The Reconquest of Guam
Two U.S. Marines Carrying Old Glory on Guam
The invasion force bound for Guam was turned back in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, it returned on July 21, 1944.The Marines landed at Apra Harbor, not far from where the Japanese landed in 1941.Guam was defended by 19,000 troops under the command of General Takashina.At first the Japanese were able to contain the Marines to the Apra Beachhead, but on the night of July 25-26, the Japanese launched a counterattack but they were beaten back.On July 31, the 3rd Marine and 77th Infantry Division advanced northeastwardand began to clear all opposition; by August 10, the had reached the northern end of Guam.This operation cost the Americans 1435 dead and 5646 wounded.Most of the Japanese garrison were killed of commited suicide and after August 10, 8500 were dead.However, some Japanese troops survived to conduct a guerrilla campaign until the end of the war.
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