forces were relentlessly advancing northwards. No further mention of Saipan was made following the final battle on 7 July, which was not initially reported to the public. However, after Tōjō's resignation on 18 July, an accurate, almost day-by-day, account of the defeat on Saipan was published jointly by the Army and Navy. It mentioned the near total loss of all Japanese soldiers and civilians on the island and the use of "human bullets". The reports had a devastating effect on Japanese opinion; mass suicides were now seen as defeat, not evidence of an "Imperial Way". This was the first time Japanese forces had accurately been depicted in a battle since Midway, which had been proclaimed a victory. On 16 July US forces began the bombardment of the nearby island of Tinian as a prelude to the successful Battle of Tinian (24 July-1 August). Memorial Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff, along with a number of surviving isolated Japanese fortifications, are recognized as historic sites on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The cliffs are also part of the National Historic Landmark District Landing Beaches; Aslito/Isley Field; & Marpi Point, Saipan Island, which also includes the American landing beaches, the B-29 runways of Isley Field, and the surviving Japanese infrastructure of the Aslito and Marpi Point airfields. The American Memorial Park on Saipan commemorates the U.S. and Mariana veterans of the Mariana Islands campaign. See also Battle of Saipan order of battle Maritime Heritage Trail – Battle of Saipan Notes References Further reading Books – Firsthand account of naval gunfire support by a crewmember of USS Maryland. Web Saipan – a 2nd Marine Division pamphlet describing certain expected features of the invasion and combat, including the presence of a large civilian population. Breaching the Marianas: The Battle for Saipan (Marines in World War II Commemorative Series) Banzai charge in Saipan: Gyokusai Suicide for the Emperor? SMU's Frank J. Davis World War II Photographs contain 129 images of Saipan, including 18 images depicting the surrender of the famous "hold-out" Japanese forces under the command of Captain Oba in December 1945 External links Small Unit Actions: The Fight on Tanapag Plain; 27th Division 6 July 1944 Battles and operations of World War II involving Japan Saipan History of the Northern Mariana Islands June 1944 events July 1944 events Mass suicides Saipan Saipan United States Army in World War II United States Marine Corps