Battle for Saipan

1944 Pacific D-Day in the Mariana Islands (WW2 Pacific Military History Series, Book 4)

By: Daniel Wrinn

Narrated by: Gary Williams

The invasion of Saipan kicked open the doors to Tokyo.

In June 1944, American forces had their sights focused on the Marianas islands. Located about 1,500 miles from Japan's major cities, these islands would be used as bases for the new Boeing B-29 heavy bomber, which could strike Japan's most important cities.

The first island to be invaded was Saipan. Enemy resistance was heavy, as Marines from the 2nd and 4th divisions encountered bunkers, pillboxes, and other fortifications. The invasion started a month-long odyssey that would result in thousands of American casualties, as well as the almost complete destruction of Japanese forces on the island.

This narrative recounts the story of the Pacific D-Day in vivid, gritty detail. Explore the fascinating feats of strategy, planning, and bravery, handing the Allies what would eventually become a victory over the Pacific Theater and an end to Imperialist Japanese expansion.

©2021 Griffin Smith (P)2021 Griffin Smith

"They waited in jittery anticipation."

A short (one and one half hours only) account of the June to July 1944 invasion of Saipan, the story of the Pacific D-Day told in vivid, gritty detail. The initial section mostly details the attack itself, the latter tells a little more about a few of the brave people involved.
Clearly written, it would be useful to have a detailed map of the island available as the areas of attack are mentioned. Some fascinating personal tales are recounted, like the butler who died when a bullet went straight into his bugle and onwards through it to his head. The casualty level was huge with over 16,600 Americans killed and more than 23,500 Japaese, who refused to surrender. The book leaves a terrifying impression of the battles.

Narration is by Gary Williams. His voice is deep, rich and perfect for recounting such momentous text. Apart from a single, early editing glitch where the initial, replaced recording of a sentence is not removed, the whole close well with good intonation and without emotional investment. He simply tells the story.

I received a freely gifted complimentary copy of Battle for Saipan, at my request, from the rights holder via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. An important piece of World War II history of which I was previously unaware, vital in ending the war in the East and in which so many lost their lives. Recommended for everyone from an early age.

The cost of war

WW2, Pacific-theater-of-operations, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, military-history, USMC, casualties, bravery, 1944, *****

My perspective in reading this is that of having a Girl Scout leader (when I was a kid) who was a Navy nurse on ships that ferried the wounded. My grandson (Marine formerly stationed in Okinawa) heard that I won this book and came over to listen with me. We both learned a lot and had a lot to share. He had the training and I have been a civilian nurse for many years.
I have been reading a lot of semi-fiction about WW2 in Europe lately (thanks to NetGalley) but never realized that the Pacific major battles were also in mid 1944. The research done to present this information is amazing, and the writing continues to be engaging rather than pedantic. Which is to say that we both enjoyed the listen.
The narrator is no-nonsense Gary Williams who infuses it with interest while making it clear that this is a nonfiction account.
I won this audiobook in a giveaway.

A Very Good Who. What and Where Acount

This book provides a useful high level account of the Battle for Saipan, covering the major players, the key conflicts and the equipment used. It provides an excellent starting point for someone who is interested in understanding the Pacific theatre in the closing days of WWII.

A very good look at a fascinating battle

The author is able to bring you straight into the battle. The significance of it from a pacific theater standpoint as well as the significance of each bit of the battle and how it relates to the entire taking of the island. The very deep and emotional stories of the personnel on the ground is delivered via accounts of individuals and their actions. That which stuck out most in my mind was the pastor with the fried chicken and the scotch (you’ll understand when you listen). Something more of our society should learn about. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Stirring Yet Accurate

You can always count on Daniel Wrinn to write a stirring, yet accurate, account of World War II battles. The Battle for Saipan is no different, continuing Wrinn’s chronicle of the U.S. Marines’ battle across the Pacific Ocean. With an extremely well-balanced mixture of narrative and quotations from personal accounts, he lays out what was at stake at Saipan, why the battle was different and much more difficult than those which had come before, and what the consequences were for the conflict with Japan. (Hint: Saipan was one of the critical turning points in the War in the Pacific.) I always find myself sad when I come to the end of a Wrinn book and I look forward to reading his next chapter of the war.