A Close Encounter: The Marine Landing on Tinian

This is the definitive account of one of World War II's most efficient and overlooked amphibious operations. In July 1944, the US Marines launched their assault on Tinian, a Japanese-held island just three miles from Saipan. What followed was a masterclass in military planning: through clever feints, exhaustive reconnaissance, and innovative tactics including the first combat use of napalm, the Marines secured the island in under a week with remarkably low casualties. Richard Harwood, drawing on official records and participant accounts, details every critical decision: the contentious selection of White Beach, the psychological warfare of the diversionary landing, and the final drive south that broke enemy resistance. The book introduces the commanders who shaped the operation, from Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner to General Clifton B. Cates, while documenting the reconnaissance missions that made success possible. For military history enthusiasts and students of amphibious warfare, this remains an essential work: a granular, authoritative reconstruction of how careful planning and bold execution combined to achieve one of the Pacific War's quickest victories.