WWII Pacific Re-enactment – Saipan Campaign

The American Heritage Museum’s first WWII Pacific Theater re-enactment. Infantry representing Japanese and American forces will clash in this extraordinary living history event. Camps will be set up with authentic gear and appearance. WWII aircraft will fly in the battle (weather permitting).

The Saipan campaign, a pivotal and fiercely contested battle in World War II, unfolded from June 15 to July 9, 1944, as part of the larger Pacific island-hopping strategy employed by Allied forces. Located in the Mariana Islands, Saipan held strategic significance due to its airfields, enabling the United States to establish a crucial forward base for long-range B-29 bomber operations against the Japanese mainland. The campaign witnessed intense fighting between American forces, primarily the U.S. Marines and Army divisions, and the entrenched Japanese defenders. The battle was marked by significant casualties on both sides, with a particularly tragic episode being the mass civilian suicides known as the “Banzai Cliff” incidents. Ultimately, the U.S. emerged victorious, gaining control of Saipan and paving the way for subsequent offensives in the Pacific. The strategic importance of Saipan in facilitating air superiority contributed significantly to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific theater.

Pacific war camps and aircraft will be set up and on display through the day. The battle re-enactment starts around 1 PM.

There will be live flamethrower demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and again at 2:30 PM on the tank movement area just south of the American Heritage Museum.

*Special to Saturday – We will host a talk by Dr. Michael Hirsh called Truman’s Choice – inside the American Heritage Museum from 3 PM to 4 PM. He will talk about the strategy that led to the victory in the Pacific and the gut-wrenching decisions that were made to ensure an Allied victory.

All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more.

There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.

Event Schedule

9:00am – 5:00pm
Gates Open – All museum buildings and grounds open to visitors.
All re-enactor camps open to visitors with discussions and living history demonstrations all day.

9:30am – 4:30pm
World War II Tank & Half Track Rides & Driving – Tank Driving Area
Tank Driving Experiences and Tank Rides aboard the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, & M36 Jackson WWII tanks and WWII M3 Half Track will be taking place all day! Details on pricing available in the center of this program.

10:00am – 4:00pm
War Gaming Demonstrations – Aircraft Hangar
Guides will be demonstrating tabletop strategy war gaming in the aircraft hangar through the day, explaining how games are played and how you can get a start in this unique hobby.

10:00am – 4:00pm
Paint-A-Tank – In Front of American Heritage Museum
For kids of all ages – come to the Paint-a-Tank tent in front of the museum to get a 3D printed tank to paint in the battle colors YOU choose! $5 donation per tank.

11:00am – 11:30am
WWII Flamethrower Demonstration #1 – Tank Operations Area
Developed to attack pillboxes and enemy fortifications that couldn’t be cleared with traditional weapons, the man-portable flamethrower saw extensive use in the Pacific Theater. See this weapon in action at 11am and 2:30pm each day from the hill viewing area next to the American Heritage Museum.

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Battle of Saipan WWII Pacific Battle Re-Enactment – Runway and Re-Enactment Field
A daily battle re-enactment between American and Imperial Japanese forces on the runway and performance field area. Battle will also feature aircraft demonstrations (weather permitting)

2:30pm – 3:00pm
WWII Flamethrower Demonstration #2 – Tank Operations Area
The second daily demonstration of the portable flamethrower as used in the Pacific Theater of WWII.

3:00pm – 4:00pm (Saturday Only)
Speakers Series: Truman’s Choice by Dr. Michael Hirsh – American Heritage Museum
A talk about the strategy that led to the victory in the Pacific and the gut-wrenching decisions made by the Truman Administration that were made to ensure an Allied victory.

5:00pm – All museum grounds and buildings close for the day.

Event Day Admission Tickets

Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$30 Adults  |  $25 Seniors/Veterans  |  $20 Children 16 yrs. and younger
Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required. Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.

Your ticket includes admission for all museums, no additional tickets for the American Heritage Museum necessary.

Buy Tickets Online Today!

Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event by Credit Card or Cash at the entry gate on the access road as well.

Admission for AHM / CF Members

This is a Members Free Event Weekend:  one (1) free admission per day for Individual and Participating Members, two (2) free admissions per day for Dual Members, and two (2) adult and two (2) child free admissions per day for Family Members. No advance ticket purchase required, just bring your VALID membership card or recent membership receipt to the entry gate for proof. You may buy tickets online or at the gate for any additional people in your party.

Tank Rides and Driving Experiences Available

Tank Driving experiences and Tank & Half Track Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited! All donations for ride or drive experiences are tax-deductible donations as the American Heritage Museum is a 501c3 non-profit foundation.

Tank Rides Available:

– M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer (10 minute ride) – $195 per PERSON. Maximum of five (5) seated riders aboard.

– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF THREE (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF TWO (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

Tank Driving Experiences Available:

– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible)

– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible)

Schedule your tank  driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.