330th Area on Saipan

This photo shows the location of various 330th ASG and 73rd Bomb Wing facilities in 1945 after the areas were well developed. The southern shoreline of Saipan is visible along the lower edge of the photo. Service Center B is located the upper edge of the photo.
Map of the 330th ASGs area on Saipan. This map was reconstructed from four individual pages in the 330th's unit records. Many of the locations shown on this map are identified on the preceding graphic of the various 330th ASG and 73rd Bomb Wing facilities in 1945. (Source: 330th ASG Unit Records)

Although the job of a service group is to help run a forward airbase and conduct high-level maintenance and repair of planes, they had to start by building their own facilities when they arrived on Saipan.  At first they lived in two-man pup tents, ate C- and K-rations standing up, and were allowed to drink one canteen of chemically-treated swamp water a day (the taste of which was so bad one member of the 330th said it was “indescribable.”)  Dead Japanese soldiers (and a few live ones too) were in their area when they arrived.

301st Squadron unloading on Saipan 17 Aug 44. The 330th ASG was assigned an area that was a former sugar cane field in which to establish their facilities. The mud and cane stubble they had to contend with is apparent in this photo.
A 330th ASG Supply Dump 21 Aug 44
Another 330th ASG Supply Dump 29 Aug 44
Erecting the 330th ASGs first water permanent tank on 29 Aug 1944. The 330th ASG took maximum advantage of the opportunity to repurpose items found on the island. The Chalon Kanoa Sugar Mill (about 1-1/2 miles west of the 330 ASGs assigned area) was severely damaged during the fighting for Saipan. This water tank, and much of the piping for the water system, were scavenged from the sugar mill's ruins.
The wreckage of the Chalon Kanoa sugar mill after fighting for Saipan was over. During the fighting a Japanese artillery spotter located high in the chimney caused significant difficulties for the marines attacking the area until he was eliminated. When the 330th arrived in August 1944, they scavenged piping and steel tanks from the ruins to form part of their freshwater supply system.
Unidentified soldiers using the 330th ASGs first sitting latrine (Sep 1944). What it lacked in privacy and protection from the weather (and photographers!) was - at least partly - compensated for by the views of the ocean and nearby Tinian. Source: Staff Sergeant George Koeing family photo collection.
By March 1945, the latrine situation had improved dramatically. Source: Staff Sergeant George Koeing family photo collection.
Flag lowering ceremony at the 330th ASG's headquarters in November 1944. Common wisdom within the 330th was that they had installed the first fixed American flagpole on Saipan.
With its style, hand-painted murals, and views of nearby Tinian Island (visible on the horizon), the 330th ASG Chapel was reputed to be the most be beautiful chapel on Saipan. It was designed by men of the unit and built in their off duty time with both spare and "midnight-requisitioned" materials. It was dedicated in February 1945.
Hand painted murals in the 330th ASG Chapel
Prior to the dedication of the Chapel, religious services for the men of the 330th ASG were held in a large tent. This photo of one of these services was likely taken around September 1944.
Interior photo of the religious services tent.