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{{Short description|1944 World War II battle between the United States and Japan}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| partof            = the [[Mariana and Palau Islands campaign]] of the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theater]] ([[World War II]])
| conflict          = Battle of Tinian
| campaign          = Marianas and Palaus
| image             = A Water Buffalo, loaded with Marines, churns through the sea bound for beaches of Tinian Island near Guam. - NARA - 513181.tif
| image_size        = 300px
| caption           = An [[Landing Vehicle Tracked|LVT]] churns through the surf bound for beaches of Tinian
| date              = 24 July – 1 August 1944<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=07|day1=24|year1=1944|month2=08|day2=01|year2=1944}})
| place             = [[Tinian]], [[Mariana Islands]] (modern-day [[Northern Mariana Islands]], USA)
| result            = American victory
| combatant1        = {{flag|United States|1912}}
| combatant2        = {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
| commander1        = {{ubl | [[Harry Schmidt (USMC)|Harry Schmidt]] | [[Thomas E. Watson (USMC)|Thomas E. Watson]] | [[Clifton B. Cates]] }}
| commander2        = {{ubl | [[Kiyochi Ogata]]{{KIA}} | [[Kakuji Kakuta]]{{KIA}} | [[Goichi Oie]]{{KIA}} }}
| units1            = {{tree list}}
* [[V Amphibious Corps]]
** [[2nd Marine Division]]
** [[4th Marine Division]]
** [[XXIV Corps (United States)|XXIV Corps Artillery]]
{{tree list/end}}
| units2            = * 50th Infantry Regiment
* 56th Naval Guard Force
| strength1         = 40,000
| strength2         = 9,000
| casualties1       = '''Ashore''':{{ubl | 290 killed | 1,515 wounded | 24 missing}}'''Afloat''':{{ubl|63 killed | 177 wounded }}
| casualties2       = {{ubl | 5,745 dead | 404 captured }}
| casualties3       = 2,610 civilians dead
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Marianas and Palaus}}
}}

The '''Battle of Tinian''' was part of the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]] of [[World War II]]. It was fought between the United States and Japan on the island of [[Tinian]] in the [[Mariana Islands]] from 24 July until 1 August 1944. The battle saw [[napalm]] used for the first time.

At the [[Cairo Conference]] in December 1943, the US and British [[Combined Chiefs of Staff]] endorsed a  two-pronged attack through the [[Central Pacific Area|Central Pacific]] and [[Southwest Pacific Area]]s. On 12 March 1944, the Commander in Chief, [[Pacific Ocean Areas]], [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Chester W. Nimitz]], was directed to neutralize [[Chuuk State|Truk]] and occupy the Mariana Islands. The Mariana Islands were targeted because of their location astride the Japanese [[line of communications]]. Tinian lay too close to Saipan to allow it to be bypassed and remain in Japanese hands. Following the conclusion of the [[Battle of Saipan]] on 9 July, [[Major general (United States)|Major General]] [[Harry Schmidt (USMC)|Harry Schmidt]]'s [[V Amphibious Corps]] began preparations to invade nearby Tinian. The Japanese defending the island were commanded by [[Colonel]] [[Kiyochi Ogata]], the commander of the 50th Infantry Regiment. This regiment was part of the 5,000 Army troops on the island. There were also about 4,000 [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] personnel on Tinian, the main force being the 56th Naval Guard Force, under the command of [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[Goichi Oie]]. Most of the island was surrounded by coral cliffs, so Ogata concentrated his forces on the southwest of the island, where the best landing beaches were located.

Major General [[Clifton B. Cates]]'s [[4th Marine Division]] landed on Tinian on 24 July 1944, supported by naval bombardment and the guns of the [[XXIV Corps (United States)|XXIV Corps Artillery]], firing across the strait from Saipan. Instead of landing in the southwest, they landed on the northwest coast, where there were two small beaches that were lightly defended. These beaches were flanked by low coral cliffs that the marines were able to surmount with the aid of ramps mounted on modified [[Landing Vehicle Tracked|amphibious tractors]] (LVTs). A successful feint in the southwest by Major General [[Thomas E. Watson (USMC)|Thomas E. Watson]]'s [[2nd Marine Division]] distracted defenders from the actual landing site on the north of the island. The 2nd Marine Division then landed behind the 4th Marine Division. The weather worsened on 28 July, damaging the pontoon causeways and interrupting the unloading of supplies, but on 30 July the 4th Marine Division occupied Tinian Town and the airfield. Japanese remnants conducted a last stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the south portion of the island. Although the island was declared secure on 1 August, mopping up patrols continued into 1945.

[[Tinian Naval Base|Tinian became an important base]] for further US operations in the Pacific. [[North Field (Tinian)|North Field]] became operational in February 1945 and [[West Field (Tinian)|West Field]] in March. The [[Seabees]] built six {{convert|8500|ft|adj=on}} runways for the [[Twentieth Air Force]]'s [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] bombers. Bombers based on Tinian took part in the [[bombing of Tokyo]] in March 1945 and the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] in August 1945.

==Background==
[[File:Map of the Battle of Tinian (1944).svg|thumb|right|Map of the battle]]
===Strategy===
After [[World War I]], the United States had developed a series of contingency plans for the event of a war with Japan known as the [[Plan Orange|Orange plans]]. These envisaged an advance through the [[Marshall Islands|Marshall]] and [[Caroline Islands]] to the Philippines, from whence Japan could be blockaded. The [[Mariana Islands]] figured only incidentally in the plans, as they lay north of the direct route between Hawaii and the Philippines.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=2–3}} During [[World War II]], the islands attracted the attention of naval and air strategists. At the [[Casablanca Conference]] in January 1943, the US and British [[Combined Chiefs of Staff]] had endorsed an offensive in the Central Pacific along the lines envisaged in the Orange plans. In his formulation of the strategy, the Commander in Chief, [[United States Fleet]], [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Ernest J. King]],{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=6–7}}{{sfn|Hayes|1982|p=280}} specifically mentioned the Mariana Islands as "the key to the situation because of their location on the Japanese [[line of communications]]."{{sfn|Aandahl|Franklin|Slany|1958|p=549}}

The [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] envisaged the Marianas as a naval base,{{sfn|Cate|1953|pp=17–19}} but another rationale for the capture of the Mariana Islands emerged with the development of the long-range [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] bomber.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=11–12}} From the Mariana Islands, the B-29s could reach all the most significant industrial targets in Japan, and they could be supported by sea.{{sfn|Cate|1953|p=547}} The air staff planners began incorporating the Mariana Islands into their long-range plans in September 1943.{{sfn|Cate|1953|pp=17–19}} The Combined Chiefs endorsed this at the [[Cairo Conference]] in December, along with a two-pronged offensive, with the Central Pacific drive in conjunction with one along the north coast of [[New Guinea]].{{sfn|Franklin|Gerber|1961|p=780}} In response, the Commander in Chief, [[Pacific Ocean Areas]] (CINCPOA), Admiral [[Chester W. Nimitz]], produced a campaign plan called Operation Granite, which tentatively scheduled the capture of Mariana Islands of [[Saipan]], [[Tinian]] and [[Guam]] for November 1944 as the culmination of the Central Pacific campaign.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=12–13}}

By February 1944, there was consideration of advancing the Operation Granite timetable by bypassing [[Chuuk State|Truk]] and heading directly for [[Palau]] or the Marianas after the capture of the Marshall Islands. On 7 March, Nimitz and his Deputy Chief of Staff, [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[Forrest P. Sherman]] met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC, where they were questioned by the [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]], [[General (United States)|General]] [[George C. Marshall]], and the [[Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief]], Admiral [[William D. Leahy]]. Sherman argued that the neutralization of Truk required the occupation of the Mariana Islands to cut the air route to Truk from Japan. On 12 March, the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed Nimitz to neutralize Truk and occupy the Mariana Islands.{{sfn|Hayes|1982|pp=555–560}}

Tinian was considered a target from the outset,{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=271}}{{sfn|Morison|1953|p=353}} [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Holland M. Smith]]'s Northern Troops and Landing Force (NTLF) was ordered to "land on, seize, occupy and defend Saipan. Then be prepared to seize Tinian on order."{{sfn|Schmidt|1944|p=2}} The American forces assaulted Saipan on 15 June.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=78–85}} The [[Battle of Saipan]] lasted until 9 July, when the island was declared "secured". The cost was high: 14,111 of the 71,034 NTLF personnel were killed, wounded or [[missing in action]]. Mopping up operations continued until October,{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=264–265}} but preparations began immediately for the attack on Tinian.{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|pp=7–8}}

Plans to capture Tinian were prepared concurrently with those to capture Saipan.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=271}}{{sfn|Schmidt|1944|p=2}} Tinian lay only {{convert|3.5|mi}} from the southern tip of Saipan,{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=269}} and its proximity to Saipan meant that while it remained in Japanese hands, Japanese aircraft could attack Saipan by staging though Tinian. The garrison might raid Saipan,{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=37}} and they could observe ship and aircraft movements on Saipan and communicate them to Tokyo.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=5}} 

