"D plus 5" found us renewing our northward trek, refreshed if not restored. And from that day on we were never again to experience the concentrated pressure of those first four days. There were moments of equally great danger and overwhelming fatigue, but never again such a constant and intense strain. We advanced with renewed confidence and the certainty that the conquest of the island was no longer in doubt--only our physical stamina.
- Captain Frederic Stott, 1/24, "Saipan Under Fire"
2/24 was hit hard by seventy five Japanese wielding grenades and bayonets at about 0350 on June 20. (Rifles were less commonly used during night fighting; the muzzle flashes would give away a man's position and not necessarily kill the target. Eugene Sledge often mentions that he and his comrades unsheathed their knives and placed them within easy reach each night on Peleliu and Okinawa, and often Marines who lacked grenades would allow infiltrators to bypass their holes unmolested; the idea being it was better to let someone back at HQ deal with it than risk the lives in your foxhole). The fighting lasted until daybreak; the Japanese had wounded eleven Marines but left a substantial number of their own dead on the field.
The 4th Division's drive to the northern tip of the island was lead by the 24th and 25th Marines; the bloodied 23rd having been sent back to division reserve. The maneuver to O-4 was likened to the swinging of a gate - when completed, the 4th Marine Division would be roughly horizontally aligned across the island, tied in with the 2nd Marine Division on the left and with their right flank anchored on the coastline. The 24th, on the right flank, had the longest distance to travel, and performed admirably. 1/24 advanced up the eastern coast of Saipan; 2/24 matched pace between First Battalion and the 25th Marines.
The 25th hit strong resistance around the area of Hill 500; their reserve battalion cleaning the bypassed cliff also suffered heavily. Surprisingly, the Marines noticed that some of the Japanese were carrying Garands, C-rations, and distinctly American jerry cans of water.
The day of inaction allowed replenishment and repair on our support vehicles, and our tank and half-track numbers were substantially improved and the quantity remained sufficient throughout the balance of the campaign. Furthermore we were becoming accustomed to coordinating with them, and the day's advance went smoothly and satisfactorily against light resistance as we skirted the western shore of Magicienne Bay.
- Captain Frederic Stott, 1/24, "Saipan Under Fire"
John Chapin and 3/24 had a ringside seat:
We had a perfect chance to watch a battalion of the 25th making an attack.... It was in action about a quarter of a mile from us, and the whole panorama was spread out before us. They were assaulting Hill 500, the dominant terrain feature of the whole area, and it was apparent that they were running into a solid wall of Jap fire. But, using [artillery] timed fire, smoke, and tanks, they finally stormed to the top and took it. The use of those supporting arms provided a magnificent spectacle. From our vantage point, we could see the timed fire bursting in cave entrances, and moving down the face of the hill as precisely as if... it were going down a stepladder. On the lower levels, the flamethrower tanks were spouting their napalm jets upward into other caves. It was quite a sight!
- John C. Chapin, Breaching the Marianas: The Battle for Saipan
In some places, the front lines advanced 2,700 yards. Morale soared. If they could move this quickly for the next few days, maybe Saipan would be over soon.
The Japanese were not going to lie down quietly.
The remaining tanks in our regiment now consist of six Type CHI and six Type 95, making a total of 12. . . . Even if there are no tanks, we will fight hand to hand. . . . I have resolved that, if I see the enemy, I will take out my sword and slash, slash, slash at him as long as I last, thus ending my life of twenty-four years.
- Tokuzo Matsuya, junior officer, 9th Tank Regiment. Personal diary entry, 20 June 1944
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