Antiaircraft Artillery on Saipan

     The following is a PDF reproduction of The Antiaircraft Album of A.P.O. 244.  Since this publication was produced while the war was still in progress, Army censorship rules prohibited the mentioning of locations, dates and specific units throughout this work.  The document, therefore, remains somewhat anonymous - except for the Army Post Office number.  The publication is the work of Captain R.H. Foor, who wrote the text and designed the album.  All photographs are credited to the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

     Captain Foor's well-constructed remembrance chronicles the action, daily life, and recreation of the antiaircraft troops on Saipan.  The military's dealings with the indigenous population is also noted.  A list of fallen and decorated soldiers is included.  The selection of photos is outstanding and defines this record.  The history covers the period from the landings on Saipan (referred to as D-Day, which was June 15, 1944) through the final Japanese air raid on the island. 

     Saipan, in the Mariana Islands, became an important base for B-29 bombers raiding Japan. Antiaircraft defense for this installation was a critical task.  Although this history does not mention AAA units by designation (including the erasure of designations from signs visible in a few of the photographs), the units stationed on Saipan during all or a significant portion of the period covered in the publication were: