Saipan 1944

[JayTownsend]

The Flame throwing Tanks really started with Saipan in the form of the M3A1 Stuart Tank, nick-named (Satan). They were so successful, in later campaigns they were adapted to the Sherman Tanks with bigger flame storage. It seems like an awful way to die, but at the time it was an effective weapon to save American lives in clearing caves and other difficulty terrain and pillboxes. The infantry also had to their back-pack smaller version in larger scale but much more dangerous as they were always a favorite target the enemy.

[JayTownsend]

    Of course the Japanese had their weapons as well. This 120mm type 10 dual-purpose gun was on Saipan as an antiaircraft gun but was also employed in a direct fire role against ground target and came as nasty surprise to both Marine & Army units that ran into them.

I added at least six new gun types to Saipan and I am hoping they all made the cut. Really I could added more, but didn’t have enough counters space, so I added the most important.

[JayTownsend]

    And my Favorite Japanese Tank the Shinhoto Chi-Ha 47mm, only because it has better chance against Allied armor with it's 47mm gun and it looks cool.

Most of the Japanese type 97 tank models on Saipan were still the 57mm Low Velocity HE model but Saipan also had between 4-10 of the High Velocity 47mm AT gun Shinhoto tanks. The numbers vary depending on the source you read.

Interesting but most source account for the 9th Tank Regiment having a total of 47 tanks of the Type 95, Type 97 and Type 97 47mm. With the Yokosuka 1st SNLF/55th Guard Unit having another 13 tanks of the Type 95, and Type 2 Amphibious for a total of 60 tanks on Saipan, which is listed on another source as well. But other sources list up to 80-100 tanks total. As I started counting tank engagements and Japanese tank losses doing my research, 60-70 seems correct.

[JayTownsend]

    The Marines form of close support was the Mk 7 Rocket truck, from Saipan going forward!

Very cool at that.

[JayTownsend]

    Yes Saipan, urban!

[JayTownsend]

Ok, I will save what I have left for Friday & Saturday and by then I will be out pictures, to give you guys a break as well!

[JayTownsend]

    Let not forget the troops!

[vince hughes]

The bloke with no steel helmet on the right-hand side of the trail ?

Photographer should have shouted to him to stop shitting !

[JayTownsend]

Good one Vince!

[JayTownsend]

    The real King Kong was on Saipan all along!