Flametree Hill stood directly in the path of the 2nd Marine Regiment, driving up Saipan’s western shore toward the capital of Garapan. A small Japanese force had dug itself into the hill’s many caves, under the camouflage of the many orange-red flame trees covering the slopes. From there, they rained down automatic weapons fire on Marines trying to edge past and enter the town, then race back into their caves before Marine artillery could catch them in the open. Yet the hill would have to be secured before Garapan could be attacked.

Saipan marked the first use of the VT fuze in ground combat. The Japanese came out of their caves, only to find a devastating barrage of shells that exploded just above the ground (thanks to that proximity fuze). The Marines drove off or killed the handful of dazed survivors, opening their path to Garapan.