SUICIDE CLIFF

PICTURED ARE THE FAMOUS SUICIDE CLIFFS, SAIPAN
This huge rock outcrop was the scene of terrible carnage as WWII was drawing to a close on these islands. The island not only had Japanese soldiers and military personnel occupying the island but thousands of Japanese and local civilians also. As U.S. forces moved inland gaining control of the island the civilian population was terrified, they were told by the Japanese military they would be tortured, murdered and even eaten by the terrible American G.I.'s. This created a terrible panic among the Japanese civilian population causing then to stampede to the cliffs and jump off by the hundreds, women tied their babies and small children to their bodies so they were sure to die too. Endless horror stories derived from these now serene and tranquil cliffs. Not to forget the local civilians, they mostly hid, hunkered down in tunnels and caves to be finally rescued by the G.I.'s....Only 60 some years ago, this all took place right here, on this now pristine and stoic rock cliff. The bombs, mortars, bullets and the screams, yes the screams, are now silent, but will never be forgotten. ..........GED.........