Yoshitsugu Saitō

Biography

A native of Tokyo, Saitō graduated from the 24th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1912 as a cavalryman. He served in combat very briefly at the very end of the Russo-Japanese War. He graduated from the 36th class of the Army Staff College in 1924. He rose steadily through the ranks with various cavalry regiments in a largely undistinguished career.

In 1938, he became Chief of Staff of the IJA 5th Division, and was promoted to major general the following year when he was reassigned to the Kwangtung Army as chief of cavalry operations. He became a lieutenant general in 1942.

In April 1944, Saitō was appointed commander of the IJA 43rd Division at the time of its deployment to Saipan. As Japan had lost control of the sea lanes by this time in the Pacific War, the division suffered heavy casualties due to submarine attacks on its transports during the move. Saitō was overall commander of all Japanese forces on Saipan. Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, commander of the Central Pacific Area Fleet was also on the island, and was consulted frequently by Saitō.

The Battle of Saipan began on 15 June 1944. Without possibility of resupply, the situation was hopeless for the defenders, but Saito was determined to fight to the last man, as he was aware that the fall of Saipan would place the Japanese home islands within range of American strategic bombers. The Japanese used the many caves in the volcanic landscape to delay the attackers, by hiding during the day and making sorties at night. The Americans gradually developed tactics for clearing the caves by using flamethrower teams supported by artillery and machine guns. On July 6, he called for a gyokusai saying roughly "Whether we attack or whether we stay where we are, there is only death. However, in death there is life. I will advance with you to deliver another blow to the american devils and leave my bones on Saipan as a fortress of the Pacific". By 7 July, the Japanese had nowhere to retreat. Over Nagumo's objections, Saito made plans for a final suicidal banzai charge. On the fate of the remaining civilians on the island, Saitō said, "There is no longer any distinction between civilians and troops. It would be better for them to join in the attack with bamboo spears than be captured." But by 16:15 on 9 July, American commander in chief Admiral Turner announced that Saipan was officially secured. Saitō, wounded by shrapnel, committed ritual suicide in a cave at dawn on 10 July, with his adjutant shooting him in the head after he had disemboweled himself. Saitō was given a funeral with military honors by his American counterpart Holland Smith.