Japanese ships, hit by U.S. fire, burn in Saipan Harbor.

Japanese ships, hit by U.S. fire, burn in Saipan Harbor. Japanese ships burn in Tanapag Harbor of Saipan Island after being hit by a heavy U.S. artillery barrage preceding capture of the port. American forces smashed the last organized enemy resistance on Saipan, major enemy supply center in the Marianas group of the Central Pacific, on July 8, 1944. The island is less than 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) south of Japan - easy striking distance for American air and sea power - and well within Japan's inner sphere of defenses.