Guam-Saipan

Banzai Cliff Sunrise............................Saipan, Northern Marianas<br />
<br />
Dawn spreads its glow across the rugged face of the Banzai Cliff. A lone seabird glides above seas which agitate restlessly against unmoving rock. There is a story here of a cliff which presided over the death of man and which will forever stand guardian over what remains. Once a Japanese war cry “Banzai” is now a memorial to the events of 1944 when hundreds of Japanese civilians, soldiers and others cast themselves from the cliffs of Saipan rather than surrender to US forces. <br />
<br />
Though the seas may churn and agitate, they will never wash away history’s traces. The glow of the rising sun floods over a row of monuments lined up along the upper reaches of the cliff…that we may remember!! The lone white bird seems a fragile symbol of peace against the brooding stone face. A new day!!

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Banzai Cliff Sunrise............................Saipan, Northern Marianas

Dawn spreads its glow across the rugged face of the Banzai Cliff. A lone seabird glides above seas which agitate restlessly against unmoving rock. There is a story here of a cliff which presided over the death of man and which will forever stand guardian over what remains. Once a Japanese war cry “Banzai” is now a memorial to the events of 1944 when hundreds of Japanese civilians, soldiers and others cast themselves from the cliffs of Saipan rather than surrender to US forces.

Though the seas may churn and agitate, they will never wash away history’s traces. The glow of the rising sun floods over a row of monuments lined up along the upper reaches of the cliff…that we may remember!! The lone white bird seems a fragile symbol of peace against the brooding stone face. A new day!!

Saipan Northern Marianas Banzai Cliff Sunrise Memorial Suicide World War II Battle of Saipan 1944

Janthina Images

by jalovell

Guam-Saipan