Few can recall with detail what it was like in Tinian in 1945 when it housed the Enola Gay and Bockscar
Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. But author Don Farrell does a decent
Job of reconstructing that era in the Marianas’ history in his new book, “Seabees and Superforts at War: Tinian’s Critical Role in the Ultimate Defeat of Japan.” Out this year, “Seabees and Superforts” is a deeply researched retelling of World War II that pays special attention to the Mariana Islands. Farrell adds important context compiled from the troves of wartime documents, memos and analyses that have been released in the eight decades since the start of the war. Readers who are familiar with the
MILITARY will find themselves in familiar company with Farrell’s diction. Readers less familiar with or less interested in the armed forces should not discount “Seabees and Superforts”, however. Beyond the acronyms and jargon, there are many tales – and even a spot of poetry – worth a read. In “Seabees and Superforts,” Farrell shares supercharged photos of the Marianas from not too long ago. The collated images in the book serve as a grave reminder of the innocent people who were killed on these same islands. Before readers are transported to what Farrell dubs as Japanese Tinian, the author includes a brief review of “Seabees and Superforts” from Robert Underwood, former Guam delegate. Underwood, in his distinct tone, offers an overview of the 500-plus-page book and kudos to Farrell – all in 90 words. In his introduction, Farrell writes, “For one year, Tinian was one of the most important and most valuable pieces of real estate on Earth. In the end, it returned to its position of relative obscurity, but the story of the men and matériel that made the island so important should never be forgotten.” How far back does one go to tell the story of one significant year? For Farrell, he opts to start “Seabees and Superforts” in Tinian in the early 1900s. After walking readers through Magellan’s encounter with the Marianas and World War I, Farrell dives into Tinian’s sugar cane past. Tinian Town, during that time was made up of people mostly from
Japan, Okinawa and Korea, according to Farrell. The infrastructure built then would come in handy for the U.S. armed forces during World War II – as would the remaining sugar cane, albeit at a much smaller scale. Beyond the sugar cane era of Tinian, there is little sweetness to follow in “Seabees and Superforts,” as the book takes readers into the nitty and gritty of battle. Farrell dedicates a fair amount of the beginning of the book to the decision-makers in
Washington, D.C., and
HAWAII. World War II buffs well versed in the early years of the event may be interested in the Marianas' angle Farrell takes in this work. The author also takes time to highlight lesser-known events that made a difference at various points during the war. Readers who are not as well versed in the intricacies of World War II, those who could not be counted on to recall key battles or important dates, will still be served by Farrell’s summaries in the early chapters. Readers who picked up “Seabees and Superforts” more for their interest in the Marianas rather than the military may be uninterested in the particulars laid out in Chapter 3. Similarly, those who sought more U.S. Naval Construction Battalion action may also be hard-pressed to scratch that Seabees itch in Chapter 3. However, the war history enthusiasts who relish in code names and acronyms will delight in the rundown Farrell provides, complete with historic photos. One interesting, possibly unintended, offshoot of this book, is how it illuminates just what is meant by the phrase “strategic location.” That phrase has been repeated by military and civilian leaders countless times over the years. By revisiting the early plans of the war, Farrell takes readers into those closed-door meetings from decades ago, and he shares the notes of presidents, prime ministers and military brass who shaped the history of the islands. In Chapters 4, 5 and 6, “Seabees and Superforts” delves into the historic captures of this region. Farrell’s reporting takes readers to the shores of Guam, Saipan and Tinian; shores that saw bloodshed then and serve as landmarks today. Much is written in these sections about the logistics of war and what it takes to prevail over the opposition. Between the capture of Tinian and the Enola Gay and Bockscar taking off from Tinian, the remaining chapters are the pith of “Seabees and Superforts.” From the ingenuity of U.S. Naval Construction Battalions to the day-to-day life of service members who were oceans away from home to the civilians caught in the crossfire, Farrell provides a laborious portrayal of this momentous time in Tinian. Farrell has written several history books about the islands of the Marianas, and his zeal for memorializing the events of the region is apparent in this latest piece. “Seabees and Superforts” is a notable work of nonfiction worth perusing for those even the tiniest bit curious about that period of time. Find the book for sale at Bestseller bookstores, Jeff’s Pirates Cove or the T. Stell Newman Visitors Center.