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This is a question about historical decision making. I am curious to know why the US decide to land in Saipan first?
Why not secure the Tinian first since it has relatively weak defense? It can be overrun relatively fast and then build up airbase to support the further operations in Mariana islands.

Tcao wrote: Thu Jul 25, 2024 8:05 pm This is a question about historical decision making. I am curious to know why the US decide to land in Saipan first?
Why not secure the Tinian first since it has relatively weak defense? It can be overrun relatively fast and then build up airbase to support the further operations in Mariana islands.

I am not sure but I think that the "reserves" for Saipan were used to capture Tinian while artillery on Saipan supported the Tinian assault. As far as airbases go, Spruance was in charge of the fleet carriers and he did not leave the area. There was criticism which led to Halsey leaving Leyte Gulf which was actually the 7th Fleet's responsibility to protect.

I recommend you this site, the Pacific War Online Encyclopedia.

http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/Table_Of_Contents.htm


Regarding this topic, 2 reasons are given:

Turner had concluded that Saipan should be invaded first. Saipan had the best airfields, and its capture would cut off the islands to the south.

http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/M/a/Mariana_Islands.htm