks at night, but all were repelled with high casualties.
It was initially difficult for the Americans to get supplies, as their landing ships couldn’t come any closer than the reef. But by July 25 they joined both beachheads and then captured the Orote airfield and Apra Harbor by July 30.
By early August, the Japanese were running out of food and ammunition and sought to make a stand in the mountains. But as the Allies controlled the surrounding sea and air, all the Japanese could do was delay their inevitable defeat. The Japanese line eventually collapsed, their resistance ended on August 10, and the island was declared secure. A few Japanese soldiers remained in the jungle, including one who was discovered in 1972 after living in a cave for 28 years!
After the battle, Guam served as an Allied base with five large airfields, which were used to launch attacks on targets in the Western Pacific and Japan. Today, the people of Guam celebrate July 21 as Liberation Day.
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It is good to know that the people of Guam celebrate their Liberation Day, July 21, which is the National Holiday of Belgium as well. The country was founded following a minor revolution in 1830 directed against the Dutch king, William I, who by the 1815 decision of the international Vienna Congres had become king of the reunited 17 lowland provinces.
I recall that story of the Japanese soldier who was still living on the island until 1972. Incredible story
There was also a Japanese Soldier on Leyte who did not surrender until
1972/73. He never received orders from his superiors to surrender so
he didn’t. He thought the was was still going. He would come down from
the mountains to steal food.
My basic training company drill instructor at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the Vietnam War was a native from Guam. He was tough and demanding … but fair and caring. His assistant(s) and he constantly reminded us that their goal/mission/intent was to train us so that we would return home alive. And, although I did not see action in Vietnam, I and all military personnel at that time contributed to that war no matter where we were or what our specific role was.
A Mystic treasure you share. Thank you
A very interesting read this…