In June 1944, the attention of the nation was riveted on the events unfolding in France. But in the Pacific, the Battle of Saipan was of extreme strategic importance. D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic engagements of World War II. The conquest of Saipan and the neighboring island of Tinian was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, making the American victory against Japan inevitable.
Until this battle, the Japanese continued to believe that success remained a possibility. While Japan had suffered serious setbacks as early as the Battle of Midway in 1942, Saipan was part of its inner defense line, and victory was essential. Thus, the American victory at Saipan forced Japan to begin considering the possibility of defeat. For the Americans, the capture of Saipan meant secure air bases for the new B-29s - now within striking distance of Japanese cities, including Tokyo.
