After capturing the Gilbert and
Marshall Islands, Allied troops moved west to capture Saipan,
one of Japan’s strategic strongholds. Japanese troops
numbered about 30,000, and over 80% of the 24,000 civilians
living on Saipan were Japanese.
After U.S. troops secured the island, MIS linguists risked
their lives by walking into the caves unarmed to convince
hiding soldiers and civilians to surrender.
After securing Saipan, the U.S. sent B-29 bombers on nearby
Tinian Island on raids to Japan.