| WHITE BEACH |
July 24, 1944: The Japanese soldiers stationed
at the lightly guarded Unai Babui and Unai Chulu
beaches got a very nasty surprise. As the rising sun
climbed in the sky, they saw a massive invasion
force preparing to land. American forces had
successfully deceived the Japanese forces on Tinian
into believing the invasion would come at Tinian
Harbor, not on these two, obscure beaches on
Tinian's northwest side.
at the lightly guarded Unai Babui and Unai Chulu
beaches got a very nasty surprise. As the rising sun
climbed in the sky, they saw a massive invasion
force preparing to land. American forces had
successfully deceived the Japanese forces on Tinian
into believing the invasion would come at Tinian
Harbor, not on these two, obscure beaches on
Tinian's northwest side.
The Marines designated the Tinian landing beaches as
White Beach 1 and, to the south, White Beach 2. Today,
White Beach 2 (Unai Chulu) is the most easily accessed
beach. At its northern end sits this Japanese pillbox (above).
Inside this very pillbox Japanese soldiers looked out the gun
ports and were startled to see the invasion force landing on
White Beach 1 and, to the south, White Beach 2. Today,
White Beach 2 (Unai Chulu) is the most easily accessed
beach. At its northern end sits this Japanese pillbox (above).
Inside this very pillbox Japanese soldiers looked out the gun
ports and were startled to see the invasion force landing on
these sands. The Japanese had not reinforced these beaches, believing the American forces were going to land
elsewhere. Above right: Viewing my friend Steve on White Beach 2 through the gun port the Japanese forces in
1944 looked out to see the incoming Americans. Photos March, 2006.
elsewhere. Above right: Viewing my friend Steve on White Beach 2 through the gun port the Japanese forces in
1944 looked out to see the incoming Americans. Photos March, 2006.
These three photos show the landings on White Beach 2 in 1944.
Note the lack of enemy fire, especially in the photo at left. The 4th
Marine Division landed virtually unopposed. The Japanese had to bring
forces from elsewhere on island. Official U.S. Gov't photos, 1944.
Note the lack of enemy fire, especially in the photo at left. The 4th
Marine Division landed virtually unopposed. The Japanese had to bring
forces from elsewhere on island. Official U.S. Gov't photos, 1944.
Even today, over 60 years later, the
wreckage of American landing craft sits
rusting on the rocky shores of White Beach 2.
March 2006.
wreckage of American landing craft sits
rusting on the rocky shores of White Beach 2.
March 2006.
Myself on White Beach 2. This is the northern end of the site, looking south. The Japanese pillbox
pictured earlier is out of the photo to the left. I'm on the same shore you see the Marines landing on
in the 1944 Marine Corps pictures above. Photo by Steve Copp, March 2006.
pictured earlier is out of the photo to the left. I'm on the same shore you see the Marines landing on
in the 1944 Marine Corps pictures above. Photo by Steve Copp, March 2006.
Displayed near White Beach 2 is this American LVT-4 "Water Buffalo." This
vehicle was used by the 4th Marine Division men to come ashore. The
"Amtrak's" tracks were equipped with small paddles, allowing it to "swim"
through the sea without a propeller. This LVT-4's tracks are long gone, and the
hollow pontoons on its hull that allowed it to float are collapsed. March 2006.
vehicle was used by the 4th Marine Division men to come ashore. The
"Amtrak's" tracks were equipped with small paddles, allowing it to "swim"
through the sea without a propeller. This LVT-4's tracks are long gone, and the
hollow pontoons on its hull that allowed it to float are collapsed. March 2006.
| BROADWAY |
With its similar shape to Long Island, American G.I.'s
on Tinian gave it many New York names. To this
day the main north-south artery is called Broadway.
Broadway has several historical sites along it,
especially towards the northern end.
Halfway up Broadway from the ferry terminal in
San Jose you'll see this ruin (right). This was
originally the Japanese's Inter-island Radio Complex.
After the U.S. secured the island, Japanese POW's
were quartered here. Well after the war the building
was used as a slaughterhouse by the Bar K Ranch.
Today it is a landmark. If you look close at it as you
stop, you'll see the pock-marks of shells and bullets in
its sides. March 2005 photo.
on Tinian gave it many New York names. To this
day the main north-south artery is called Broadway.
Broadway has several historical sites along it,
especially towards the northern end.
Halfway up Broadway from the ferry terminal in
San Jose you'll see this ruin (right). This was
originally the Japanese's Inter-island Radio Complex.
After the U.S. secured the island, Japanese POW's
were quartered here. Well after the war the building
was used as a slaughterhouse by the Bar K Ranch.
Today it is a landmark. If you look close at it as you
stop, you'll see the pock-marks of shells and bullets in
its sides. March 2005 photo.
When my good friend Michael and
I visited Tinian in March of 2005, we
rented scooters that turned out to be
highly unreliable. I recommend
getting a car instead. At left is a photo
of myself in March 2005, taken by
Mike. That day we had a tropical
system dropping buckets of rain on us.
I visited Tinian in March of 2005, we
rented scooters that turned out to be
highly unreliable. I recommend
getting a car instead. At left is a photo
of myself in March 2005, taken by
Mike. That day we had a tropical
system dropping buckets of rain on us.
Above: Marines of the 4th Marine Division
are pitched and tossed in their low-riding
landing craft as they close in on Tinian.
Official U.S. Marine Corps photo, 1944.
are pitched and tossed in their low-riding
landing craft as they close in on Tinian.
Official U.S. Marine Corps photo, 1944.
