U.S. Navy Department (June 18, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 56
Our assault troops on Saipan Island have captured Aslito Airdrome and have driven eastward across the island to Magicienne Bay, where we hold the western shore. Two pockets of enemy resistance remain east of Lake Susupe. The enemy continues to counterattack, but all attacks have been successfully repulsed.
Seabees are at work on the airstrips at Aslito Airdrome.
On June 18 (West Longitude Date), our carrier task force providing cover and support for our amphibious force was subjected to a severe aerial attack which continued for several hours.
The attack was successfully repulsed by our carrier aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. Information presently available indicates that only one of our surface units was damaged, and this damage was minor.
It is believed a portion of the enemy planes were carrier‑based, and used nearby shore bases as shuttle points. However, the effectiveness of this procedure was sharply limited by our systematic bombing and strafing of the airfields at Guam and Rota.
It is estimated that more than 300 enemy aircraft were destroyed by our forces during this engagement. No estimate is yet available of our own aircraft losses.