Japanese troops had been instructed not to fire on the American landing forces but instead watch and wait for them, mostly in Shuri, a rugged area of southern Okinawa where General Ushijima had set up a triangle of defensive positions known as the Shuri Defense Line. What they didn’t know was the Japanese Imperial Army had them just where they wanted them. The military force also included an unknown number of conscripted civilians and unarmed Home Guards known as Boeitai.Īs they moved inland, American troops wondered when and where they’d finally encounter enemy resistance. Japan’s 32nd Army, some 130,000 men strong and commanded by Lt. The troops quickly secured both Kadena and Yontan airfields. Wave after wave of troops, tanks, ammunition and supplies went ashore almost effortlessly within hours. On D-Day along the shores of northern France, American troops fought hard for every inch of beachhead-but troops landing on Okinawa’s beaches surged inland with little resistance.

But the Fifth Fleet’s offensive onslaught was almost pointless and landing troops could have literally swum to shore-surprisingly, the expected mass of awaiting Japanese troops wasn’t there. Soldiers and Army brass alike expected the beach landings to be a massacre worse than D-Day. On the M56's part, blessed with superior camouflage and a pin-point accurate gun, it can pummel its enemies from afar and disappear to find another shooting position.As dawn arrived on April 1, morale was low among American troops as the Fifth Fleet launched the largest bombardment ever to support a troop landing to soften Japanese defenses. Even after such a long time in the game, this veteran can easily hold its ground and smack any opponent to take a big chunk of their health points. With a thick turret and a massive boomstick, the T34 is a truly fearsome vehicle. Its objective? You guessed it: Saipan, an island from which the Americans could launch airstrikes against Japan. We have asked our friends from Extra Credits to tell us the story of this decisive yet sorrowful battle.Īs the battle of Saipan is known for being the largest tank conflict of the Pacific Theater, we have selected a few American tanks for our newest offers! Take a look at the bundles below if you'd like to take one for a spin, and with episode two we will be highlighting the Japanese vehicles. Forever in the shadow of the great Overlord Operation, the Battle of Saipan was launched 24 hours before D-Day.

Largest tank battle in ww2 saipan