OPERATION FORAGER
The fight for the Mariana islands begins with the Battle of Saipan, which sees US Marines encounter fierce enemy resistance. A preliminary bombardment fails to sufficiently damage Japanese artillery emplacements, leading to over 3,500 US casualties on the first day. Saipan is eventually secured by July, followed by the islands of Guam and Tinian. Capture of these islands enables the Americans to launch air strikes against the Japanese mainland.