Units Involved

1944-07-24 00:00:00 UTC - 1944-08-01 00:00:00 UTC
Outcome: United States victory

The 4th Marine Division landed on 24 July 1944, supported by naval bombardment and marine artillery firing across the strait from Saipan.[1]:72 With the help of Seabee ingenuity the Marines were able to land where the Japanese did not expect, along the Northwest coast with its water's edge small coral cliffs.[3] A successful feint for the major settlement of Tinian Town diverted defenders from the actual landing site on the north of the island.[1]:76 They withstood a series of night counterattacks supported by tanks, and the 2nd Marine Division landed the next day.[1]:80

The weather worsened on 28 July, damaging the pontoon causeways, and interrupting the unloading of supplies.[1]:81 By 29 July, the Americans had captured half the island, and on 30 July the 4th Marine Division occupied Tinian Town and Airfield No. 4.[1]:81

Japanese remnants made a final stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the south portion of the island, making probes and counterattacks into the Marine line.[1]:85 Resistance continued through 3 August, with some civilians murdered by the Japanese.