U.S. Navy Department (July 2, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 69
Marine and Army troops on Saipan Island have made small gains in the central sector, and on the right side of our lines advance patrols have forged ahead distances up to a mile. To June 30 (West Longitude Date), eighty enemy tanks have been destroyed or captured. Our troops have buried 6,015 enemy dead and have taken more than 200 prisoners of war.
Seventy tons of bombs were dropped on Truk Atoll by Liberators of the 7th Army Air Force on June 29. Several airborne enemy fighters made ineffective attempts to intercept our force. Meager anti-aircraft fire was encountered. On the same day Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft bombed Ponape and Nauru Islands and remaining enemy objectives in the Marshall Islands.
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 70
The 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the 27th Infantry Division have made gains ranging from 500 yards to a mile along their entire front on Saipan Island. The advance was made during July 1 (West Longitude Date) with the close support of aircraft, artillery, and naval gunfire. On the right flank, our troops are within 5½ miles of the northern tip of the island. On the left flank, our forces have penetrated further into Garapan, and have seized the heights overlooking the town and Tanapag Harbor. In the center, we have occupied the mountain village of Charan Tabute. Large quantities of enemy equipment, including food and ammunition, have fallen into our hands.
Before dawn, on July 1, several enemy aircraft attempted to attack our transports and screening vessels. These attacks did no damage. Two enemy aircraft were shot down.
Liberators of the 7th Army Air Force attacked Truk Atoll on the night of June 30‑July 1. Moderate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Several enemy fighters made an ineffective attempt to attack our force. Army, Navy and Marine aircraft continued attacks against enemy positions in the Marshall islands on June 30. A Dauntless dive bomber of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing was forced to land in the water near Maloelap Atoll, and the pilot VMS rescued by a Catalina search plane of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two.
CINCPAC Press Release No. 465
For Immediate Release
July 2, 1944
The principal components of the expeditionary troops now fighting on Saipan consist of the 2nd Marine Division, the 4th Marine Division and the 27th Infantry Division, USA.