Tinian also had value in its own right, as its flat terrain made it highly suitable for the development of air bases. There were already airfields that looked promising for development into B-29 airfields.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=37}} [[North Field (Tinian)|Ushi Point Airfield]] (Airfield No. 1) was the main airfield; it had a hard-surfaced runway {{convert|4750|ft}} long. Two other airfields were in use and another was under construction:{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=4–7}} Airfield No. 3, which lay immediately south of no.1;{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=42}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=382}} Airfield No. 2, at [[West Field (Tinian)|Gurguan Point]];{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=90}} and the unfinished Airfield No. 4 near [[Tinian Town]].{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=97}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=405}}
===Geography===
Along with the other Mariana Islands, Tinian was claimed for Spain by [[Miguel López de Legazpi]] in 1565. Guam was seized by the United States in the [[Spanish-American War]], and Spain sold the remaining islands to Germany. They were occupied by Japan during World War I and became part of Japan's [[South Seas Mandate]].{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=2}}{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=149–151}} Tinian lay just {{convert|3+1/2|mi|-1}} from the southern tip of Saipan.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=271}} It covered about {{convert|50|sqmi}}, measuring {{convert|10+1/4|mi|-1}} from north to south, and {{convert|5|mi|sigfig=1}} across at its widest point. The terrain was generally low and flat, making it suitable for airfields. There were two hills in the north: the {{convert|390|ft|adj=on}} Mount Maga and the {{convert|564|ft|adj=on}} Mount Lasso. There was also a rugged {{convert|580|ft|adj=on}} [[limestone]] hill mass of cliffs and ravines in the south. About 90 percent of the island (approximately  {{convert|15000|acre|-3}}) was covered in [[sugar cane]] fields. The square fields gave the island a [[checker board]] look from the air. Fields were surrounded by drainage ditches or [[windbreak]]s of trees or [[hedgerow]]s.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=4–7}}{{sfn|Rottman|2002|p=380}}

[[File:White Beach 1 on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Oblique photograph of White Beach 1 taken before naval gunfire, artillery, air and bulldozers altered its appearance.]]
Most of the island was encircled by jagged limestone cliffs that ranged from {{convert|6|to|100|ft|sigfig=1}} high. There were only a few beaches, which the Americans designated by colors.{{sfn|Rottman|2002|p=380}} The best beaches were around Sunharon Bay in the southeast: Blue Beach, {{convert|1|mi}} south of Tinian Town, was {{convert|600|yd}} long; Green Beach One, located between the two piers at Tinian Town, was also {{convert|600|yd}} long; Green Beach Two, at the southern end of Tinian Town, was {{convert|400|yd}} long; Red Beach One and Two were north of the piers, with a combined width of {{convert|825|yd}}; and Orange Beach, {{convert|1/2|mi}} north of Red Beach One, was {{convert|340|yd}} long.{{sfn|Dyer|1969|pp=952–954}}

There were two beaches on the east coast at Asiga Bay: the {{convert|355|yd|adj=on}} Yellow Beach One and the {{convert|200|yd|adj=on}} Yellow Beach Two. These were flanked by cliffs and subject to heavy surf when there was an easterly wind. There were also two small beaches on the northwest coast: the {{convert|65|to|75|yd|adj=on}} White Beach One and the {{convert|200|yd|adj=on}} White Beach Two. The small size of the White and Yellow beaches made them unattractive: a [[division (military)|division]] normally required a landing beach {{convert|1000|yd}} long.{{sfn|Dyer|1969|pp=952–954}}

[[File:White Beach 2.jpg|thumb|right|Oblique photograph of White Beach 2]]
There was little seasonal variation in temperature, which ranged from an average of {{convert|76|F|C}} in January to {{convert|80|F|C}} in June, but the average humidity in those months was 78 and 84 percent, respectively. Fair weather prevailed during the dry season from November to March, but the wet season from April to November was characterized by frequent rains and occasional [[typhoon]]s. Sunharon Bay was little more than an anchorage, and was unusable in rough weather.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=4–7}}

According to a 1 January 1944 census, Tinian had a population of 18,000 Japanese civilians, most of whom worked in the sugar cane industry, and 26 ethnic [[Chamorro people]]; most of the original population had been forcibly removed to other islands. The main settlements were Tinian Town in the south and two small villages around Ushi Point Airfield in the north. The former was the administrative center of the island, while the latter housed airfield workers. The primary road network consisted of roads approximately {{convert|18|ft}} wide and surfaced with crushed coral. They were generally straight, following the edges of the cane fields.  Approximately {{convert|40|mi}} of [[narrow gauge railway]]s connected the sugar plantations with Tinian Town.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=4–7}} 

==Opposing forces and plans==
{{Further|Battle of Tinian order of battle|Central Marianas naval order of battle}}
===Japanese===
The senior Japanese officer on Tinian was [[Vice Admiral]] [[Kakuji Kakuta]], the commander of [[First Air Fleet]]. His headquarters was in [[Manila]] but he was on Tinian on an inspection tour when US aerial operations in the Marianas Islands began on 11 June and became cut off. He exercised no command authority over the army troops on the island, and the naval troops were not subject to his direct command.{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|p=31}}

[[File:Japanese defense sectors and dispositions on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Japanese defense sectors and dispositions of major units]]
The Imperial Japanese Army force defending the island was the 50th Infantry Regiment, commanded by [[Colonel]] [[Kiyochi Ogata]]. This was part of the [[29th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|29th Division]], all the rest of which was located on Guam. The regiment was formerly based at [[Mukden]] in China, and had moved to Tinian in March 1944. It had three infantry battalions, a mountain artillery battalion with twelve 75mm guns, an anti-tank company with six [[Type 1 37 mm anti-tank gun|37 mm anti-tank gun]]s, and a company of the [[18th Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)|18th Infantry Regiment]] with twelve light tanks. The 1st Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, under the command of Captain Bunzo Izumi. Part of the [[43rd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|43rd Division]], it had been formed in Nagoya in July 1943. It was normally based on Saipan, but was conducting amphibious landing exercises on Tinian on 11 June and became cut off when Saipan was invaded. It provided a fourth infantry battalion that Ogata incorporated into the island's defense.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=7–9}}<ref>{{cite web |trans-title=Battle of Tinian: The Island of Suicide |title=玉砕の島テニアン戦記 |first=Tatsuo |last=Watanabe |publisher=Japanese Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates |language=Japanese |url=https://www.heiwakinen.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/archive/library/roukunote/onketsu/04/O_04_185_1.pdf |access-date=6 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |trans-title=Tinian Island War Chronicles: Surviving Without Surrender |last=Ogawa |first=-Yoneji |title=テニアン島戦記 降伏せず生き抜 |language=Japanese |publisher=Japanese Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates |url=https://www.heiwakinen.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/archive/library/roukunote/onketsu/13/O_13_496_1.pdf |access-date=6 August 2024 }}</ref>  The Army forces on Tinian totaled about 5,000 men.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=156}} Most were well-trained combat veterans with prior combat experience in the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|war in China]]. They were skilled in camouflage and the use of their weapons.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=359}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=125}} They were well-equipped, in many cases with new weapons,{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=23}} and their morale was high.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=12}}

The main Imperial Japanese Navy force on Tinian was the 56th Naval Guard Force ({{lang|ja|Keibitai}}), under the command of [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[Goichi Oie]]. He accepted Ogata as the commander on Tinian, but to avoid embarrassment, he did not inform his subordinates that their orders came from an Army officer.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=20–21}} His force of 1,400 troops and 600 laborers was equipped with three 6-inch and ten 140 mm coast defence guns, and ten [[Type 10 120 mm AA gun|120 mm]] and four 76.2 mm general purpose guns, twenty-four 25 mm and six 7&nbsp;cm antiaircraft guns, and three 12&nbsp;cm dual-purpose guns. Along with airfield construction crews, flight technicians and staff, there were about 4,000 sailors of various units on Tinian.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=7–9}}{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=20}} Most of the naval personnel had some training as infantry.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=359}} In addition, there were three civilian defence organizations of little military value, the Civilian Militia, the Home Guard Organization, and Youth Organization,  and about sixty [[comfort women]], none of whom survived the battle.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=20–21}}

After Saipan had fallen on 9 July, the prospects for the garrison of Tinian were grim.{{sfn|Morison|1953|p=358}} Ogata expected that Tinian would be the next target, and on 25 June he issued a operational order that announced: "the enemy on Saipan... can be expected to be planning a landing on Tinian. The area of that landing is estimated to be either Tinian Harbor or Asiga (northeast coast) Harbor."{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=12}} He adhered to the Japanese doctrine of defense against amphibious attacks at the water's edge.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=12–16}} Each of the sector commanders was ordered to "be prepared to destroy the enemy at the beach, but be prepared to shift two-thirds of the force elsewhere."{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=14}}

Ogata was aided by the geography of Tinian, which limited the possible landing sites. He positioned the 3rd Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment and most of the heavy weapons of the 56th Naval Guard Force, around Sunharon Bay beaches. The Northern Sector around Asiga Bay was covered by the 2nd Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment. He did not expect anything more than a raid on the beaches in the west, so this was assigned to the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment. The rest of the 1st Battalion was dug in around Mount Lasso. The 1st Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment formed a mobile counterattack force, along with the tanks and a mobile artillery contingent of twelve [[Type 94 75 mm mountain gun]]s. The reserve was positioned so as to quickly reach either the Sunharon Bay or Asiga bay, depending on where the Americans made their main effort.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=12–16}}{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=21–23}}

