10-100 Garand Picture of the Day - Guam

[Mark in Rochester]

Medics helping wounded G.I.s during WWII action on Orote Pennisula.
Location: Guam
Date taken: 1944
Photographer: W. Eugene Smith




Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for an attacker. On July 21 the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to cut off the airfield. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, but by 09:00 tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft.



Point Udall was the site of an airfield before and during World War II. It was built by the United States, later abandoned, and taken over by the Japanese during the first Battle of Guam on December 8, 1941, the day after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. During the second Battle of Guam, the airfield was attacked from the air and American troops established their beachhead on either side of the Orote Peninsula on July 21 in order to cut the airfield. The airfield was captured by July 30

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