World: Return to Guam

The high-speed offensive of Pacific amphibious forces in the Marianas rolled on last week, engulfing Guam and Tinian.

For 17 days the 25,000 Chamorros on Guam* had quaked in their flimsy thatch houses or hidden in caves while U.S. aircraft, battleships, cruisers and destroy ers rained explosives on the first piece of U.S. territory captured by the Japanese. Liberation was coming, but first a hail of steel.

Thursday broke with a heavy overcast, darkened in patches by rain squalls. The sun tried to pierce the vapors, and a rainbow appeared. At the end of the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!