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Mt. Tapochao (pronounced Top-a-chow) is the
highest point on Saipan at 1525 feet. By standing on the peak
you can take a visual tour of the entire island. Each time I
visit Tapochao I can't help but think how wonderful it would
have been to watch the Battle of Saipan unfold from that vantage
point. Mt. Tagpochau (another spelling) played an uneventful
role during the battle. Several Marines scaled the cliff on the
front side of the mountain on a recon mission to find out how
well fortified it was. It turned out that the Japanese defenders
moved down the back side of the hill to join in on the battle
at Death Valley. Thus, Mt. Tapochao was captured.
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Looking up from the East coast |
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Tinian Island in background |
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