After weeks of relentless fighting, Saipan fell into American hands. The strategic island of Guam was next, heavily reinforced and waiting. The enemy had fortified every possible landing spot, preparing meticulously for another bloody defense.
Delays added frustration, but also time for crucial adjustments. On July 21, 1944, the Marines finally hit Guam’s beaches under a storm of enemy fire, instantly facing familiar brutality: concealed bunkers, merciless artillery, and a stubborn enemy refusing to yield. Saipan’s scars were fresh, and now Guam promised more of the same. Yet Marines fought forward with grim determination, knowing this island was key to turning American bombers loose against mainland Japan.
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