Comes with hand-signed C.O.A.

*This is an extremely rare original captured translation document and is the only one known to exist in relation to Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō final banzai charge order during the Battle of Saipan.

This extremely rare and museum-grade artifact is a 1 of 1 original translation of Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō (斎藤 義次) last battle order message read to Japanese officers and men defending Saipan. Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō’s captured document was translated into this original typed page by the 4th Marine Division. In the typed 4th Marine Division page it states that added context to Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō’s attack order. It states “the intelligence officer of the Japanese 43rd division captured on July 9th, 1944 stated that this message was delivered by Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō (斎藤 義次) at approximately 0800 the morning of July 6th, just prior to the generals death at 1000 that day”.

The below message was read by Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō that detailed the large banzai charge of the Japanese forces against American’s on Saipan.

The Battle of Saipan began on 15 June 1944. Without the 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 archipelago 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 MG’s

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 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, ^the American commander in chief Admiral Turner announced that Saipan was officially secured. Saitō, wounded by shrapnel, need his life in a cave at dawn on 10 July. Saitō was given a funeral with military honors by his American counterpart Holland Smith.