===United States===
[[File:80-G-284248 Tinian Flag Raising Ceremonies, August 1944.jpg|thumb|right|Senior US commanders on Tinian. Left to right: Rear Admiral [[Harry W. Hill (admiral)|Harry W. Hill]], Major General [[Harry Schmidt (USMC)|Harry Schmidt]], Admiral [[Raymond A. Spruance]], Lieutenant General [[Holland M. Smith]], Vice Admiral [[Richmond K. Turner]], Major General [[Thomas E. Watson (USMC)|Thomas E. Watson]] and Major General [[Clifton B. Cates]] ]]
The American forces were part of Admiral [[Raymond A. Spruance]]'s [[Fifth Fleet]]. The Joint Amphibious Forces (Task Force 51) were led by [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]] [[Richmond K. Turner]] and the expeditionary troops (Task Force 56) by Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=239}} For the battle of Saipan, Turner had concurrently commanded the landing force (Task Force 52) and Smith had also commanded the NTLF and [[V Amphibious Corps]], but with simultaneous operations on Guam in prospect, it was desirable for these roles to be separated. On 12 July, Smith became the commander of the newly established [[Fleet Marine Force, Pacific]] and handed over command of the V Amphibious Corps and NTLF (Task Group 56.1) to [[Major general (United States)|Major General]] [[Harry Schmidt (USMC)|Harry Schmidt]]. Command of the amphibious forces in the Tinian operation (Task Force 52) was entrusted to Turner's former deputy, Rear Admiral [[Harry W. Hill (admiral)|Harry W. Hill]], on 15 July. Although Turner and Smith remained in command of Task Forces 51 and 56 respectively, they sailed for Guam on 20 July, leaving the operation entirely in the hands of Hill and Schmidt.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=365}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=20}}

For the Tinian operation, the V Amphibious Corps had the [[2nd Marine Division]], commanded by Major General [[Thomas E. Watson (USMC)|Thomas E. Watson]] and the [[4th Marine Division]], which was commanded by Major General [[Clifton B. Cates]], who had succeeded Schmidt. Both had seen service earlier in the Pacific War: the 2nd Marine Division on [[Guadalcanal campaign|Guadalcanal]] and [[Battle of Tarawa|Tarawa]], and the 4th Marine Division in the [[Battle of Kwajalein]],{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=23–24}} and had participated in the recent fighting on Saipan, where they had incurred 6,170 and 6,612 battle casualties respectively.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=57}} They had absorbed a single replacement draft of 1,268 men before the fighting began again on Tinian,{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=365}} but remained understength, and much of their equipment had been worn out through combat and hard use.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=57}}

The V Amphibious Corps had the support of Brigadier General [[Arthur M. Harper]]'s [[XXIV Corps (United States)|XXIV Corps]] Artillery with its two battalions of [[155 mm gun M1|155 mm gun]]s and two battalions of [[M114 155 mm howitzer|155 mm howitzer]]s.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=241–242}} For the Tinian operation, Harper also had command of the four battalions of the [[27th Infantry Division (United States)|27th Infantry Division]] Artillery and five Marine Corps [[M101 howitzer|105 mm howitzer]] battalions, two each from the two marine divisions and one from the V Amphibious Corps, for a total of thirteen battalions,{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=276–277}} each of which had twelve guns or howitzers.{{sfn|Stanton|1984|pp=29–30}} The rest of the 27th Infantry Division, except for the [[105th Infantry Regiment (United States)|105th Infantry]], was in reserve, but on four hours' notice to embark for Tinian.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=276–277}}

[[File:Japanese fixed gun positions on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Japanese fixed gun positions on Tinian]]
American intelligence about Tinian and the Japanese defenses there was excellent.{{sfn|Moore|1998|pp=81–82}} The Joint Intelligence Center Pacific Ocean Area (JICPOA), under the command of Brigadier General Joseph J. Twitty, assembled intelligence obtained from [[imagery intelligence]], [[human intelligence]] and reference information, backed up by [[Ultra (cryptography)|Ultra]] intelligence derived from [[code breaking]] and [[signals intelligence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=H-032-1 Operation Forager and the Battle of Philippine Sea |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-032/h-032-1.html |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806070936/https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-032/h-032-1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  JICPOA produced a report on Tinian's [[hydrography]] and [[geography]] on 10 May 1944, that also detailed the locations of many of the defenses, and issued a series of topographic maps. A series of oblique aerial photographs were taken of Tinian's beaches. The headquarters of the Japanese [[Thirty-First Army (Japan)|31st Army]] on Saipan was overrun in mid-June, and captured documents provided a full [[order of battle]] of the Japanese forces on Tinian.{{sfn|Moore|1998|pp=81–82}} The Americans estimated the strength of the Japanese garrison as 8,039, which was quite accurate.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=279}} The XXIV Corps Artillery began bombarding Tinian on 20 June, even as the fighting on Saipan continued, and its Saipan-based observation aircraft conducted daily flights over Tinian.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=271}}

The intelligence reports revealed that the best landing beaches were around Sunharon Bay, but they were also the most heavily defended. The staff of the 4th Marine Division, particularly the plans officer, Lieutenant Colonel [[Evans F. Carlson]], preferred to land in the north, where the beaches were poorer but the defenses were weaker and tactical surprise could be attained. Independently, Hill's staff arrived at the same conclusion.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=272}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=20–21, 161–162}} Turner was not convinced. "If we go ashore at Tinian Town," Smith told him, "we'll have another Tarawa. Sure as hell! The Japs will murder us. What's more, we probably will be repulsed, and that will upset our entire timetable. What do you say to that?"{{sfn|Smith|1989|p=206}}

[[File:Cliffs between the White beaches.jpg|thumb|right|The low cliffs between the two White beaches]]
Turner noted that the Sunharon Bay beaches had good gradients and inland approaches, that there was a protected harbor for small craft, and facilities for unloading supplies. Whereas the northern beaches were too small to land and support a force of the size contemplated, and were exposed to the weather, so if it turned bad the movement of supplies from Saipan could be obstructed or halted. An advance from north to south would likely take longer than one from east to west, and while artillery support from Saipan would be available in the early stages, unfavorable weather could prevent it being moved to Tinian to cover the advance once it moved further south.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=272}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=20–21, 161–162}}

In view of these objections, Schmidt ordered a reconnaissance of the Yellow and White Beaches. On the night of 10/11 July, Companies A and B of Captain [[James L. Jones Sr.|James L. Jones]]'s [[United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion|V Amphibious Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion]] and [[Underwater Demolition Team]]s 5 and 7 set out in the [[high-speed transport]]s {{USS|Gilmer|APD-11|6}} and {{USS|Stringham|APD-6|2}}. They were launched in rubber boats and paddled to within {{convert|500|yd}} of the shore, then swam the rest of the way. The underwater demolition teams investigated the offshore reefs while the marines swam ashore and studied the beaches. Yellow Beach 1 was found to be strung with a double apron [[wire obstacle]], with cliffs to the south that were {{convert|20|to|25|ft}} high and unscalable without ladders or [[cargo net]]s.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=272–274}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=22}}{{sfn|Jones|1944|loc=Annex E}}

[[File:USMC 87615 Marines load supplies aboard two LSTs in preparation for the assault on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Marines load supplies aboard two [[Landing Ship, Tank|LSTs]] in preparation for the assault on Tinian]]
A strong current was encountered by the groups sent to reconnoitre the White Beaches, and the rubber boats wound up too far north. Consequently, the reconnaissance of White Beach 1 was carried out by the group intended to land on White Beach 2, and that of White Beach 2 had to be carried out the following night. They found that although White Beach 1 was only {{convert|60|yd}} long, the cliffs for {{convert|150|yd}} on either side were only {{convert|6|to|10|ft}} high with small breaks, and could be negotiated by infantry without ladders or nets. Only the central {{convert|70|yd}} of White Beach 2 could be reached by amphibian vehicles. Both White Beaches had gentle grades and it was possible for [[LCVP (United States)|LCVP]]s to land on the reef {{convert|50|yd}} from the beach and for infantry to wade ashore from there.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=272–274}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=22}}{{sfn|Jones|1944|loc=Annexes C and D}}

With this information in hand, a conference was held on board Turner's flagship, the {{USS|Rocky Mount||6}}, on 12 July. Schmidt made the case for a landing on the White Beaches, citing six factors: (1) that a landing at Sunharon Bay would be too costly; (2) that the XXIV Corps Artillery could cover the beaches from Saipan; (3) the airfield at Ushi Point could be quickly captured and utilized; (4) tactical surprise could be attained; (5) the whole operation could be conducted from Saipan as a shore-to-shore movement; and (6) supplies could be preloaded on vehicles and driven straight to dumps, thereby avoiding congestion on the beaches.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|pp=272–274}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=23}} Spruance called for a vote, in order of seniority, and Watson, Schmidt, Hill and Smith voted for the White Beach plan. To Spruance's relief, Turner agreed to make the decision unanimous.{{sfn|Dyer|1969|pp=956–957}} On 20 July, Spruance confirmed the day of the assault, J-Day (or Jig-Day, using the [[spelling alphabet|phonetic alphabet]] of the time), as 24 July. Hill then chose 0730 as [[H-Hour]].{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=24}}

