USS Indianapolis (CA-35) disaster
Indy had started her final wartime cruise in Mare Island, California. Following service as Admiral Spruance's flagship for the Marianas Campaign in the summer of 1944, she was laid up in overhaul for the first half of 1945. In July, she loaded a secret cargo bound for Tinian, in the Marianas, arriving on 26 July. It was later revealed that she had transported parts for the atomic bomb that was to be used in the attack on Hiroshima on August 6th.
Tony Boccia
Iwakuni City
The Kikkawa, whose leader Hiroie had helped foil the Mori Clan's designs to betray Ieyasu at Sekigahara, were given 30,000 goku across Suo Province; much of what is now modern Iwakuni City.
Tony Boccia
ICYMI: Tony's talk on the Battle of Saipan for WW2TV!
Greetings PHG Fans! For those of you interested in the military history of Saipan, check out this talk I gave on WW2TV, regarding the fight for the island in June 1944. I offered my perspective from that of the Japanese defenders on Saipan, specifically the 43rd Infantry Division under Lt. Gen. Saito Yoshitsugu. Having lived in the Marianas, and visited quite a few battlefields and historic sites throughout the islands, I was more than excited to examine the Battle of Saipan
Tony Boccia