PLAN TO WADE IN & WALK THE “BLOODY” BEACHES OF TARAWA WITH MHT IN 2024!
History Flight’s efforts on body recovery on Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands has renewed interest in the Battle of Tarawa. MHT will get back next Summer to honor the more than 1,000 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in taking this tiny atoll from Imperial Japanese Naval forces that invaded the Gilberts on 10 Dec 1941. Come back with us as we commemorate the brave Marines of the 2nd Marine Division, the sailors and corpsman who liberated the island on 20-23 Nov 1943.
Tour Leader: Col Joe Mueller, USMC(Ret)
Join MHT as we commemorate the Invasion of Tarawa on 20 Nov 1943. The Japanese occupied Tarawa just two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following an August 1942 raid by U.S. Marines on Makin to deflect attention from the invasion of Guadalcanal, Japanese Imperial forces fortified the tiny islet of Betio with big guns, bunkers, pillboxes, mines and barbed wire. In November 1943, U.S. Army troops took the island of Makin, while the Marines engaged an entrenched and determined enemy on Betio. The brutal, 76-hour struggle for Tarawa resulted in more than 3,000 Marine casualties and some 5,000 Japanese dead. The hard-fought battle was the first full-scale amphibious assault against a fortified target and taught valuable lessons for the rest of the American island-hopping campaign to defeat Japan.
We are pleased to bring you this in-depth approach that includes extensive pre-departure research, utilizing a vast resource of maps and other source material, ensuring the finest possible experience. The Tour Leader for this program is among the most knowledgeable on this subject. In-depth, but easily understood, briefings are conducted on each battle and other historic sites. For those wanting to go into more detail, the onsite staff is always available.
Participants are invited to contribute by sharing their personal knowledge and expertise as we walk the battlefields. Ample time is allowed for personal exploration and sightseeing. Since we come close to many places of great historical interest, we will include stops at some of these, depending on available time and group interest.
All of these things will make your trip the most enjoyable, relaxing, entertaining and educational experience possible. Discuss this expedition with our Battlefield Specialists at 703-590-1295,M-F 10AM-4:00PM or e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tour Prices:
Full Tour: $ 1,695
Prices Based On Double Occupancy (BODO)
Single Supplement: No Added Cost (depending on availability)
Tour Price Includes:
* Three Night Hotel Accommodations on Tarawa
* Breakfast & Lunch
* Motorcoach and Driver
* Trip Kit containing tour ball cap, bag tags, name badge and travel info
* Local Taxes & Land Access Fees Paid
* Admission fees to all sites, museums, and special attractions listed
Daily Itinerary
(Day 1-2, Sat & Sun 27 – 28 Jul) Depart LAX
Depart Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) aboard an Fiji Airways flight (FJ811) at 11:00PM for Fiji. Cross International Dateline and lose a day.
(Day 3, Mon 29 Jul) Arrive FIJI/Transfer to TARAWA
5:45AM Arrive Nadi, Fiji Islands. You have a short layover before your 7:30AM departure from Nadi International Airport via FJ 231 for your three hour flight to the island of Tarawa. Upon arrival, 10:35AM we transfer to our hotel for lunch and check-in. Day free to enjoy the varied resort activities and relax after our flight. Meals: (L)
Hotel: George
The Restaurant is open air. Nice Bar/Lounge. Each room has individually controlled air-conditioning units, private bathrooms and a refrigerator. Rooms are simple but adequate.
(Day 4, Tue 30 Jul) TARAWA
Following breakfast, we head south along the causeway road to Betio, for our first view and orientation of the island. We have a full day walking tour of the battlefield at Betio. We begin our exploration with a walk out to the site of the main pier - the target for the initial landing by Lieutenants Hawkins and Leslie and their combined assault platoon. After lunch, we continue our walking tour with visits starting on the left flank and Red Beach 3 and the Burns-Philp Wharf, continuing west to Red Beach 1 & 2, and Green Beach. Overnight Hotel: George Meals: (B & L)
(Day 5, Wed 31 Jul) TARAWA
After breakfast we continue with our walking tour making it the most comprehensive exploration of the island you could experience We explore each phase of the battlefield, visiting sites such as Admiral Shibasaki’s headquarters, the well-known 8-inch Vickers Guns on the “Bird’s Beak”, and the remains from the battle all over the island. Overnight. Hotel: George Meals: (B & L)
(Day 6, Thur 1 Aug) Depart TARAWA
After a leisurely morning checkout we transfer to the airport for our 11:50AM departure via FJ 230. Arrive Nadi 3:05pm. Meals: (B)
For those heading home: Catch Fiji Airways FJ230 at 9:40PM to arrive at LAX at 12:55PM same day.
For those heading on to Guadalcanal:
Check into Fiji Hotel
(Day 7-8, 2 & 3 Aug) Rest Days on Fiji to enjoy the pool & beach.
(Day 9, 4 Aug) Depart hotel in morning. Meet main body & depart on Niugini Airways at 8:15AM to arrive at “Henderson Field" by 10:15AM.
Optional Stopover at Fiji on way home
Nadi, Fiji Islands
Fiji Airways now flies daily from Nadi to Los Angeles, so a stopover for any length of time is possible.
Room Cost: $150 per night single occupancy or $100 per night per person for twin share occupancy.
Includes round trip airport/hotel transfers; hotel accommodations at the Tokatoka Hotel near Nadi Airport or similar; local taxes; Costs are per person, twin share. Cost & a half for single occupancy. Beachfront hotels also available upon request, but quite a bit more expensive.
Does not include airline stop-over fees, about $100 per person.
"Bloody Tarawa" Tour (27 Jul - 1 Aug 2024)
- Product Code: 2407-PAC-TAR
- Availability: In Stock
-
$1,695.00