==Battle==
===Bombardment===
[[File:80-G-253605 USS Iowa fires a salvo during the bombardment of Tinian.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Iowa|BB-61|6}} fires a salvo from number 2 16" turret during the bombardment of Tinian on 14–15 June]]
Artillery bombardment of Tinian commenced on 20 June when Battery B of the 531st Field Artillery Battalion began shelling targets on Tinian with its 155 mm "Long Tom" guns. In the days leading up to the landing, the XXIV Corps Artillery used 24,536 rounds on 1,509 [[counter-battery fire]], [[harassing fire]] and [[area bombardment]] missions.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=361}} The XXIV Corps Artillery had its own observation aircraft, nine [[Piper L-4 Grasshopper]]s based at [[Aslito Field]] on Saipan. One was forced to ditch off Tinian Town on 28 July due to engine failure. The crew was rescued by the [[cruiser]] {{USS|Louisville|CA-28|6}} but the aircraft was lost. Another was forced down by Japanese fire the following day but landed safely behind American lines.{{sfn|Raines|2000|p=251}}{{sfn|Bosworth|1944|loc=Air Officer's Report}} The Marine artillery had the support of the [[Stinson OY Sentinel]] observation aircraft of [[VMO-2]] and [[VMO-4]].{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=364}}

The US [[naval bombardment]] commenced on 13 June, with the fire support ships of Task Force 52 engaging targets on Tinian that could interfere with operations on Saipan. On 25 June, the [[destroyer escort]] {{USS|Elden|DE-264|6}} and [[destroyer]] {{USS|Bancroft|DD-598|6}} detected Japanese barges attempting to leave Sunharon Harbor and destroyed them. The bombardment was stepped up on 26 June, when the cruisers {{USS|Indianapolis|CA-35|6}}, {{USS|Birmingham|CL-62|2}} and {{USS|Montpelier|CL-57|2}} began a week of systematic attacks. On 23 July, the day before the landing, three [[battleship]]s, five cruisers and sixteen destroyers participated in the bombardment.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=362}} The battleship {{USS|Colorado|BB-45|6}} engaged the three 140 mm coast defense guns at Faibus San Hilo Point, which could [[enfilade]] the White Beaches from [[defilade]] of the artillery on Saipan. Sixty 16-inch shells completely destroyed the battery.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=359–360}} Meanwhile, the battleships {{USS|Tennessee|BB-43|6}} and {{USS|California|BB-44|2}} fired 480 14-inch and 800 5-inch rounds into Tinian Town, reducing it to rubble.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=359–360}}

[[File:80-G-432851 TBM Avenger bombers prepare to take off from USS Monterey (CVL-26) to attack targets on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|[[TBM Avenger]] bombers prepare to take off from the {{USS|Monterey|CVL-26|6}} to attack targets on Tinian]]
The bombardment lifted for three periods of 40 to 60 minutes to allow for [[aerial bombardment]]. At least 200 [[sortie]]s were flown from the [[aircraft carrier]]s {{USS|Essex|CV-9|6}} and {{USS|Langley|CVL-27|2}}, and another 50 or more from the [[escort carrier]]s {{USS|Gambier Bay|CVE-73|6}} and {{USS|Kitkun Bay|CVE-71|2}}. Aslito Field-based Army Air Force [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]]s of the [[318th Fighter Group]] flew more than 100 sorties.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=359–360}} The group's [[19th Fighter Squadron]] had arrived on Saipan on 22 June after being catapulted from the escort carriers {{USS|Manila Bay|CVE-61|6}} and {{USS|Natoma Bay|CVE-62|2}}, and had flown its first mission over Tinian that day.{{sfn|Olson|Mortensen|1950|pp=690–691}} Attempts by destroyers to burn wooded areas with [[white phosphorus]] and [[thermite]] on 18 and 19 July failed due to the wet foliage, so [[napalm]] was tried for the first time. The 318th Fighter Group flew 18 napalm sorties, but results were inconclusive, as the best mixture had not yet been devised, but it had some success setting the canefields alight.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=361}}

On J-Day, 24 July, a [[feint]] was made to distract the defenders from the actual landing site.{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|p=76}} This was carried out by the [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd]] and [[8th Marines]] of the 2nd Marine Division. The [[attack transport]]s {{USS|Calvert|APA-32|6}}, {{USS|Fuller|APA-7|2}}, {{USS|Heywood|APA-6|2}}, {{USS|J. Franklin Bell|APA-16|2}} and {{USS|Knox|APA-46|2}} and [[troopship]]s {{USS|John Land|AP-167|2}} and {{USS|Winged Arrow|AP-170|2}} took them to a point about {{convert|4|mi}} offshore from Tinian Town, where they boarded landing craft using cargo nets, and then climbed back again. The empty landing craft then made a run for the shore until Japanese shore batteries started firing at them. The landing craft regrouped and made a second run, but turned back again {{convert|400|yd}} from the beach. Around 10:00 the transports recovered the landing craft, and headed for the transport area off the White Beaches.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=378}}

While covering the feint, ''Colorado'' and the destroyer {{USS|Norman Scott|DD-690|2}} were hit by the three Japanese 6-inch guns, which were concealed in caves {{convert|3500|yd}} southwest of the Tinian Town pier. ''Colorado'' was hit twenty-two times, killing 43 men and wounding 198. ''Norman Scott'' was hit six times, killing the captain, Commander Seymore Owens and 18 of his men and wounding 47. ''Colorado'', the cruiser {{USS|Cleveland|CL-55|2}} and the destroyer {{USS|Remey|DD-688|2}} silenced the battery, but did not destroy it; this was accomplished on 28 July by ''Tennessee'', with 70 14-inch and 150 5-inch rounds.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=361–362}}

===Landing===
[[File:Amphibious tractors move in and out - Tinian.jpg|thumb|right|Men wade ashore from landing craft while LVTs move to and from the beachhead. In the background are ships that took part in the landing.]]
The majority of the ships for the assault of Tinian were loaded at [[Tanapag Harbor]] on Saipan by troops of the Saipan Island Command. Ten preloaded [[tank landing ship]]s (LSTs) with three and a half days' supply of water, rations, medical supplies and ammunition on their top decks were allocated to each division and eight to the NTLF.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}} Fourteen [[pontoon boat|pontoon barge]]s were loaded with drums of fuel and towed to positions off the reef to supply fuel to amphibious vehicles and [[landing craft]].{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=372}} After the initial landing, loaded trucks and trailers were embarked on landing craft, which shuttled them to Tinian where they unloaded at dumps and then returned on landing craft. Twenty [[landing craft mechanized]] (LCMs), ten [[landing craft tank]] (LCTs) and eight LSTs were assigned to this role, along with 88 [[2½-ton 6×6 truck]]s and 25 trailers.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=372}}

Marine divisions each had two battalions of [[M116 howitzer|75 mm pack howitzer]]s and two of 105 mm howitzers. The latter remained behind on Saipan, but the 4th Marine Division was given the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the [[10th Marines]], so it had four battalions of 75 mm pack howitzers. Two amphibious truck ([[DUKW]]) companies were assigned to move them ashore quickly.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=25}} Each battalion was carried in an LST.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}} Tanks were loaded onto LCMs. Eighteen of the LCMs, each carrying one tank, were each embarked on the [[dock landing ships]] (LSDs) {{USS|Ashland|LSD-1|6}} and {{USS|Belle Grove|LSD-2|2}}.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=372}} Another ten tank-carrying LCMs sailed to Tinian under their own power.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=373}}

[[File:Landing on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Landing on Tinian]]
The marines left their packs behind on Saipan and landed with [[coveralls]], [[M1 helmet]]s with camouflage covers, weapons, emergency rations, a spoon, a spare pair of socks, a poncho and insect repellent.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}}{{sfn|Morison|1953|p=362}} The assault troops were carried ashore in the 415 [[Landing Vehicle Tracked|amphibious tractors]] (LVTs) of the Marine Corps's [[2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion|2nd]], 5th and 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalions and the Army's 534th, 715th and 773rd Amphibian Tractor Battalions. Fire support was provided by the Company D of the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion; only one company could be employed due to the narrowness of the beaches.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=275}} The shore party for White Beach 1 was provided by the Army's 1341st Engineer Combat Battalion and that of White Beach 2 by the 2nd Battalion, [[20th Marines]].{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=373}}

Captain [[Paul J. Halloran]], the NTLF Construction Officer, designed a landing ramp that could be carried by an LVT. This creation was named a "Doodlebug". The Doodlebugs allowed vehicles to scale the low cliffs around the White Beaches. The Doodlebug drove up to the cliff face, firmly attached hooks to the cliff tops and then backed away from under the ramps, leaving them in place, with the other end falling into the water. The ramp crews checked that the ramps were firmly anchored and then the Doodlebugs drove over them to the top of the cliffs. The ramps were strong enough to hold the weight of a {{convert|35|ST|t|adj=on}} medium tank. Ten were built, of which six were used in the assault, carried to Tinian by ''Ashland''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Doodlebug |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/seabee/explore/online-reading-room/seabee-faqs/the-doodlebugs.html |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331170904/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/seabee/explore/online-reading-room/seabee-faqs/the-doodlebugs.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}}

