65th Commemoration of the Atomic Bomb Missions - Tinian & Saipan
Exclusive Pacific Battlefield Tours of the WWII Pacific Island Campaigns
as seen on HBO's The Pacific
31 July - 8 August 2010
Tour Leader: LtCol John Powell
Deep in the recesses of the National Archives in Washington, D.C., hidden for nearly four decades lie thousands of pages of yellowing and dusty documents stamped "Top Secret". These documents, now declassified, are the plans for Operation Downfall, the invasion of Japan during World War II. Had Downfall come about, the Japanese defenders would have been the hard core of the home army. These troops were well-fed and well equipped. They were familiar with the terrain, had stockpiles of arms and ammunition, and had developed an effective system of transportation and supply almost invisible from the air. Many of these Japanese troops were the elite of the army, and they were swollen with a fanatical fighting spirit. The Japanese civilian population, inflamed by a national slogan - "One Hundred Million Will Die for the Emperor and Nation" - were prepared to fight to the death. At the early stage of the invasion, 1,000 Japanese and American soldiers would be dying every hour.
The invasion of Japan never became a reality because on August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was exploded over Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Within days the war with Japan was at a close. Had these bombs not been dropped and had the invasion been launched as scheduled, combat casualties in Japan would have been at a minimum of the tens of thousands. Every foot of Japanese soil would have been paid for by Japanese and American lives. In retrospect, the 1 million American men who were to be the casualties of the invasion, were instead lucky enough to survive the war. Intelligence studies and military estimates made 50 years ago, indicate that the battle for Japan might well have resulted in the biggest blood-bath in the history of modern warfare.
The world was spared the cost of Operation Downfall, however, because Japan formally surrendered to the United Nations September 2, 1945, and World War II was over thanks to the Atomic Bomb Missions of August 1945.
Travel back with Military historical tours to Tinian where the 2nd & 4th Marine Divisions landed on 24 July 1944 to capture what would become the busiest air complex in the Pacific and from where the war would be concluded by the B-29 SuperFortresses Enola Gay & Bockscar who would deliver the Big Boy & Fat Man in 1945. We will stay in the modern Tinian Dynasty Casino Resort on Tinian. Besides participating in the Atomic Bomb Mission Commemoration on Tinian we will also travel to Saipan where you will awaken to the lush, tropical setting of the Pacific Island Club Resort overlooking a beautiful beach, and coral reefs beyond. You will be located on the very beaches on which the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions landed on 15 June 1944 and the Army's 27th Infantry Division the next day. Travel back with MHT to honor those who helped end the war and those who paved the way for the final defeat of Japan by capturing the important airfields during these two fierce island battles.
DAILY ITINERARY
30 Jul Friday
Arrive Los Angeles for overnight. (Make your own hotel reservations. MHT has reserved a block of rooms @ Sheraton 4 Points 310-645-4600.) You will meet your Tour Leaders and receive a group briefing on your trip.
31 Aug Saturday (Day 1)
Depart Los Angeles for Saipan (connecting flights in Hawaii and Guam). (Cross International Dateline - lose a day.)
1 Aug Sunday (Day 2)
Arrive Saipan in evening with a traditional Saipan island welcome. Check into the Pacific Island Club hotel and relax remainder of evening.
Lodging: Pacific Islands Club (PIC)
Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) provided (in-fight).
2 Aug Monday (Day 3)
After a buffet breakfast, we begin a full day WWII history tour of Saipan with local and MHT guides. We start on the 2nd and 4th Marine Division landing beaches where you can feel how exposed the Marines were to Japanese observers on Mt Tapotchau towering 1500 feet above us. We will follow the progression of the battle south to Aslito (now Isley) Airfield Complex . Here, next to the runway we landed on (the same one used by the first B-29 strike on Tokyo), we will explore the B-29 hardstands, Japanese bomb magazines and assembled battlefield relicts. Lodging: PIC B, L, and beach-side Welcome Aboard Dinner (D) provided.
3 Aug Tuesday (Day 4)
This morning we will conduct a memorial service and veterans recognition to remember the initial assault on the island by US forces which led to the liberation of the island. This afternoon we will continue retracing the battle up the west side of the island. You will see the Japanese bunkers defending the beaches and a Japanese tank on display. We will observe the turrets of American Sherman tanks visible in the surf offshore from the Sugar Plantation/Refinery Dock. From there we proceed to Hill 500 and Death Valley. After a trip to the top of suicide cliffs, we will see Harikiri Gulch, Prudential Hill, Paradise Valley, the northern invasion beaches and the Last Command Post.. As we proceed south, we will also stop at the old Japanese jail…was Amelia Earhart ever a prisoner here?
