World War II
Virtual Museum

20mm Cannon Shells.

U.S. 37mm gun crew in combat. Notice bullet holes in its armor.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

Fallen comrade.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

American propaganda leaflet: "A Revolt In 1944!", encouraging Korean laborers in Saipan to revolt against Japanese leaders and surrender to American forces on Saipan. Original and english translation.

Source: unknown.

Armor-Piercing Tank Shell.

Artillery Fuse. The fuse screws into the head of artillery shells, and sparks the explosion upon impact of the shell (except for this one, which was probably a dud).

Displaying the bazooka which knocked out four Japanese light tanks are bazooka men PFC Lauren N. Kahn, left and PFC Lewis M. Nalder. The two Marines fired all their ammunition at Japanese tanks advancing in a counterattack on the night of D+1. Kahn then grabbed some grenades, approached one tank from the side, and tossed the grenade into its open turret. Their action saved a 37mm gun crew, the objective of the tank. The gun crew, with its men wounded, was also out of ammunition.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

A belt buckle from a uniform. Unfortunately, this is probably one of the few remains from the demise of a soldier in the Battle of Saipan.

Demolition team blows cave hideouts in Saipan.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

Newspaper article from Las Vegas Review-Journal, Friday December 30,1994. WWII Japanese-American soldier Bob Hoichi Kubo's recollection of the battle of Saipan, remembered 50 years later.

(Source: Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

The burnt remains of a Japanese World War II rifle.

37mm Cannon Casings and U.S. Grenade.

Japanese soldier and Japanese tank, both stopped in their tracks during an attack on U.S. lines.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

The remains of a dinner plate, charred after the battle.

Exploded artillery casing. Probably exploded by fire in ammunition dump or by incoming artillery explosion.

Field Cannon.

Heavy artillery shell.

Top view of heavy artillery shell.

Japanese aircraft engine and field cannon, on display at American Memorial Park, Saipan.

Japanese anti-aircraft gun, on display at American Memorial Park, Saipan.

Burned-out Japanese tank, on display at American Memorial Park, Saipan.

Front view of burned-out Japanese tank.

Japanese water canteen. Notice shrapnel hole.

Japanese water canteens.

Japanese glass bottles.

Japanese machine gun.

Japanese medicine bottle, pocket-sized.

Japanese "Ni" mortar shell.

Japanese "Ni" mortar shell, bottom view.

Japanese sniper's hat. Usually covered with leaves and twigs for camoflage.

Japanese sniper's hat, inside view.

Japanese tank.

Japanese torpedo.

Rifle shell, large bore.

Rifled lead "belt" blasted loose from naval artillery shell.

Newspaper article from Las Vegas Review-Journal, Friday December 30, 1994. Summary of the battles for the Mariana Islands, 1944.

(Source: Knight-Ridder Newspapers).

U.S. soldiers inspecting a reinforced cave entrance.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

American propaganda leaflet: "Military Top Secret" encouraging Japanese soldiers/citizens to surrender to American forces during Saipan battle, 1944. Original and english translation.

Source: Unknown.

The Navajo Code Talkers were Navajo Indians who served as radiomen, using the Navajo language to send radio messages during the battle. Japanese radio operators could intercept the radio transmissions, but found it impossible to interpret the unusual Navajo language. Click here for the story of the Navajo Code Talkers.

Railway gun on narrow-gauge sugar-cane railroad tracks on hillside above Magicienne Bay - Summer 1944.

Source: Bach, E.R.

Rocket or mortar shell, unexploded.

Classic photo of U.S. soldier pausing for a break while sitting on an unexploded 16 inch naval shell, at Saipan 1944.

From: Breaching The Marianas: The Battle For Saipan. Marines In World War II Commemorative Series. By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.). Published by History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. as part of the U.S. Department of Defense observance of the 50th anniversary of victory in that war.

Marines during the push up Mt. Tapotchau during the Battle of Saipan, 1944.

Source: Delgado, Marvin A.

Three .30 caliber rifle cartridges.

Two U.S. Grenades, unexploded.

U.S. water canteens.

U.S. water canteens.

U.S. flare cartridge casing, and unexploded grenade.

U.S. soldier's helmet.

U.S. soldier's helmet. Note bullet holes.

U.S. helmets.

Remains of U.S. messkit.

U.S. Navy WWII silver coffeepot.