[[File:Doodlebug portable ramp.jpg|thumb|right|Demonstration of the Doodlebug on Saipan]]
Cates assigned the [[24th Marines]] to land on White Beach 1 one battalion at a time, starting with the 2nd Battalion, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the [[25th Marines]] landed on White Beach 2. The [[23rd Marines]] was in reserve.{{sfn|Crowl|1960|p=275}} The first wave of LVTs, consisting of eight LVTs for White Beach 1 and sixteen for White Beach 2, left the [[line of departure]] at 07:17 followed at close intervals by fourteen more waves. Eight LVTs carried a rifle [[company (military unit)|company]] of about 200 men. No more than four LVTs could beach at the one time on White Beach 1, so the other four nosed up against the {{convert|3|to|10|ft|adj=on|0}} coral cliffs and the marines clambered over them. Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, was first ashore there. It was opposed by a small number of Japanese defenders in crevices and a cave, who were eliminated after a brief action, allowing the rest of the 2nd Battalion and the shore party of the 1341st Engineer Battalion to land unopposed.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=362–363}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=379–384}}

Two [[pillbox (military)|pillbox]]es guarded White Beach 2, which were bypassed by the first waves, but reduced by later ones; fifty dead Japanese were found inside. Both beaches had mines; none exploded on White Beach 1, where they had been allowed to deteriorate, but the area around White Beach 2 was sown with anti-boat mines on the beach and anti-personnel mines ashore, which the [[underwater demolition team]]s (UDTs), bomb disposal teams and engineers took until 13:37 to clear. Three LVTs were disabled by mines when they ventured inland from White Beach 2.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=362–363}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=379–384}} The [[4th Tank Battalion]] had trouble negotiating the reefs, potholes and mines on White Beach 2 and was diverted to White Beach 1. Despite its small size, nearly all vehicles were landed over White Beach 1. This included the [[M3 Stuart]] [[light tanks]] of Company D with [[Ronson flamethrower]]s. In the afternoon, Company A came ashore on White Beach 2 without mishap.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=384–385}}

All three assault battalions were ashore by 08:20. On White Beach 1 the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, was followed by the 1st Battalion, which was ashore by 08:46, and the 3rd Battalion at 09:25. On White Beach 2, the reserve battalion, the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, was ashore by 09:30. DUKWs carrying the artillery began landing  at 13:15, the 23rd Marines at 14:00, and the 2nd Marine Division's 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, at 17:00. The planned [[beachhead]] was occupied, and the marines strung [[barbed wire]] and established [[fields of fire]] in anticipation of a Japanese counterattack. Two pontoon causeway piers were placed during the night, allowing loaded trucks to come ashore from LSTs. By the evening, 15,614 marines, soldiers and sailors had landed on Tinian, at a cost of 15 men killed and 225 wounded.{{sfn|Morison|1953|pp=363–364}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=379–384}}

===Counterattack===

Ogata immediately attempted to organized a counterattack, in keeping with Japanese doctrine at the time of repulsing the attack on the beach. The 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment, was already in the vicinity of the American beachhead, and was able to probe the hastily-positioned defenses for weaknesses. The 2nd Battalion in the Asiga Bay area was not far away, but could not move until dark, when American aircraft were not in the sky. Izumi's mobile counterattack force was ordered forward from its assembly position in the Mapo area. He moved along the side of the roads, where trees offered concealment from the air, and was only spotted from the air once. Ogata kept the 3rd Battalion in place at Tinian Town in case the Americans made a follow-up landing there. Naval troops approached the beachhead from the Ushi Point airfield.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=62}}

[[File:A pair of curious marines pause to look over the wrecked Japanese tank on a road on Tinian.jpg|left|thumb|Marines inspect a knocked out Japanese tank]]
At around 02:00 on 25 July, a force of about 600 Japanese sailors encountered the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, on the left of the American beachhead, and charged into machine gun, mortar, rifle and [[37 mm gun M3|37 mm antitank gun]] [[canister shot]] fire. A furious fight ensued, in which Company A was reduced to just 30 men, but by 07:00 476 Japanese lay dead.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=389–391}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=63}}

In the center of the American line another attack developed at the boundary between the 24th and 25th Marines. About 200 Japanese soldiers broke through the lines of Company K, 25th Marines, and divided into two groups. One group attacked Battery D, [[14th Marines]]. The attack was halted with the help of [[Browning .50 caliber machine gun]] fire from Batteries E and F. Company C of the 8th Marines was sent to their aid, but found the situation in hand. About 100 dead Japanese were found in the area; two men of Battery D were killed. The other group was engaged in a wooded area by [[M2 mortar|60 mm mortars]]. The attack in the center cost the Japanese about 500 dead, most of whom were from the  1st Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. Many were caught on the barbed wire and killed by machine gun fire.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=389–391}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=64–65}}

On the right, the 23rd Marines were attacked by five or six Japanese tanks, accompanied by infantry of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 50th Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. The moonless night was lit up by Navy [[star shell]]s. Five Japanese tanks were knocked out by [[bazooka]]s, [[M3 Gun Motor Carriage|75 mm halftracks]] and 37 mm antitank guns. The Japanese infantry charged the lines of the 2nd battalion, 23rd Marines, and 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. Some broke through their lines, only to encounter the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines. In the morning, 267 Japanese dead were counted in this sector. In all, the counterattack cost Ogata about 1,200 dead.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=389–391}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=65–66}}

===Drive south===
[[File:Tanks on beach tinian lg.jpg|thumb|right|[[M4 Sherman]] tanks and other vehicles deploy inland. Extended exhaust stacks allow them to operate in shallow water.]]
The nighttime actions had depleted the 4th Marine Division's ammunition, so Cates delayed attacking on 25 July until 10:00 to allow time to replenish. In the meantime, the rest of the 2nd Marine Division began landing.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=69–71}} As they moved north along the coast through terrain characterized by coral rocks and thick undergrowth, the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, was held up by a force of 20 to 25 Japanese that it took until 11:30 to overcome. On their right, the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, reached the Ushi Point airfield, and the 24th Marines reached airfield No. 3.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=394–395}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=74–75}} The 25th Marines was confronted by the most formidable obstacle of the day, Mount Maga, which was captured with a [[double envelopment]].{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=394–395}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=71–74}}

The following day, the 25th Marines captured the steeper and more imposing Mount Lasso without opposition, as the Japanese had pulled out during the night. The advance had now begun to outrun the range of the artillery on Saipan, so the 105 mm howitzer battalions of the 10th and 14th Marines displaced to Tinian on 26 and 27 July and rejoined their divisions.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=398–399}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=71–74}} The marines pressed forward on 27 and 28 July against sporadic Japanese resistance.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=402}}

===Weather breaks===
[[File:80-G-307883 USS LST-340 at pontoon pier on White Beach 2.jpg|thumb|right|USS LST-340 at the pontoon pier on White Beach 2]]
The weather abruptly worsened on the afternoon of 28 July.{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|p=81}} A typhoon in the [[Philippine Sea]] caused heavy swells.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=402}} At 18:00 all unloading ceased. {{USS|LST-340||6}} ran aground on the reef, and efforts to refloat her were unsuccessful. On 13 August, she was pulled off the reef and towed to Tanapag Harbor, where she was beached. A control craft, ''LCC-25473'', was washed up on the reef at White Beach 1, but was salvaged the following day. The pontoon causeways were damaged on the night of 29 July. The one at White Beach 1 [[Broach (nautical)|broached]] and the one at White Beach 2 broke in two. The White Beach 1 causeway was restored to service on 31 July, only to broach again.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=92}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=403}}

With the Ushi Point airfield in American hands, the 121st Naval Construction Battalion commenced its repair on 27 July, filling in the bomb and shell craters. By that evening, an airstrip {{convert|2500|ft}} long and {{convert|150|ft}} wide was ready for use, and it was fully restored to its {{convert|4700|ft|adj=on}} length the next day.{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|p=359}} On 29 July, a P-47 landed and took off again.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=398}} Hill summoned the [[9th Troop Carrier Squadron]] from [[Eniwetok]] and its [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]s, together with the [[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]s of [[VMR-252]], delivered 33,000 rations from Saipan on 31 July. On the return trip they carried wounded. A parachute drop of {{convert|30|ST|t}} of supplies was prepared, but was not necessary.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=93}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=403}}
[[File:80-G-239297 U.S. Marines move across the wreckage of the Japanese airfield at Ushi Point.jpg|thumb|left| Marines move across the wreckage of the Japanese airfield at Ushi Point]]
The rough seas precluded unloading to all but DUKWs.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=402}} These were the preferred transport for supplies, as they did not damage the roads like the LVTs did. In some places engineers constructed parallel roads for LVTs.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=371}} One important task for the DUKWs was hauling ammunition from the [[ammunition ship]]s {{SS|Rockland Victory||6}}, which arrived off Tinian on 26 July, and {{MS|Sea Witch||6}}, which arrived the following day. The DUKWs also had to haul 600 to 800 drums of fuel each day from the floating barges. A gasoline shortage was averted by the capture of Japanese stocks.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=403–404}}

On 30 July the 24th Marines occupied Tinian Town and the 25th Marines overran airfield no. 4.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=94–98}} The land mines were cleared away, and LCTs began landing on Green Beach. The water off the south pier was not deep enough to allow LSTs to dock there, so pontoon causeways were brought from White Beach 1 and Saipan, allowing the first LST to dock on 4 August. The beach between the two piers was cleared of land mines by 5 August, and was resurfaced with coral, allowing up to fifteen LCMs to beach there simultaneously. The harbor had not been mined, but there were sunken wrecks, which the UDTs demolished.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=423–424}}

