Tinian is the third-largest island in the
Marianas chain (after Guam and Saipan,
respectively). Tinian was the last link in
the completion of Operation Forager, the
wresting of the Mariana Islands from
Japan. The Japanese garrisons at Rota,
Aguiguan, Pagan, and the other islands
were bypassed and cut from the Japanese
vine; branches left to wither.
Five miles southwest of Saipan, Tinian
was invaded by a beach-to-beach
amphibious landing. Commenced on the
24th of July, 1944, the Tinian landings
are referred to as the Pacific War's most
"perfectly executed" amphibious
operation.
Marianas chain (after Guam and Saipan,
respectively). Tinian was the last link in
the completion of Operation Forager, the
wresting of the Mariana Islands from
Japan. The Japanese garrisons at Rota,
Aguiguan, Pagan, and the other islands
were bypassed and cut from the Japanese
vine; branches left to wither.
Five miles southwest of Saipan, Tinian
was invaded by a beach-to-beach
amphibious landing. Commenced on the
24th of July, 1944, the Tinian landings
are referred to as the Pacific War's most
"perfectly executed" amphibious
operation.
Like the other smaller Mariana Projects (Projects Saipan & Rota), Project Tinian was not intended to be an
in-depth documentation of Tinian's war history so much as a highlighted look at this historic land. I was able to visit
Tinian twice, once in 2005 and again in 2006. My friend Michael went on the 2005 expedition, and my friend Steve
on the 2006. Michael and I's time in 2005 was severely limited due to the ferry schedule and unreliable scooters we
rented (they kept breaking down). Coupled with a tropical system dumping loads of rain on us, we were only able to
photograph the old Japanese Radio Building and parts of Runway Able. Steve and I flew over, rented a (very reliable)
car, and were able to see much more of the island.
Tinian is easily accessible from Saipan via either ferry or charter flight. As of 2006, the ferry cost about $30 for a
one-way ticket, while a charter flight costs about $60 for a round-trip ticket. The ferry is comfortable, but takes about
an hour, while flying only takes ten minutes. Either way, you'll end up getting taken to the Tinian Dynasty Hotel &
Casino, where you can rent your vehicle.
Tinian's quiet, tropical geography might be changing significantly in the next five or ten years. As the United States
looks to forward-deploy more forces in the western Pacific, the CNMI government is encouraging the DOD to look at
reactivating North Field on Tinian. The CNMI's makes its case on its long-standing political union with the USA, the
large amounts of undeveloped land available for training, and the proximity to possible threats in Asia.
in-depth documentation of Tinian's war history so much as a highlighted look at this historic land. I was able to visit
Tinian twice, once in 2005 and again in 2006. My friend Michael went on the 2005 expedition, and my friend Steve
on the 2006. Michael and I's time in 2005 was severely limited due to the ferry schedule and unreliable scooters we
rented (they kept breaking down). Coupled with a tropical system dumping loads of rain on us, we were only able to
photograph the old Japanese Radio Building and parts of Runway Able. Steve and I flew over, rented a (very reliable)
car, and were able to see much more of the island.
Tinian is easily accessible from Saipan via either ferry or charter flight. As of 2006, the ferry cost about $30 for a
one-way ticket, while a charter flight costs about $60 for a round-trip ticket. The ferry is comfortable, but takes about
an hour, while flying only takes ten minutes. Either way, you'll end up getting taken to the Tinian Dynasty Hotel &
Casino, where you can rent your vehicle.
Tinian's quiet, tropical geography might be changing significantly in the next five or ten years. As the United States
looks to forward-deploy more forces in the western Pacific, the CNMI government is encouraging the DOD to look at
reactivating North Field on Tinian. The CNMI's makes its case on its long-standing political union with the USA, the
large amounts of undeveloped land available for training, and the proximity to possible threats in Asia.
| SAN JOSE |
San Jose is the only "major" village on Tinian. One of its central
landmarks is the old San Jose Church bell tower, which survived the
war's fury (left). The Japanese-built jail (above) is surrounded by
jungle brush, while the main police building (below) shows off its
aged Japanese characters and shell holes (also see below left).
Photos March 2006.
landmarks is the old San Jose Church bell tower, which survived the
war's fury (left). The Japanese-built jail (above) is surrounded by
jungle brush, while the main police building (below) shows off its
aged Japanese characters and shell holes (also see below left).
Photos March 2006.
Another abandoned relic that is repeatedly
swallowed by thick brush in the middle of San
Jose is the old Japanese Fire Station. March '06.
swallowed by thick brush in the middle of San
Jose is the old Japanese Fire Station. March '06.
In southwesterd San Jose is the ice storage house of the old
Japanese Nanyo Kohatsu Kaisha (NKK) sugarmill along with some
other WWII military relics (above and right). The site of the NKK
ice storage building is across the street from the House of Taga, an
ancient Chamorro site. This is one of the sites where the largest Latte
Stones in the Marinas (quarried down on Rota) were set up (below).
Photos March 2006.
Japanese Nanyo Kohatsu Kaisha (NKK) sugarmill along with some
other WWII military relics (above and right). The site of the NKK
ice storage building is across the street from the House of Taga, an
ancient Chamorro site. This is one of the sites where the largest Latte
Stones in the Marinas (quarried down on Rota) were set up (below).
Photos March 2006.
The House of Taga site also hosts the Japanese (above)
and Okinawan (right) monuments. March 2006.
and Okinawan (right) monuments. March 2006.
| WEST FIELD |
The modern Tinian International Airport is the modern
incarnation of West Field, which itself was the captured
Japanese Kahit Airfield. West Field was used by both the U.S.
Navy and the U.S. Army Air Force's 58th Bomb Wing. West
Field commenced operations as a U.S. airfield on April 4, 1945.
Navy Seabees built three runways, two for the giant B-29
bombers, and a third for smaller aircraft. This third runway is
the one the airport still uses today.
The old Navy and Army Air Force buildings remains are
nearby and can be explored. On the grounds of the airport are
several pieces of military equipment and monument markers to
the Navy and Army Air Force units based here.
incarnation of West Field, which itself was the captured
Japanese Kahit Airfield. West Field was used by both the U.S.
Navy and the U.S. Army Air Force's 58th Bomb Wing. West
Field commenced operations as a U.S. airfield on April 4, 1945.
Navy Seabees built three runways, two for the giant B-29
bombers, and a third for smaller aircraft. This third runway is
the one the airport still uses today.
The old Navy and Army Air Force buildings remains are
nearby and can be explored. On the grounds of the airport are
several pieces of military equipment and monument markers to
the Navy and Army Air Force units based here.
Above; This 1905 British-built 6" naval gun
used to be located in a position southeast of
old Tinian Town (modern San Jose). This
weapon is one of those that inflicted serious
damage on the battleship USS Colorado (BB
45) and the destroyer USS Norman Scott (DD
690) on the first day of the Tinian landings.
March 2006.
used to be located in a position southeast of
old Tinian Town (modern San Jose). This
weapon is one of those that inflicted serious
damage on the battleship USS Colorado (BB
45) and the destroyer USS Norman Scott (DD
690) on the first day of the Tinian landings.
March 2006.
Japanese guns and an
aircraft tire on display
outside the Tinian Air-
port (above). Markers
commemorate the
USAAF's 58th Bomb
Wing (left), and the
Navy's VPB-116 (right).
March, 2006.
aircraft tire on display
outside the Tinian Air-
port (above). Markers
commemorate the
USAAF's 58th Bomb
Wing (left), and the
Navy's VPB-116 (right).
March, 2006.