U.S. Marines blast enemy nest on Saipan Island.

U.S. Marines blast enemy nest on Saipan Island. American Marines stand with rifles ready in case any armed Japanese troops escape the effects of demolition charges hurled into an enemy gun nest on Saipan, strategic island in the Marianas group of the Central Pacific. Smoke mushrooms (background) as the charges explode on the enemy strongpoint hidden behind trees on Saipan where all Japanese organized resistance was ended by July 8, 1944. Control of the Marianas island gives the U.S. an air-sea attack base less than 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) from Japan and threatens other links of the entire enemy inner defense shield.