===Tinian taken===
[[File:75mm pack howitzer is fired into a Japanese-held cave on Tinian.jpg|thumb|right|A [[75mm pack howitzer]], nicknamed "Miss Connie", is fired into a Japanese-held cave on Tinian. The gun was locked securely in this unusual position after the parts were hand-carried to the cliff's edge.]]
Japanese remnants made a final stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the south portion of the island,{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|p=85}}  where the terrain rose in a brush and rock strewn plateau {{convert|5000|yd}} long and {{convert|2000|yd}} wide. On the evening of 30 July, Schmidt ordered his divisions to occupy the coastline between Lalo and Mapo Points, and annihilate the remaining Japanese forces.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=408–409}} The next morning, the battleships ''Tennessee'' and ''California'' and the cruisers ''Louisville'', ''Montpelier'' and ''Birmingham'' unleashed {{convert|615|ST|t}} of shells on the plateau, and aircraft dropped {{convert|69|ST|t}} of bombs.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=102}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=411}} As they advanced, the marines encountered civilians waving white cloths, who had to be approached with care, as sometimes one of their number turned out to be a Japanese soldier intent on suicide and taking some Americans with him.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=107}} Kakuta sent his last radio message to Tokyo that day. It is not known whether he was killed in action or committed suicide;{{sfn|Morison|1953|p=357}} neither his body nor that of Oie was ever found.{{sfn|Brooks|2005|p=260}}

The rugged terrain hampered the tanks but the flamethrower tanks of Company D, 4th Tank Battalion, were adept at burning sections of undergrowth where Japanese soldiers tried to hide.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=102}} As the 23rd Marines approached the plateau, they came under intense small arms fire from a small village and the cliff face. The accompanying tanks of Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, were engaged by a concealed Japanese [[Type 1 47 mm anti-tank gun|47 mm antitank gun]], which scored six hits on one tank. Although penetrated, the tank remained operational and was able to back away. It used smoke to mark the suspected location of the gun for rockets and naval and tank gunfire. The advance resumed, only to have another tank hit by the same gun. Although also penetrated, it too remained operational, and this time the target was spotted, and engaged by tanks that destroyed the gun and machine-gunned twenty Japanese crewmen who tried to escape.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=104–105}}{{sfn|Harwood|1994|p=24}}

[[File:USMC 87909 Marines cautiously probe a cave on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Marines cautiously probe a cave on 28 July]]
Meanwhile, the 8th Marines made their way onto the plateau, where vegetation covered caves and fissures where Japanese riflemen and machine gunners lurked. While the vegetation concealed them from observation by the Americans, it also restricted their own fields of view. There was one winding road to the top, but it was mined. Engineers removed the mines, allowing tanks to proceed up the road and destroy Japanese positions, while the accompanying infantry battled their way through the brush. At 16:50, Company A reached the top. Five minutes later they were joined by a [[platoon]] from Company C. Company E, following up the road, was attacked by between 75 and 100 Japanese, who were eventually repelled. It then made its way to the top. Company G followed, reaching the top at 18:45, which was sunset. During the night, the Japanese attempted to cut off the Americans on the summit. They captured some vehicles, but were unsuccessful. At 05:15 the marines' positions were attacked by more than 600 Japanese soldiers and sailors. An hour later, the 8th Marines had 74 casualties and 200 Japanese were dead. The rest withdrew to the woods and cliffs in the southwest of the island.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=107–109}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=412–413}}

Lolo Point, the southernmost tip of the island, was reached at 18:00 on 1 August, and 55 minutes later, Schmidt declared that organized resistance had ended, and the island was secure.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=420–421}} Nonetheless, that night, the 6th Marines were attacked by a poorly-coordinated force of about 150 Japanese soldiers and sailors. According to Japanese prisoners, Ogata had burned the regimental colors and gathered as many men as he could for a counterattack. The following morning 124 Japanese dead were counted, many of whom had died by their own hand, but Ogata's body was never identified.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=119}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Ogawa |first=Yoneji |trans-title=Neither Surrender nor Suicide: Surviving the Suicide Mission on Tinian |title=降伏せず自決せず 玉砕地テニアンを生き抜く|language=Japanese |publisher=Japanese Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates |url=https://www.heiwakinen.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/archive/library/roukunote/onketsu/04/O_04_425_1.pdf |access-date=6 August 2024 }}</ref>

===Casualties===
[[File:USMC 87434 Stretch bearers carry a wounded marine.jpg|thumb|right|As a Navy corpsman administers a bottle of plasma to a wounded Marine, the stretcher bearers wait patiently to carry him on board a landing craft which will evacuate him to a hospital ship offshore, where he will be given full treatment.]]
In his report on the Tinian operation, Turner reported the 2nd Marine Division's losses in the period from 24 July to 9 August as 104 killed, 654 wounded and 3 missing, a total of 761. The 4th Marine Division lost 182 killed, 844 wounded and 20 missing, a total of 1,046. Four men of the XXIV Corps Artillery were wounded, and there were 4 killed, 13 wounded and 1 missing among the V Amphibious Corps troops, for a total of 290 killed, 1,515 wounded and 24 missing, giving a grand total of 1,829 casualties.{{sfn|Turner|1944|p=79}}{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=150}} Another 63 sailors and marines were killed and 177 wounded aboard ships.{{sfn|Turner|1944|p=266}}{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=378}} The dead included two men who were posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for using their bodies to protect their comrades from hand grenades: [[Private (rank)#United States Marine Corps|Private]] [[Joseph W. Ozbourn]] and [[Private first class#United States Marine Corps|Private First Class]] [[Robert L. Wilson]].{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=98, 117}}

By 10 August, Japanese casualties included 404 taken prisoner and 5,745 dead that were buried by the Americans.{{sfn|Turner|1944|p=79}}

===Analysis===
Smith considered Tinian "the perfect amphibious operation in the Pacific war."{{sfn|Smith|1989|p=201}} It differed from most in that the proximity of Saipan allowed it to be carried out as a shore-to-shore operation rather than a ship-to-shore one, and fire support was available from land-based artillery.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=426–427}} The operation was much less difficult than Saipan; the nearest base was just {{convert|5|mi}} away, not over a thousand; the garrison was smaller; the ratio of attackers to defenders was greater; the terrain was less formidable; intelligence was more accurate; and the preliminary naval and aerial bombardment more protracted.{{sfn|Morison|1953|p=370}}

[[File:USMC 87927 Marines stack mortar rounds in preparation for firing a fast barrage, on Tinian.jpg|thumb|left|Marines stack mortar rounds in preparation for firing a fast barrage on 30 July]]
The Battle of Tinian offered a rare example of a force that expected to be attacked still being taken by surprise.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=424}} "Our singular success at Tinian", Smith later wrote, "lay in the boldness of the landing."{{sfn|Smith|1989|p=203}} The Americans had accurate intelligence, assembled from multiple sources, and knew that the Japanese would not be waiting for them on the White Beaches. Aerial photography of Saipan was restricted through fear that the Japanese would be alerted and the element of surprise would be lost; whereas aerial photography of Tinian was unrestricted but surprise was not sacrificed.{{sfn|Moore|1998|p=86}}

American commanders gambled on good weather, but when the weather eventually broke, the American logistical system still held. DUKWs were still able to operate when landing craft could not, and Hill recommended that DUKWs replace LCVPs on the Navy's [[attack cargo ship]]s. Additional supply capability was available by air, although it was not needed.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=426–427}}

For their part, the Japanese incurred high casualties in fruitless counterattacks that were defeated by American firepower. They managed to move undetected at night, and were able to withdraw from contact with little loss whenever they wished to do so. Heavier American casualties might have been inflicted by a passive defense, taking advantage of their skill with camouflage, use of terrain, and emplacement of weapons, but this was not Japanese doctrine at the time.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|p=428}}

==Aftermath==
===Mopping up===
[[File:Marines and the civilian population on Tinian.jpg|thumb|right|Marines bathe a Tinian girl after she and her family had been removed from a hillside dugout.]]
On 6 August, Brigadier General [[Merritt A. Edson]], the deputy commander of the 2nd Marine Division, assumed tactical responsibility as commander of Ground Forces Tinian. The 8th Marines assumed responsibility for the whole 2nd Marine Division's sector two days later, allowing the rest of the division to return to Saipan for rest and reorganization. On 10 August it took over the 4th Marine Division's sector as well, so it could return to Hawaii.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|pp=120–121}} Major General [[James L. Underhill]] was appointed Island Commander on 1 August 1944. Nine days later, all forces on Tinian were transferred to his command.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=140}}{{sfn|Richard|1957|p=535}} He was succeeded by Brigadier General [[Frederick V. H. Kimble]] on 28 November.{{sfn|Richard|1957|p=539}}

The 8th Marines patroled the island, mopping up Japanese holdouts. On 25 October, the 8th Marines joined the rest of the 2nd Marine Division on Saipan, leaving the 1st Battalion behind on Tinian. It continued mopping up patrols until 1 January 1945, when it too departed for Saipan. Between 1 August 1944 and 1 January 1945, the 8th Marines lost another 38 killed and 125 wounded; 542 Japanese soldiers were killed.{{sfn|Shaw|Nalty|Turnbladh|1994|pp=422–423}} Responsibility for the defence of Tinian was handed over to the marines of the [[16th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion]].{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=157}} It departed for Okinawa in April 1945, but the [[17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion|17th]] and [[18th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion]]s remained to defend the airbases.{{sfn|Melson|1996|p=32}}