Lodging: PIC, B, L.
4 Aug Wednesday (Day 5)
After breakfast, we will visit the CNMI museum, followed by the new Visitors Center and Gift Shop, and visit any additional historic sites requested by the veterans. We depart for Tinian by air. We will circle the island and marvel at the small invasion beach and the B-29 runways clearly visible from the air. You will land at the former B-29 West Field, home of the 58th Bomb Wing, (where the present Tinian Airport is located) After a driving tour of Tinian Town and stop to see the local island relics on display we then check into the Tinian Dynasty Resort Hotel. Lodging: Tinian Dynasty B, L
5 Aug Thursday (Day 6)
We begin after breakfast with the Atomic Mission Symposium at the hotel and then head up Broadway, the street name still adorning the Seabee constructed road to the north. You will walk the small, narrow invasion beaches where the Marine landings surprised the Japanese defenders and see pillboxes and the rusted hulk of a landing craft. From the high ground on the southern end of the island, you will look down on Tinian Town and the harbor. This was the last landfall seen by the crew of the ill-fated USS Indianapolis, after delivering the components for the atomic bombs. Nearby are the imposing "suicide cliffs" where hundreds of Japanese, Okinawan and Korean civilians perished. Lodging: Tinian Dynasty B, L
6 Aug Friday (Day 7)
After breakfast we head north to the now abandoned North Field of the 313th Bomb Wing and the 509th Composite Group (Atomic). In 1944-45 these airfields contained hundreds of B-29 bombers and tens of thousands of airmen and support troops. It is here we will have the Ceremony Commemorating the Atomic Mission on this day 65 years earlier. You will visit the "bomb pits" where the atomic bombs were loaded and see Runway Able from which the Enola Gay took off for Hiroshima and Bockscar took off for Nagasaki. Old concrete Japanese headquarters buildings, bomb shelters, and parking ramps still remain. After our full day we return to the hotel to prepare for the Special Commemoration Dinner hosted by the Mayor of Tinian. Lodging: Tinian Dynasty B, L, D.
7 Aug Saturday (Day 8)
After breakfast we fly to Guam and have the afternoon free at the beautiful Outrigger Resort Hotel on Tumon Bay. Lodging: Outrigger , B,L.
8 Aug Sunday (Day 9)
Early morning departure from Guam to Mainland US. (Cross International Dateline - gain a day.) Arrive in Hawaii in late afternoon for connecting flight to Los Angeles. Arrive Los Angeles early morning, 8 Aug.
Tour Price per person: $3,895 (based on double occupancy)
Tour boarding from Hawaii: $3,450
Single Supplement: $ 495
Tinian Only Price: $2,995
Single Supplement: $ 175
Tour Price Includes:
* Round-trip economy class airfare between Los Angeles and Saipan via our partner Continental Airlines.
* Deluxe Hotel Accommodations - Tinian Dynasty & Pacific Island Club Saipan
* Air-conditioned deluxe motorcoach
* Meals as indicated in itinerary
* Historical Trip information packet, containing maps & information pertaining to our tour.
* Admission fees to all sites, museums and special attractions listed
* Services of experienced Tour Leaders
GUAM POST TOUR 8 – 10 August
Day 1, 8 Aug: After breakfast we start our exploration of Guam with Historical Tour of Andersen Air force Base to include the museum, and the Arc Light Memorial with lunch at the “Top of the Rock. Remainder of afternoon at leisure. B, L.
Day 2, 9 Aug: Full day touring the southern part of the island including Asan Beach and Overlook, Agat Point, the museum, and the War Dog Memorial. Late lunch at the famous “Jeff’s Pirates Cove. B, L.
Day 3, 10 Aug: Depart for the mainland in the early morning, and arrive the same day. (Optional Hawaii layover available.)
Post Tour Price $ 450
Single Room Supplement $ 195
Tour Includes:
Deluxe Hotel accommodations on Guam at the Outrigger Resort
Meals as indicated on the itinerary
Deluxe air conditioned motor coach transportation
Roundtrip airport transfers
Battlefield tours
