The Battle of Tinian: The Capture of the Atomic Bomb Island, July-August 1944

On August 6, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress named after the pilot's mother, Enola Gay, took off from a small island in the Pacific Ocean on one of the most important missions in human history. The B-29 carried just one bomb, the target was Hiroshima. The dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and a second nuclear device on Nagasaki three days later is known throughout the world. However, what is often forgotten is that these missions were only possible following the savage battles to seize the Northern Mariana Islands, which were within the B-29's operational range of Japan. With the capture of these islands, the defeat of Hirohito's Imperial Japan became a certainty, as land-based heavy bombers could fly all the way to Tokyo and back. The sparsely populated island of Tinian was turned into the biggest air base in the world, with six runways, four of which were built for the Superfortresses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

On August 6, 1945, at 2:45 AM, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress named after the pilot's mother, Enola Gay, took off from a small island in the Pacific Ocean on one of the most significant missions in human history. The B-29 carried just one bomb, targeting Hiroshima. The dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and a second nuclear device on Nagasaki three days later is known worldwide. However, what is often forgotten is that these missions were only possible following the fierce battles to seize the Northern Mariana Islands, which were within the B-29's operational range of Japan. With the capture of these islands, the defeat of Hirohito's Imperial Japan became a certainty, as land-based heavy bombers could fly all the way to Tokyo and back for the first time in the war.

The sparsely populated island of Tinian was transformed into the world's largest air base. With six runways, four of which were built for the massive Superfortresses, it was from there that atomic destruction of Japan began.

However, before all this, there had been the battle for the island. The preliminary naval bombardment, aerial strikes, and amphibious assault are all documented here, in the words and images of the men who took part in that memorable and ultimately epoch-changing campaign.

Part of this story is another story, that of the warship USS Indianapolis. This Portland-class heavy cruiser was handed a secret mission of the utmost significance to national security: taking the enriched uranium and other vital parts of the atomic weapons to Tinian. Indianapolis succeeded in its mission but was left to return to Pearl Harbor unescorted, resulting in one of the most unfortunate and grisly episodes in US maritime history.

Few stories encapsulate the human cost and sacrifice of World War II as vividly as the story of the USS Indianapolis. The ship's mission was to deliver the atomic bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but it was also tasked with transporting critical components for the development of the United States' nuclear weapons program. On August 2, 1945, the Indianapolis was sailing through the Philippine Sea when it was hit by a Japanese submarine. The submarine fired a torpedo that damaged the ship's engine and caused it to sink rapidly. Despite the efforts of the crew to repair the damage, the Indianapolis continued to sink, and over the next three days, more than 1,000 sailors died in the freezing waters of the Pacific Ocean. The tragedy of the Indianapolis has been largely forgotten over the years, but it remains a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of war. The ship's sinking was a significant loss for the United States Navy, as it was one of the most advanced and powerful warships of its time. The loss of so many sailors also had a profound impact on the families of those who lost their loved ones, and the memory of the Indianapolis continues to inspire acts of heroism and sacrifice. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the story of the Indianapolis, and efforts have been made to honor the memory of the sailors who lost their lives. The ship's wreckage has been located, and a memorial has been erected. The Indianapolis Memorial Museum, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to preserving the memory of the ship and its crew and educating the public about the history of World War II and the role of the United States Navy in the war. The museum features exhibits and artifacts from the ship and its crew, as well as information about the war and the development of nuclear weapons. The story of the USS Indianapolis is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of honoring the memory of those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It is a story that should be remembered and honored for generations to come.

Dimension: 246 x 189 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399085274