The garrison on [[Aguiguan]] Island off the southwest cape of Tinian, commanded by Second Lieutenant Kinichi Yamada, [[Japanese holdout|held out]] until the end of the war, surrendering to Rear Admiral Marshall R. Greer on the [[United States Coast Guard Cutter]] ''[[83-foot patrol boat#CGC 83525|USCG 83525]]'' on 4 September 1945. The entire garrison of 67 troops, along with 172 Japanese and 128 Korean civilians, were interned on Tinian.{{sfn|Richard|1957|pp=21–22}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.history.uscg.mil/Complete-Time-Line/Time-Line-1900-2000/ |title=September Daily Chronology of Coast Guard History (Entry for September 4) |publisher=U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011202153/https://www.history.uscg.mil/Complete-Time-Line/Time-Line-1900-2000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The last holdout on Tinian, Murata Susumu, was captured in 1953 and repatriated to Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title= Japanese Holdouts: Registry |publisher= Pacific Wreck Database |url= http://www.wanpela.com/holdouts/registry.html |access-date= 23 March 2024 |archive-date= 4 February 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162701/http://www.wanpela.com/holdouts/registry.html |url-status= live }}</ref>{{sfn|Petty|2009|p=40}}

===Military government===
There were 16,029 civilians on Tinian on 15 April 1944, of whom 1,658, mostly women, children and the elderly, were evacuated to Japan before the American invasion.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|p=165}}{{sfn|Richard|1957|p=553}} An estimated 2,610 civilians died in the battle.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|pp=166–168}} Journalist [[Robert Sherrod]] noted that most died as a result of the fighting; the Americans made great use of artillery, aerial and naval bombardment, and civilians often sheltered with soldiers. Some died from disease, dehydration or malnutrition.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|pp=127–131}} Some were murdered by Japanese soldiers.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|pp=132–139}} In one instance Japanese soldiers tied 40 to 50 civilians together and threw a grenade at them.{{sfn|Smith|1989|p=211}} There were instances of mass suicide, most notably by jumping off the {{convert|120|ft|adj=on}} "Suicide Cliff" between Mapo and Lalo Points.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|pp=85, 91}} Children were thrown off the cliff by their parents, and some civilians were pushed off the cliff by Japanese soldiers.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=119}} A captured Japanese soldier claimed that a thousand loyal citizens had allowed the military to blow them up in caves.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|p=88}}

[[File:Marine Shares A Treat, 1944 (7610805780).jpg|thumb|left|[[Staff Sergeant]] Frederico Claveria gives candy to an interned child.{{sfn|Harwood|1994|p=31}}]]
Only 2,468 civilians had been accounted for by 1 August, but within three days that number had increased to 8,491.{{sfn|Hoffman|1951|p=140}} The 2nd Marine Division established a stockade for civilians at the Ushi Point Airfield while the 4th Marine Division established one on the site of the ruined village of Churo. The latter was chosen as a permanent camp site, and all the civilians were subsequently concentrated there.{{sfn|Richard|1957|p=537}} By 15 October, there were 10,926 civilians at [[Camp Churo]], of whom 8,625 were Japanese, 2,297 were Koreans, and 4 were Chinese. Nearly half were children under the age of 15.{{sfn|Richard|1957|p=553}}

The military government was unprepared to care for the large number of civilians, and there were critical shortages of relief supplies of all kinds.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|pp=153–155}} Seabees supervised the erection of tarpaulin shelters. These were gradually replaced by huts made from corrugated iron and timber salvaged from around the island. The internees also salvaged food supplies, and cultivated gardens. When firewood started to become scarce, Seabees made them improvised diesel stoves.{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|pp=369–370}}

In late 1945, Spruance, who had succeeded Nimitz as CINCPOA, ordered the repatriation of all Japanese and Korean civilians. This was completed by late 1946.{{sfn|Astroth|2019|p=172}}

===Base development===
{{main|Tinian Naval Base}}
[[File:B-29s Landing on Tinian 1944.jpg|thumb|right|A Seabee waves at incoming [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] bombers]]
Responsibility for the transformation of Tinian into a base for B-29 bombers was assigned to the 6th Naval Construction Brigade, under Halloran's command. For this work his brigade had the 29th and 30th Naval Construction Regiments; a third regiment, the 49th Naval Construction Regiment, arrived in March 1945.<ref name="6th Naval Construction Brigade">{{cite web |title=6th Naval Construction Brigade Log: Task on Tinian |publisher=United States Navy Seabee Museum |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/museums/Seabee/Cruisebooks/wwiicruisebooks/misc-cruisebooks/6%20%20Naval%20Construction%20Brigade.pdf |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220224827/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/museums/Seabee/Cruisebooks/wwiicruisebooks/misc-cruisebooks/6%20%20Naval%20Construction%20Brigade.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Two air bases were constructed, North Field and West Field. These were on the site of the existing Japanese fields at Ushi Point and Gurguan Point respectively, but they had to be lengthened to {{convert|8500|ft}} and widened to {{convert|500|ft}} to handle the B-29s. This task would have been easier if the plateau had been more than {{convert|7000|ft}} wide. As it was, large amounts of fill were required.{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|pp=358–362}}

When work was completed on 5 May 1945, North Field had four parallel {{convert|8500|ft|adj=on}} runways, with {{convert|8|mi}} of [[taxiway]]s, 265 [[hardstand]]s, 173 [[Quonset hut]]s and 92 other buildings. Its construction involved {{convert|2109800|cuyd}} of excavations and {{convert|4789400|cuyd}} of fill. West Field had two B-29 runways, {{convert|53000|ft}} of taxiways, 220 hardstands and 251 administration, maintenance and repair buildings. The adjacent base for naval aircraft had {{convert|16000|ft}} of taxiways, 70 hardstands, 345 Quonset huts, 33 administration, maintenance and repair buildings, and a {{convert|75|ft|adj=on}} tall [[control tower]].{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|pp=358–362}}

[[File:Tinian Airfields 1945 Looking North To South.jpg|thumb|left|Tinian in 1945 after airbase construction was complete. [[North Field (Tinian)|North Field]] is in the foreground and [[West Field (Tinian)|West Field]] in the background. ]]
Initially, fuel had to be supplied in drums. Later, [[aviation gasoline]] was drawn from a barge anchored in Tinian Harbor. The fuel storage and distribution system was completed by 8 March 1945. This included storage tanks for {{convert|14000|USbbl|l}} of [[diesel oil]], {{convert|20000|USbbl|l}} of [[motor gasoline]] and {{convert|165000|USbbl|l}} of aviation gasoline. Fuel was pumped over a submarine pipeline from an [[oil tanker]] moored north of Tinian Harbor and distributed over {{convert|86000|ft}} of pipeline.{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|p=365}} Work on the harbor included dredging operations and the construction of a breakwater and quays for [[Liberty ship]]s. Until it was completed in March 1945, cargo was brought ashore by LCMs and LCTs.{{sfn|Building the Navy's Bases|1947|pp=366–367}}

