Destroyed German vehicles in Avranches, France, July 1944. (US Army Center of Military History)
All things considered it seems to me the photo is more likely to be of a training exercise on Guadalcanal than an actual landing operation on Guam. That would mean the Times caption is incorrect. If they had the photo on hand since May they knew it was incorrect when they ran it. Hard to believe.
Destroyed German vehicles in Avranches, France, July 1944. (US Army Center of Military History)
Hadn't seen this mentioned:
July 30, 1944: US 6th Division lands on Vogelkop Peninsula on northwest tip of New Guinea.
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/30_july_1944.htm
Daily Chronicle of the Battle for Normandy
Sunday, July 30th 1944
The Germans, who quickly formed a defense line between Cerences and Percy, are attacked at various points. The line, also called “White Line” by the Germans, was formed too quickly and the US fire power opens this barrier easily. The Americans continue their offensive in direction of the South and in particular towards Avranches, the “entry door” towards Brittany, located 50 kilometers in the South of the starting point of the Operation Cobra, started on July 24. The South of Saint-Lo is now controlled by the 2nd Armoured Division and the 30th Infantry Division which continue their progression in the South-east. In the West, Granville is liberated by the soldiers of the 6th Armoured division.
The Infantry divisions (4th, 8th and 79th) which attack in the West, respectively supported by 3rd, 4th and the 6th armoured divisions, liberate Gavray, La Haie-Pesnel, Brehal and Avranches. At the end of the day, the Americans reach, to the South of the offensive, the village of Pontaubault and move towards Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet. The progression is fulgurating: the Germans are submerged and give up their positions. The bridge of Pontaubault, which opens the road towards Brittany, is under American control.
General Patton, chief of the 3rd American Army, is proud of his soldiers. The speed was the key of Operation Cobra and things proceeded as planned. Some offensives, in particular the liberation of Avranches, exceed all the hopes. The Allies can from now on say it: Cobra, despite impressive losses, is a total success. The reports of the losses are as follows: nearly 18,450 American soldiers are out of fight (more than 5,020 of them died) and approximately 15,000 Normans were victims of the bombardments and of the engagements since the beginning of Cobra, that is to say on July 24.
On their side, the British, who face two thirds of the German soldiers located in Normandy, launch a new operation, baptized Bluecoat. Six English Canadians divisions belonging to the 2nd Army led by general Dempsey take part in the offensive which aims at exploiting, on the eastern side of the American forces, the German rout generated by the Operation Cobra. The British attack from Caumont in direction of the eastern area of Vire to the southern area of Villers-Bocage, savagely defended by the Western Panzergruppe led by Eberbach and the 7th German Army of Hausser. At this time, the 1st and the 9th SS Panzer divisions attack in the East of Caen and weaken the British defense lines.
FDR & Party Visit Hickam Field & AIEA Naval Hospital, Hawaii, 07/30/1944 (July 30, 1944)
Naval Photographic Center film #4787. National Archives description “1) MS Roosevelt & party pose on bridge of CA for photograph. 2) MCU Roosevelt, Nimitz & MacArthur in auto. 3) MS Running shot, President”s car caravan underway, troops & sailors lined up on both sides of road. 4) GV Troops, planes land Hickam Field, large formation planes passes. 5) MS Running shot, patients & nurses lined up outside hospital. 6) MS CU Troops march-SV.” National Archives Identifier: 77225
https://archive.org/details/NPC-4787
July 30, 1944 - The US 6th Division (Sibert) lands unopposed on the islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg, off Cape Sansapor. Task Force 78 (Admiral Berkey) provides naval support.
July 30, 1944 - Advancing elements of US 1st Army seize Granville and enter Avranches, capturing bridges over the See River. The left flank is counterattacked by German forces of the 2nd Parachute Corps at Percy and Villedieu.
July 30, 1944 - On Tinian, the main town of Tinian is captured by American forces. The southern half of Guam has been secured by US troops.
http://www.historyorb.com/events/date/1944/july