North Field became operational in February 1945 and West Field the following month.{{sfn|Rottman|Gerrard|2004|p=89}} The [[313th Bombardment Wing]] arrived from the United States in December 1944 and was based at North Field. The [[58th Bombardment Wing]] arrived from the [[China-Burma-India]] Theater in March 1945 and was based at West Field. A third formation, the [[509th Composite Group]] arrived in May 1945 and moved to North Field, where it took over an area that had been specially constructed for it. Thus, two of the five bombardment wings of the [[Twentieth Air Force]] were based on Tinian.{{sfn|Cate|1953|p=166}}{{sfn|Taylor|Cate|Olson|Futrell|1953|pp=519–525}} These formations participated in the campaign of [[air raids on Japan]], including the [[bombing of Tokyo (10 March 1945)|bombing of Tokyo on 10 March 1945]],{{sfn|Taylor|Cate|Olson|Futrell|1953|pp=614–617}} and the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] on 6 and 9 August 1945.{{sfn|Taylor|Cate|Olson|Futrell|1953|pp=713–725}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Aandahl |editor-first1=Fredrick |editor-last2=Franklin |editor-first2=William M. |editor-last3=Slany |editor-first3=William |series=[[Foreign Relations of the United States (book series)|Foreign Relations of the United States]] |title=The Conferences at Washington, 1941–1942, and Casablanca, 1943 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |year=1958 |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1941-43 |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110223033/https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1941-43 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Astroth |first=Alexander |title=Mass Suicides on Saipan and Tinian 1944: An Examination of the Civilian Deaths in Historical Context |publisher=McFarland & Company |date=2019 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn=978-1-4766-7456-8 |oclc=1049791315 }}
* {{cite report |last=Bosworth |first=Everett W. |title=Final report of XXIV Corps Artillery on Forager Operation, Phases I and II, 15 June 1944 to 1 August 1944 |type=PDF |date=9 September 1944 |publisher=United States Army |url=https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/6014/download |access-date=20 March 2024 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317073209/https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/6014/download |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Brooks |first=Victor |title=Day in the Pacific, June-August 1944 |year=2005 |publisher=Da Capo Press |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |isbn=978-0-306-81369-6 |oclc=61211333 }}
* {{cite book |last=Cate |first=James |author-link=James L. Cate |editor-last1=Craven |editor-first1=Wesley Frank |editor-last2=Cate |editor-first2=James |contribution=The Twentieth Air Force and Matterhorn |volume=V |pages=3–178 |title=The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki, June 1944 to August 1945 |series=[[The Army Air Forces in World War II]] |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |year=1953 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf |access-date=26 June 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509103704/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Crowl |first=Philip A. |title=Campaign in the Marianas |year=1960 |series=[[United States Army in World War II]], The War in the Pacific |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |oclc=1049152860 |url=https://history.army.mil/html/books/005/5-7-1/CMH_Pub_5-7-1.pdf |id=CMH Pub 5-7 |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209014301/https://history.army.mil/html/books/005/5-7-1/CMH_Pub_5-7-1.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Dyer |first=George Carroll |title=The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner |volume=II |publisher=Department of the Navy |location=Washington, DC |year=1969 |url=https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/FMFRP%2012-109-II%20%20The%20Amphibians%20Came%20to%20Conquer%20-%20Vol%20II.pdf |access-date=15 March 2024 |oclc=1023102368 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410020221/https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/FMFRP%2012-109-II%20%20The%20Amphibians%20Came%20to%20Conquer%20-%20Vol%20II.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Franklin |editor-first1=William M. |editor-last2=Gerber |editor-first2=William |series=[[Foreign Relations of the United States (book series)|Foreign Relations of the United States]] |title=The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |year=1961 |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943CairoTehran |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313200527/https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943CairoTehran |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last= Harwood |first= Richard |title= A Close Encounter: The Marine Landing on Tinian |publisher= United States Marine Corps |location= Washington, D.C. |year= 1994 |id= 19000312700 |series= World War II Commemorative Series |url= https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/A%20Close%20Encounter%20The%20Marine%20Landing%20on%20Tinian%20PCN%2019000312700.pdf |access-date= 13 March 2024 |archive-date= 18 June 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220618040149/http://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/A%20Close%20Encounter%20The%20Marine%20Landing%20on%20Tinian%20PCN%2019000312700.pdf |url-status= live }}
* {{cite book |last=Hayes |first=Grace Person |year=1982 |title=The History of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in World War II: The War against Japan |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-87021-269-9 |oclc=7795125 }}
* {{cite book |last= Hoffman |first= Carl W. |author-link= Carl W. Hoffman |title= The Seizure of Tinian |series= USMC Historical Monographs |publisher= Historical Division, Headquarters, US Marine Corps |location= Washington, DC |year= 1951 |url= https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Hoffman_The%20Seizure%20of%20Tinian.pdf |access-date= 13 March 2024 |archive-date= 5 April 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230405200856/https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Hoffman_The%20Seizure%20of%20Tinian.pdf |url-status= live }}
* {{cite report |last=Jones |first=James L. |author-link=James L. Jones Sr. |title=Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion Report – Phase III (Tinian) |date=5 August 1944 |type=PDF |url=https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/5150/download |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318104407/https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/5150/download |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Melson |first=Charles D. |title=Condition Red: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II |series=Marines in World War II Commemorative Series |publisher=Marine Corps Historical Center |location=Washington, DC |year=1996 |url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Condition%20Red%20Marine%20Defense%20Battalions%20in%20World%20War%20II%20%20PCN%2019000313300.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-100326-670 |oclc=34920984 |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618040247/https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Condition%20Red%20Marine%20Defense%20Battalions%20in%20World%20War%20II%20%20PCN%2019000313300.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-100326-670 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite journal |last=Moore |first=Jeffrey M. |title=Pacific Island Intelligence: The Assault on Tinian |journal=American Intelligence Journal |issn=0883-072X |year=1998 |volume=18 |issue=1/2 |pages=81–86 |jstor=44326643 }}
* {{cite book |last=Morison |first=Samuel Eliot |author-link=Samuel Eliot Morison |title=New Guinea and the Marianas, March 1944 – August 1944 |date=1953 |volume=VIII |series=[[History of United States Naval Operations in World War II]] |publisher=Little Brown |isbn=978-0-316-58308-4 |oclc=10926173}}
* {{cite book |last1=Olson |first1=James C. |author-link1=James C. Olson |last2=Mortensen |first2=Bernhardt L. |contribution=The Marianas |editor-last1=Craven |editor-first1=Wesley Frank |editor-last2=Cate |editor-first2=James |volume=IV |pages=671–698 |title=The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944 |series=[[The Army Air Forces in World War II]] |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |year=1950 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329889/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-010.pdf |access-date=17 April 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216105926/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329889/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-010.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Petty |first=Bruce M. |title=Saipan: Oral Histories of the Pacific War |year=2009 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-4244-7 |oclc=255893848 }}
* {{cite book |last=Prefer |first=Nathan N. |title=The Battle for Tinian: Vital Stepping Stone in America's War Against Japan |year=2012 |location=Oxford |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn= 978-1-61200-094-7 |oclc=794490656 }}
* {{cite book |last=Raines |first=Edgar F. Jr. |title=Eyes of Artillery: The Origins of Modern U.S. Army Aviation In World War II |series=Army Historical Series |id=CMH Pub 70-31 |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |location=Washington, DC |year=2000 |url=https://history.army.mil/html/books/070/70-31-1/CMH_Pub_70-31-1.pdf |access-date=20 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319204225/https://history.army.mil/html/books/070/70-31-1/CMH_Pub_70-31-1.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Richard |first=Dorothy E. |title=United States Naval Administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands |volume=I: The Wartime Military Government Period, 1942–1945 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Oﬃce of the Chief of Naval Operations |year=1957 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015023071312 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326190526/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015023071312 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1= Rottman |first1= Gordon L. |author-link=Gordon L. Rottman |title=World War II Pacific Island Guide: A Geo-Military Study |year=2002 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westwood, Connecticut |isbn=0-313-31395-4 |oclc=55641463 }}
* {{cite book |last1= Rottman |first1= Gordon L. |author-link1=Gordon L. Rottman |first2= Howard |last2= Gerrard |title= Saipan & Tinian 1944: Piercing the Japanese Empire |location= Oxford |publisher= Osprey Publishing |year=2004 |isbn= 978-1-84176-804-5 |oclc=231986835 }}
* {{cite report |last=Schmidt |first=Harry |author-link=Harry Schmidt (USMC) |title=Headquarters, Northern Troops and Landing Force Report of Marianas Operation Phase III (Tinian) |date=18 August 1944 |url=https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/5146/download |type=PDF |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=17 April 2024 |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416224321/https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/5146/download |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1=Shaw |first1=Henry I. Jr. |first2=Bernard C. |last2=Nalty |first3=Edwin T. |last3=Turnbladh |year=1994 |orig-year=1966 |title=Central Pacific Drive |volume=3 |series=[[History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II]] |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofusmarin03usma |publisher=Historical Branch, G–3 Division, Headquarters, US Marine Corps |isbn=978-0-89839-194-7 |oclc=927428034 }}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=Holland M. |author-link=Holland M. Smith |title=Coral and Brass |publisher=Battery Press |location=Nashville |year=1989 |orig-date=1948 |isbn=0-89839-136-9 |oclc=22142300 |url=https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/FMFRP%2012-37.pdf |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718073810/https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/FMFRP%2012-37.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Stanton |first=Shelby L. |year=1984 |title=Order of Battle: U.S. Army World War II |edition=1st |location=Novato, California |publisher=Presidio Press |isbn=978-0-8914-1195-6 |oclc=10727063   }}
* {{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=James |last2=Cate |first2=James |author-link2=James L. Cate |last3=Olson |first3=James C. |last4=Futrell |first4=Frank |last5=Craven |first5=Wesley Frank |editor-last1=Craven |editor-first1=Wesley Frank |editor-last2=Cate |editor-first2=James |contribution=Strategic Bombardment from Pacific Bases |volume=V |pages=507–758 |title=The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki, June 1944 to August 1945 |series=[[The Army Air Forces in World War II]] |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |year=1953 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf |access-date=26 June 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509103704/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite report |last=Turner |first=Richmond K. |author-link=Richmond K. Turner |title=Report of the Capture of the Marianas |date=25 August 1944 |type=PDF |publisher=United States Marine Navy |url=https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/4341/download |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312192633/https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll8/id/4341/download |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=U.S. Navy Department |title=Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Volume II |series=History of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the Civil Engineer Corps 1940–1946 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |year=1947 |oclc=1023942 |ref=CITEREFBuilding the Navy's Bases1947 |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/b/building-the-navys-bases/buidling-navys-bases-vol-2-chapter-26.html |access-date=5 August 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163136/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/b/building-the-navys-bases/buidling-navys-bases-vol-2-chapter-26.html |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Battle of Tinian}}
* {{YouTube |id=FiQUCxbHgnI |title=Battle for the Mariana Islands}}
* {{Youtube |id=FN_zneD0W5o |title=Seabee and Naval Operations on Tinian Island}}
* [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/33cbfd50cd154fto0aedc5511fede2ad9 Tinian North Field National Historic Landmark]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Virtual tour.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tinian}}
[[Category:July 1944 events]]
[[Category:August 1944 events]]
[[Category:Mariana and Palau Islands campaign|Tinian]]